Gospel of Mark Chapter 1 Vs. 8

 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Mark 1:8 “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

I and he are emphatic, stressing the contrast. John has a vital function, but Jesus has an even greater one. As John was used by God to administer immersion in water, Jesus will serve to bring men under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

baptized you with... This takes place when a person comes to faith in Christ (see notes on Acts 1:5; 8:16-17; 1 Cor. 12:13).

with. Greek: en, in. John baptized in water, but Jesus baptizes His followers in the Holy Ghost

You can easily see from this that the baptism of repentance, which John the Baptist baptized with, was not the same baptism. John’s baptism is of water, and Jesus’ baptism is of fire of the Holy Ghost.

That Christ did this because He was God and that such demonstrated His divinity is not the true biblical teaching. He did all His works by the full anointing of the Spirit, not by His divine nature (Isa. 11:2; 42:1-7; 61:1-2; Mat. 3:16-17; John 3:34; Acts 10:38). All men are partakers of the divine nature at the new birth (2Pet. 1:4), and that does not give them such power. It is only as they receive the Spirit baptism and the gifts of the Spirit that they can receive such power (1Cor. 12:4-11; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8).

Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”

We see the explanation of this baptism (in Acts 19:2-6).

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” “And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.” “Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” “When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” “And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

Ten Proofs Spirit Baptism Is for All:

1. John predicted that Christ would baptize all people (Mat. 3:11; John 1:33).

2. Jesus promised it to everyone who would believe in Him (John 7:37-39).

3. Jesus promised the Spirit to all children of God who would ask Him (Luke 11:9-13).

4. Jesus commanded all men to tarry until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke24:49; Acts 1:4-8).

5. Jesus promised His power and anointing to every believer (Acts 1:4-8; John 14:12; Mark 16:17-18).

6. Peter promised it to all men (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32).

7. Peter predicted that it would be given to all men in the last days (Acts 2:16-21).

8. Jesus died that all men might have it (Gal. 3:13-14). The promised Spirit in Gal. 3:14 is the same as in John 7:37-39; 14:16-17, 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-15; Acts 1:4-8; 2:38-39).

9. The early church expected all believers to receive it and saw to it that they did get it (Acts 8:14-18; 9:17; 19:1-6).

10.That all the above applies to Gentiles as well as to Jews is clear in Mat. 3:11; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:16-21, 2:38-39; 5:32; 10:44-48; 11:14-18; 15:7-11; Gal. 3:13-14; Rom. 10:12.

Nay, he taught that all his work was but superficial, a baptism with water to reach the surface of men’s life, to check, at the most, exaction and violence and neglect of the wants of others, while the Greater One should baptize with the Holy Ghost, should pierce the depths of human nature, and thoroughly purge His floor.

This verse contrasts I with He. John administered the outward sign, water baptism; but the Coming One would actually bestow the life-giving Spirit.

When used in connection with water, the word baptize normally indicated a literal immersion (cf. Mar. 1:9-10). When used with the words Holy Spirit it metaphorically means coming under the Spirit’s life-giving power.

I baptize is literally I baptized, probably indicating that John was addressing those he had already baptized. His baptism with (or in) water was limited and preparatory. But those who received it pledged to welcome the Coming One who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:5; 11:15-16). The bestowal of the Spirit was an expected feature of the Messiah’s coming (Isa. 44:3; Eze. 36:26-27; Joel 2:28-29).