What did John the Baptist say was the purpose of Jesus baptizing Israel with the Holy Spirit?
John the Baptist declared that the purpose of Jesus baptizing the nation of Israel with or into the Holy Spirit was to give them power. That power would enable the Twelve and believing Jews to carry on where Jesus left off, continuing the ministry He had begun.
Les explains that the key word here is power. John the Baptist said that when Jesus would baptize the nation of Israel with or into the Holy Spirit, the purpose was to give them power. Les applies this to the Twelve in particular and to the believing Jews who would be coming along: they were to carry on where He left off. During His earthly ministry, miracles, signs, and wonders were highlighted almost every day to prove who He was. Now, after He has gone back to heaven and is commissioning these eleven men, they are to continue what He had begun, even though the Messiah has been crucified and has ascended back to heaven.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.