Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Daily Devo, John 1:29-34

When I read this passage at face-value, it seems as though John the Baptizer does not know his cousin is the messiah until the Holy Spirit descends in this moment. This was not a premeditated rouse to capture followers for a new religion or cult. Jesus didn’t tell John. John was prepared to testify to whomever the Holy Spirit descended on. I have a feeling Jesus told John to look for the one on whom the Holy Spirit would descend on and abide with. I can only speculate as to John’s surprise and excitement when it was his cousin, the one he grew up with.

John vouches for Jesus. He knew Jesus as literal family. He testifies as a witness with the Holy Spirit.

While John baptized with water, Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. People who believe in Jesus are not merely cleansed outwardly but inwardly. They are not only washed clean but, like John will describe later, given an indwelling helper.

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”