Acts 1:5

For John indeed baptized with water;but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

'FOR'-The statement that John made concerning the One who would baptized in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Is only applied to two specific groups of people in the book of Acts, i.e. the apostles and the household of Cornelius (the first Gentile converts) (Acts 11:15). Jesus is telling His apostles, 'the time is drawing near when that prediction made by John would be fulfilled.' (Reese p. 7)

'NOT MANY DAYS HENCE'-'These words of Jesus were probably spoken not long before His ascension, and, of course, not many days before the day of Pentecost..' (Reese p. 10)

Points to Note:

1. Jesus isn't downplaying water baptism in the above verse. For He commanded it (Mark 16:16; Acts 10:47). Those baptized under John's baptism, needed to be re-baptized under the baptism of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Acts 19:4). For it was only after His death that forgiveness of sins could truly be obtained.

2. The baptism with the Holy Spirit was. promise. But it wasn't promised to all. It was promised to specific individuals (John 14:26), for. specific purpose (John 16:13). You can obey. command, but you can't obey. promise.

3. Some people erroneously think the baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11), also came upon the apostles. But. careful examination of Acts 2:3 reveals that the tongues were 'as of fire'. The baptism of fire mentioned in Matthew 3:11. involves. baptism of judgement and condemnation. See Matthew 3:12.