Something More and Greater

John the Baptist went around the area of Judea baptizing and preaching repentance because the Kingdom of Heaven was shortly to take place. And the people were flocking to see, hear, and to be baptized by him.

And so the Jewish authorities asked John, “Who are you, and by what authority are you doing these things?”

And John said, “I’m not who you think I am. I’m not the Messiah, nor am I Elijah or that prophet (speaking about Moses). Instead I’m the one Isaiah spoke about, a voice crying in the wilderness saying, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” (John 1:19-23)

And to their question as to why he was baptizing unto repentance, John the Baptist said,

“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)

In between this account, the Apostle John said that not only have we received of Jesus’s fullness but additional grace as well.

“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:16)

Those who come into the saving knowledge and faith of Jesus Christ can expect and receive this very thing, that is, all the fullness of Jesus Christ Himself.

But there’s something more, and that is grace stacked upon grace. That is, a person can expect to receive this fullness on an ever-increasing degree.

John baptized with water for repentance, but Jesus’ baptism is to be greater, because He’s going to baptize with the Holy Spirit those who would receive it as an ever-increasing measure of the fullness promised.

This fullness is the sum total of all that is in God that resided in Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him.”(Colossians 2:9-10a)

So we can expect something more and even greater.