Chad--one more thought. In Romans 8:9 salvation is actually defined as being indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Regarding Chad's comment: Since Ephesians 4:5 tells us we have "one Lord, one faith, and one baptism," I have always thought that any reference to the baptism of the Holy Spirit must be metaphorical representing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

One of my favorite things to read from the Bible is how "...the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove" and then ..."a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased'". Exciting stuff!

Correction: I had a word I meant to use was to fulfill the ushering in of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Not full.

Chad Hamilton- Without getting into charismatic "cherry picking" of verses to support an unfounded belief in a "second baptism" as you mentioned, I would offer one of the most common foundational practices in Biblical Interpretation here, context, context, context. In the preceding verse, V10, and the following verse, V12, Fire is equated in the context of a manner of Judgment, or a Baptism of Judgment upon those who do not repent (V10 compares the tree bearing good fruit against the unfruitful tree to be thrown into the fire; V12, with His winnowing fan, He will separate the wheat into His barn, and the chaff into unquenchable Fire). The context of V11 is likewise contrasting Baptism with the Holy Spirit with a Baptism of Judgment fire, for those who fail to repent and believe.

Was reminded today that I need to have a heart that is ready to examine and remove hindrances that get in a way of me listening and obeying Jesus. John was preparing the way of the Lord and calling people to repent. I desire to be quick to repent.

My wife and I are really enjoying this study together. This is some of the discussion we had while reading Matthew 3.
In Matthew 3:6 John was baptizing the people in the river Jordan and they were confessing their sins; whereas Jesus was not being baptized because he was confessing sin, because Christ was sinless; but rather Christ was being baptized to full the ushering in of the indwelling Holy Spirit, that would eventually be given to all who were saved once Christ was glorified through crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.

I am very thankful for this bible reading plan. It has been a blessing. One question that I've always had about this text is the wording when John says,"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." I know that we received the Holy Spirit when we are saved and not at our baptism. Maybe I've been around too many charismatics, but this phrasing has always confused me. My charismatic friends have always used this as a proof text of their belief in a second baptism. I've never bought into that argument. If someone understands the meaning, could you please explain it.

One kind of convicting thing that's easy for me to notice reading through a book like Matthew is how familiar with the prophets he assumes the reader/listener is. Almost no one in the original audience would have had such easy access to the text written by prophets, and yet when he quotes passages from Isaiah and others he doesn't feel the need to explain exactly where and why it's relevant. Study bibles and cross-references definitely help here, but it also makes me think I should probably just spend more time in those books so that they can be as familiar as they would have been to 1st century Jews.

Concur completely with all stated previously. I find this chapter to not only be a powerful statement of the absolute necessity of repentance in the new Born Again Believer's testimony, but powerful also in observing Jews submitting to "John's Baptism", we are made aware that they were repenting in their anticipation of the Messiah's arrival to come.
Also, the distinction/differences of these Baptisms by John (Baptism of Repentance) in comparison to the Christian Baptism after the Cross is notable, The Believer's Baptism, post Calvary, includes the Believer's identification with Christ (Faith) in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6), in addition to our Repentance.

I agree with the previous observations. The Jews thought they had salvation by association - they were related to Abraham. Today people growing up in Christian homes, going to Christian schools, and attending church can fall in to the same trap.

We need men today like John the Baptist. Simple lifestyle. Focused on the Lord. Fearlessly bold. We need men who will point others to Christ calling on them to repent and believe in the One with Whom the Father is well pleased!

Well said Chris. Verses 8, 9, and 10 show that true religion ALWAYS includes repentance and false religion ALWAYS includes reliance or faith in something other than Jesus Christ. It may be faith in something you’ve done or something you haven’t done, or, as in this case, being a descendant of Abraham.

Verses 8,9 and 10! That is a message still needed today.