The Spirit filled John the Baptist, who was the last prophet of the Old Testament. Under his inspiration John was sent to “prepare for the Lord a people well disposed” (Luke1:17). He was to proclaim the coming of Christ, the Son of God, upon whom he saw the Spirit descend and remain, the one who “baptizes with the Spirit” (John1:33).
Veja este tema no Catecismo
Paragraph 717
717. "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John."89John was "filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb"90by Christ himself, whom the Virgin Mary had just conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary's visitation to Elizabeth thus became a visit from God to his people.91
Paragraph 718
718. John is "Elijah (who) must come."92The fire of the Spirit dwells in him and makes him the forerunner of the coming Lord. In John, the precursor, the Holy Spirit completes the work of "[making] ready a people prepared for the Lord."93
Paragraph 719
719. John the Baptist is "more than a prophet."94In him, the Holy Spirit concludes his speaking through the prophets. John completes the cycle of prophets begun by Elijah.95He proclaims the imminence of the consolation of Israel; he is the "voice" of the Consoler who is coming.96As the Spirit of truth will also do, John "came to bear witness to the light."97In John's sight, the Spirit thus brings to completion the careful search of the prophets and fulfills the longing of the angels.98"He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. and I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.... Behold, the Lamb of God."99
Paragraph 720
720. Finally, with John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit begins the restoration to man of "the divine likeness," prefiguring what he would achieve with and in Christ. John's baptism was for repentance; baptism in water and the Spirit will be a new birth.100
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What is the meaning of being “blameless” according to the 2 Peter 3:14 passage?
Understanding God’s Wrath – Habakkuk 1:2-4
What does Wisdom 8:7 teach us about wisdom as a source of virtue and honor?
What is the role of leaders in the church according to 1 Timothy 3:1-13?
What is the unchanging nature of God, according to Malachi 3:6?
