ACC ~ Luke 3 v16

REASONS WHY JESUS BAPTIZES WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: After this, John brings forward a second argument, saying, “I indeed baptize you in water. He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.” This too is of great importance for the proof and demonstration that Jesus is God and Lord. For it is the sole and peculiar property of the Substance that transcends all, to be able to bestow on people the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and make those that draw near unto it partakers of the divine nature. But this exists in Christ, not as a thing received, nor by communication from another, but as his own and as belonging to his substance. He baptizes in the Holy Spirit. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 10. [1]

[1] CGSL 75**.

FIRE REFERS TO THE FIERY TONGUES AT PENTECOST

CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: John, filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb, was sanctified for the purpose of baptizing the Lord. John himself did not impart the Spirit but preached the glad tidings of him who does. He says, “I indeed baptize you with water, for repentance. But he who is coming after me, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” [1] Why fire? Because the descent of the Holy Spirit was in fiery tongues. Concerning this the Lord says with joy, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it would be kindled!” [2] CATECHETICAL LECTURES 17.8. [3]

[1] Mt 3:11.

[2] Lk 12:49.

[3] FC 64:100D**.

JESUS BAPTIZES CHRISTIANS WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE

CHRYSOSTOM: What happened in the case of our Master’s body also happens in the case of your own. Although John appeared to be holding his body by the head, it was the divine Word that led his body down into the streams of Jordan and baptized him. The Master’s body was baptized by the Word, by the voice of his Father from heaven which said, “This is my beloved Son,” and by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit which descended upon him. This also happens in the case of your body. The baptism is given in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Therefore John the Baptist told us, for our instruction, that man does not baptize us but God: “There comes after me one who is mightier than I, and I am not worthy to loose the strap of his sandal. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

For this reason, when the priest is baptizing he does not say, “I baptize so-and-so,” but “So-and-so is baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In this way he shows that it is not he who baptizes but those whose names have been invoked, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 11.13. [1]

[1] ACW 31:164-65*.