Would you please help me with Matt.3:11. John quotes to the people there present that Jesus will baptize “you” with the Holy Spirit. To whom was he referring? I know the apostles were the ones baptized on Pentecost, but I need help to explain this passage. Bob Douglas, California
Joel 2:28-3:2 prophesied that miraculous power would visit Jews and Gentiles at some magnificent event in the then future. The city of Jerusalem would figure prominently in the unfolding of these events. Young and old, male and female would be the recipients of miraculous power. It is clear from Acts 2:16-21 where the apostle Peter referred to Joel’s prophecy, quoted it and applied it to the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2:1-4) that Joel’s prophecy included the baptism of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Referring to Joel 2:28-3:2, one easily sees that others in addition to the apostles were to receive miraculous power, too (women, Gentiles, gifts of the Holy Spirit as opposed to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:14-18; Hebrews 2:4). However, the prophecy of Joel itself does not say in so many words the baptism of the Holy Spirit was intended for the apostles alone and that gifts of the Holy Spirit would be available through the imposition of apostolic hands on other Christians. One must turn to other passages such as Acts 2:16-21; 2:38; 8:14-18; Hebrews 2:4 to see that distinction.
John the Baptizer’s reference to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Matthew 3:11 is another instance where the specifics of who precisely would be the recipients is not stated in that passage. One must turn to other verses to see who specifically and only would be the recipients of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How, though, could John utter that promise to such a diverse crowd present before him that day on the banks of the Jordan River. His audience was comprised of penitent souls to whom he administered his baptism (Matthew 3:5-6), ungodly Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 3:7) and some who would eventually become the apostles of Christ (John 1:29-40). In view of the different groups present in his audience, John spoke of three baptisms of which various ones would be recipients. The ungodly, impenitent persons present would receive the baptism of fire or fire (Matthew 3:10-12). The references to fire in verses 10 and 12 pertain to the destructive and negative force of fire, and so the reference to fire in verse 11 should also be understood to be negative and destructive; the baptism of fire is still future. Others present then received John’s baptism in the Jordan River (verse 11), while others present, the apostles, would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (verse 11).
Jesus, in John 14-16, promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit exclusively to his apostles. Immediately before his Ascension, Jesus again promised the baptism of the Holy Spirit exclusively to his apostles (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). Acts 2:1-4 reveals that the apostles alone received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on that Pentecost (see Acts 1:26-2:4). It is evident that the baptism of the Holy Spirit distinguished the apostles (in quantity or quality or both) from others who were the recipients of gifts of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 12:12).
General references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit where the apostles are intended but not specified are Joel 2:28-3:2 and Matthew 3:11; that the apostles alone are meant though not specified in these verses is clear from other passages which do specify precisely who was to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Passages that specifically designate the apostles alone as the recipients of the baptism of the Holy Spirit are John 14-16; Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8. Verses that show the apostles alone receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit are Acts 1:26-2:4. (It is a misnomer to call what Cornelius, his family and friends received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, since the baptism of the Holy Spirit was never specifically promised to anyone besides the apostles and the miraculous manifestation at Cornelius’ house was a gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 10:45; 11:17. It is true, though, that the manner of reception but not the degree of miraculous power received at Cornelius’ house was similar to the baptism of the Holy Spirit received by the apostles.)
