Homilies on Luke

Homily 24. Luke 3.15-16

HOMILY 24 Luke 3.I5-I6 On the passagefrom, "[ indeed baptize you with water, " up to the point where it says, "He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. " HE PEOPLE RECEIVED John, who was less than Christ. They reflected and thought, "Perhaps he is the Christ." But they did not receive him who had come, who was greater than John. Do you want to know the reason? Recognize this:John's baptism could be seen; the Baptism of Christ was invisible.John said, "For I baptize you in water, but he who comes after me is greater than I. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.'" When doesJesus baptize "with the Holy Spirit"? And again, when does he baptize "with fire"? Does he baptize at one and the same time "with Spirit and fire," or at distinct and different times? He says, "But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence."2Mter his ascension into heaven, the apostles were baptized "with the Holy Spirit." But Scripture does not record that they were baptized "with fire." 2. At the Jordan river, John awaited those who came for baptism. Some he rejected, saying, "generation ofvipers," and so on.3 But those who confessed their faults and sins he received . In the same way, the LordJesus Christ will stand in the river offire near the "flaming sword. ", Ifanyone desires to pass over to paradise after departing this life, and needs cleansing, Christ will baptize him in this river and send him across to the place he longs for. But whoever does not have the sign of earlier baptisms, him Christ will not baptize in the fiery bath. 1. Lk3.16. 3· Lk 3·7· 103 2. Acts 1.5. 4· Cn 3.2 4. 104 ORIGEN For, it is fitting that one should be baptized first in "water and the Spirit."5 Then, when he comes to the fiery river, he can show that he preserved the bathing in water and the Spirit. Then he will deserve to receive in addition the baptism in Christ Jesus, to whom is glory and power for ages of ages. Amen. s·Jn 3·S· ...