Best Kept Secret

I have heard stories of people not giving all of the ingredients when asked for a recipe; because they had a secret ingredient. Some secrets we keep are bad, but some secrets are good and would benefit many.

In Jesus’ time, John the Baptist was baptizing people, but he had a message. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11 NKJV)

So, the completion of water baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. What does this Holy Spirit do? Here are just a few things: sent from heaven (I Peter 1:12, Acts 2:2-4), fulfills promises (Acts 2:33), gives words of wisdom when needed (Luke 12:12), pours out the love of God into our hearts (Romans 5:5), brings us righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17), source of God’s power (Romans 15:13), sanctifies us (Romans 15:16), teaches us (I Corinthians 2:13), lives in us; His temple (I Corinthians 6:19), proclaims Jesus is Lord (I Corinthians 12:3), communes with us (II Corinthians 13:14), gives us gifts (Hebrews 2:4, I Corinthians 12:4-11), prays for us (Jude 20).