Gospel of Matthew Chapter 3 Vs. 11

 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:”

water unto repentance... Ten reasons forgiveness is not by water:

1.The word "unto" is Greek: eis, a preposition translated "for" (because of, by reason of, on account of) in Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38. Eis is translated "for" (because of) 140 times; "on" 58 times; and "upon" 25 times. It appears in "for this same purpose" (Rom. 9:17; Col. 4:8); "for this cause" (John 18:37; 1Pet. 4:6); "for this purpose" (Acts 26:16; 1Jhn. 3:8); and "for that intent" (Acts 9:21).

2. On all occasions confession of sins was required and was made before baptism (Mat. 3:8, 3:11; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:8-14).

3. Only believers were baptized after repentance and faith in Christ (Mat. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:28, 2:41; 8:12-13, 8:37; 16:14-15, 16:31-33; 18:8; 19:1-7), and, in some cases, after receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18; 10:44-48).

4. Christ who knew no sin was baptized. Christ submitted to baptism for two reasons:

(1) To fulfill righteousness (Mat. 3:15)

(2) To be manifest to Israel (John 1:31)

5. Baptism is only a symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1Pet. 3:21).

6. It’s not essential to salvation (2Cor. 1:13-21).

7. Faith in the blood of Christ brings remission of sins (Mat. 26:28; Rom. 3:24-25; 4:1-25; 5:1-11; 8:2; 10:4-10; 1Cor. 15:1-5; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-9; Gal. 3:19-29; John 3:16; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 1Cor. 1:18-21; 1Jhn. 1:9; 5:1).

8. Old Testament saints, including John and all in Luke 1:15, 1:41, 1:46, 1:67; 2:25-38 who were filled with the Spirit, were saved without water baptism.

9. Christ forgave sins without baptism (Mat. 9:1-7; Luke 7:36-50; 18:9-14; 19:1-9; 23:43; John 4:49-53; 7:31; 8:30-31; 11:45; 12:11, 12:42; Acts 3:1-11, 3:16; 4:10-12; etc.).

10. It does not put away the filth of the flesh (1Pet. 3:21).

shall baptize you... See John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8.

Three types of baptism are referred to here:

1. With water from repentance. John’s baptism symbolized cleansing;

2. With the Holy Spirit. All believers in Christ are Spirit-baptized (1Cor. 12:13);

3. With … fire. Because fire is used throughout this context as a means of judgment (verses 10, 12), this must speak of a baptism of judgment upon the unrepentant.

John was saying, truly my baptism (baptism of repentance), is important, you must repent; but there is a better baptism (baptism of the Spirit), that is the earnest of the Spirit (2Cor. 1:22). He was saying, when you receive this baptism of the Holy Ghost, it will set you on fire for God.

The relationship of John the Baptist to the coming Messiah was clearly seen. John believed he was not even worthy to carry (or untie) the sandals of the Coming One. John was simply an introducer who was preparing a remnant for the Messiah, and who was baptizing in water those who responded. The Coming One would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Those hearing John’s words would have been reminded of two Old Testament prophecies: Joel 2:28-29 and Mal. 3:2-5. Joel had given the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel. An actual outpouring of the Spirit did occur in Acts 2:1-47 on the day of Pentecost, but experientially Israel did not enter into the benefits of that event.