By introducing John's baptism, God was announcing to that generation the imminent dissolution of the Mosaic doctrine of man's personal sacrifice for personal sin. He was saying that He was going to do it all Himself, indeed had already accepted the responsibility for it — 'Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world'. By analysis John is found to be saying, 'all that you need to produce is fruit meet for repentance. Don't bring anything else; let me do the rest, come and let me baptise you'. He is also found saying of Jesus, 'He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and fire; let Him do that'.
By God's ordination and commandment through John, baptism as a method as well as a practice had been introduced to men. Having been divinely instituted, water baptism has come to stay as the official picture of what takes place in the real baptism it represents. It is a visual aid to the understanding of the Baptism in the Spirit, which is the Lord's method of giving eternal life to men and women throughout this era. Established first as a type under John by water during the last days of the passing Covenant, baptism was finally established in reality under Jesus by the Spirit on the first day of the New Covenant, namely the day of Pentecost. The new superseded the old.
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G.W. North (1913 - 2003)
G. W. North was born in London England in 1913. As a young man he became aware that the Lord was calling him into the work of the ministry. At timely stages the Lord placed folk in his path who were able to direct him into the truth of heart purity and a more expansive understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He held pastorates in Kent and Bradford. By the late 1960s, following a significant period of ministry in Liverpool, he began a more itinerant ministry. This led him to many parts of the world, and occupied him until well into his eighties. His powerful preaching and the unique sense of the Lord's presence, which seemed to brood over his meetings, were always intensely challenging.The true secret of his remarkable ministry stemmed from his personal communion with the Lord Jesus. To him, 'entering the holiest' was not merely a theological concept; it was a distinct spiritual reality - and the central feature of his spiritual life. It was here, in the place of worship, that his revelatory ministry found its source. He preached from understanding and conviction. He was never the echo of another, nor did he take on board the ebb and flow of various contemporary emphases. He was not a man of 'books'; he soaked himself in Scripture and allowed it to saturate his heart and mind. Truly, this is a man who has lifted up a standard for the people. Mr North went to be with the Lord on 29th April 2003, shortly after his ninetieth birthday.