People wondered in their hearts if John might be the Christ (Messiah). John did not fall. He confessed that he is not. He gave proof by saying that there are two types of baptism. John’s baptism uses water. Jesus’ baptism uses the Holy Spirit. The latter is far better than the first.
Most believers in Jesus know and understand water baptism. I wrote extensively in other places in FreeBibleStudyHelp.com commentary about water baptism. However, few know of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, let alone understand it.
On the day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples. “A sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:2-4). This is the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit.
John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (3). Jesus preached a baptism of ownership for the spread of the gospel for the forgiveness of sin. John’s baptism was physical. Jesus’ baptism was spiritual. The first is less than the latter.
Jesus declared to Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (born from above).” (John 3:3) Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit baptism, which is more than a confirmation. Jesus continued, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.'”
The water is when a baby comes into the air and begins breathing. The Spirit is when the new believer comes supernaturally into the heavenly realms, Though the body remains on earth, the spirit begins living.
