Baptism with Fire
There are two times in the Scriptures
where the word of God tells us Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and
with FIRE. (See Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16.) While it is important to understand the
baptism with the Holy Ghost, it is also extremely important that we understand
the baptism with fire. In both of the
above Scriptures, there are three different baptisms mentioned: baptism with
water, with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
Probably most Christians would agree on
the baptism with water, and what it represents.
There may be a little more disagreement about the baptism with the Holy
Ghost. And when it comes to the baptism
with fire, some believe it to be synonymous with the Baptism with the Holy
Ghost, while others believe it to be the opposite of being baptized with the
Holy Ghost.
I believe the baptism with fire is an
expression teaching us about the severe judgments of Jesus Christ on us when we
walk in disobedience to His word and ways.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost, on the other hand, is an expression
telling us about the wonderful spiritual blessings we have, fellowship with
God, when we walk in humble obedience to His word. When we sow to the Spirit, we reap the Holy
Ghost. When we sow to the flesh, we reap
fire.
Look carefully at both passages, which
talk about being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Study prayerfully Matthew 3:5-12 and Luke
3:7-9 and 15-18. Both passages
emphatically are teaching severe judgments of fire, on those who do not bring
forth fruit meet for repentance! The
contrast is made especially clear in Matthew 3:10-12. “And now also the ax is laid unto the root of
the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down, and cast into the fire. I indeed
baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier
than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy
Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is
in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat
into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Notice there is not a period at the end of verse 11. As soon as he declares Jesus will baptize
with the Holy Ghost and with fire, he further explains
the meaning and the truth in that phrase by showing the contrast of “gathering
his wheat into the garner” as opposed to “”burning up the chaff with
unquenchable fire.” Gathering the what into the garner is an expression declaring how we
are able to enter into the kingdom of heaven when we are bringing forth fruit,
instead of going into the unquenchable fire when we rebel and refuse to obey
God.
One of
the primary reasons many people fail to see Jesus baptizing with fire and
bringing fiery judgments is there is a major misconception concerning Jesus
today. While much of the religious world
believes in a little baby Jesus being born in a manger, and most believe in the
Lamb of God giving His life on the cross of Calvary, very few realize and
believe Jesus would ever cast anyone into fire, or pour out fire in their
lives, or be the source of severe judgments and wrath upon those who are
disobedient.
But Jesus testifies the following:
“For the
Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” (John
5:22).
“I am
come to send fire on the earth; and what will I if it be already kindled? (Luke
12:49).
“But I
say unto you…whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
(Matthew 5:22).
“Every
tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
(Matthew 7:19).
“As
therefore the tares are gathered and cast into the fire, so shall it be in the
end of this world. The Son of man shall
send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that
offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast
them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
(Matthew 13:40-42).
“So shall
it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth and sever the wicked
from among the just, And shall cast them into the
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:49,50).
“Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast
them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt and maimed,
rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend
thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into
life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”
(Matthew 18:8,9). See also Mark 9:43-48.
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are
burned.” (John 15:6).
Also, please
prayerfully study I Corinthians 3:13-15; II Thessalonians 1:8; I Peter 1:7;
Revelation 1:14; 2:18; 4:5; and Hebrews 1:7 and 12:29.
“FOR OUR GOD IS A
CONSUMING FIRE.” (Hebrews 12:29).