).

And the child John grew and "waxed strong in spirit, and was in the
deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel" (Luke 1:80). His
private life was spent in the desert solitudes, where he was being
strengthened in spirit for the great work God had prepared for him. This
work had been foretold by the Holy Spirit. It spake through Isaiah the
prophet (40:3), saying: "The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the
wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for
our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill
shall be made low; and the rough places a plain: and the glory of
Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." Again,
Malachi (3:1) says: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare
the way before me."

In fulfillment of these predictions of the Spirit came John the Baptist
in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, preaching the
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Great multitudes
flocked to his preaching and baptism. Among others came Jesus of
Nazareth, and "on the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith,
Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world" (John
1:29). "This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man who is become
before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not; but that he should
be made manifest to Israel, for this cause came I baptizing in water.
And John bare witness, saying, I have beheld the Spirit descending as a
dove out of heaven; and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he
that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou
shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he
that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit. And I have seen, and have borne
witness that this is the Son of God" (John 1:30-34).

The next mention of the Holy Spirit by John the Baptist is in reference
to the baptism in the Holy Spirit and in fire. In order that the reader
may have a clear understanding of this disputed and difficult subject, I
shall present the testimonies of the four Evangelists in parallel
columns [paragraphs]:

MATT. 3:10-12.

And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree
therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire. I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that
after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he
shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit