Words Have Meaning

5 Key Scriptures

In my previous post we looked at a comparative chart of basic similarities and differences of text. I also drew your attention to who the audience the author was attempting to reach and impact.

I want to draw your attention to key words in these five passages of scripture -Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:3; Acts 1:4b-5. Again, without making any Theological interpretation or application I want key words to speak for themselves in the context they are being used.

FIrst notice the term “baptize” as it pertains to water. As used in all five passages the term is a verb indicating an act of immersion with water as the agency being used. This act can imply cleansing, ceremonial, and/or and initiatory rite. From Matthew we learn this immersion was resulting from a change of mind or state of being (Repentance – “metanoia” a state of having been changed or a change of mind). From these insights we learn that waters of baptism is an outward expression of an inward change of heart and testimony.

Notice also the same word is used regarding Holy Spirit baptism. In this case baptism is still an implied immersion. It is at this point the debate can enlarge itself by the use of “meta – with” or “en – in”. Is it baptism with or in water and The Holy Spirit? I respect the differences are subtle, but I would argue they are important. “With” something implies the use of or means of. “In” something implies more than means but speaks to manner of – Ie. Immersion into an agency of.

For purposes of this post I will appeal to the Nestle-Aland 27th edition as a starting point. This Greek text of the New Testament shows that “en – in” is what is being used and not “meta – with.” I will leave my discussion there for the time being(6199 occurrences in the N.T.).  I do not have a ThD Degree that requires the mastery of four (4) languages. I do believe whole-heartedly that “words have meaning” when used in sentences to communicate truth. 

Matthew and Luke give us an additional descriptor of the Holy Spirit as the agency by which this happens, now both add in the use of “puri – fire” (Occurs 68x in N.T.). Rather it points to the purifying effect of the Messiah’s work, making effective that return to the holiness of the people of God which John’s water-baptism could only symbolize.

[ France, R. T. (1985). Matthew: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 1, p. 98). InterVarsity Press].

Take your study deeper. What is God saying to you regarding the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit?