Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 8Sample

The imagery of fire is used in the Old Testament as a sign for the holy presence of God. We see in Exodus 19 the people of God were asked to gather around mount Sinai, but not to touch the mountain. Then the presence of God comes down in the form of fire and smoke. God later makes a promise in Joel 2 saying that He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh. In Luke 3, John the Baptist picks up on this promise saying that it is Jesus who will fill us with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus will bring the promise of God’s presence in our lives to fulfillment. The promise is fulfilled in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit is poured out. Flames of fire that looked like licks or tongues came to rest or settle on all who were present. The Holy presence of God did not come to visit, but came to rest and remain on believers. This is how the promise of Jesus baptising us with the Holy Spirit and fire promised by John in Luke 3:16 comes to be. Jesus paved the way for the Holy presence of God to rest and remain on you.