“I baptise you in water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11
John’s baptism with water signified the cleansing of those who listened to his preaching and wanted to change and live new lives. But the baptism of Jesus was to be something infinitely more powerful. He was to baptise those who came to Him with the Holy Spirit and fire. Baptism with the Holy Spirit, which would give them life everlasting, and baptism with fire, which would set their hearts afire with the love of God. John too, longed for this Baptism from His Maker, Jesus Christ.