He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Matt. 3:11.
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5.
You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts 1:4, 5.
The Lord promised to send the Comforter, who should join us to God. For as a compacted lump of dough cannot be formed of dry wheat without fluid matter, . . . so in like manner, neither could we, being many, be made one in Christ Jesus without the water from heaven. . . . For our bodies have received unity among themselves by means of that bath [i.e., water baptism] which leads to incorruption. However, our souls receive it by means of the Spirit. For that reason, both are necessary, since both contribute towards the life of God. Our Lord comforted that erring Samaritan woman . . . by pointing out and promising to her living water. This water would enable her to thirst no more, nor occupy herself in acquiring the refreshing water obtained by labor. For she could have in herself water springing up to eternal life. The Lord received this as a gift from His Father, and He also confers it upon those who are partakers of Himself, sending the Holy Spirit upon all the earth. Irenaeus (c. 180, E/W), 1.444, 445.
That most Holy Spirit willingly descends from the Father over our cleansed and blessed bodies [after baptism]. . . . The dove of the Holy Spirit flies to earth, that is, to our flesh as it emerges from the font, . . . bringing us the peace of God, sent out from the heavens. Tertullian (c. 198, W), 3.673.
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” . . . “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” . . . So John made a distinction. For he said that he indeed baptized in water, but that one would come who would baptize in the Holy Spirit, by the grace and power of God. And they are so baptized by the Spirit’s bestowal and operation of hidden results. . . . The Lord said in the Gospel: “Unless a man is born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.” From this, it is clear that the baptism that alone is profitable is that where the Holy Spirit can dwell. Treatise on Re-Baptism (c. 257, W), 5.668.