TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Hebrews 8:10-13

God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet.

BAPTISM WITH THE SPIRIT (IV)

When our Lord began His ministry, John’s words of introduction by the river Jordan were most significant: “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost” (Mark 1:8). John said in effect, “His ministry will be different.”

Jesus came as the Mediator of the new covenant in His own blood (Heb 12:24) to take the place of the old covenant “which decayeth and waxeth old” and was “ready to vanish away” (Heb 8:13). His mediatorial work perfected, our Lord returned to the throne, and from thence poured forth His Spirit upon the Church in a mighty fashion, filling them with new life and raising them to a higher spiritual plane.

The effused Spirit came upon God’s people, implanted God’s law in their inward parts and wrote them in their hearts. Willingly and joyously, they translated these laws into action in their lives. Pentecost brought a presence of the Spirit unknown in times past, with a fuller realization of God’s promises under the covenant of grace. Read again the account of changed lives at Pentecost: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers… and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:42-45).

Baptism with the Spirit brought unprecedented spiritual fervour, obedience to God’s law, submission to authority, unity and love among members, devotion to the Lord and to spiritual things, liberality and care for one another. In a word: the believers’ lives were transformed. They had been baptized with the Spirit.

THOUGHT: Do I willingly and joyously obey God’s law?
PRAYER: Lord, make my life a “showcase” of Thy grace.