Being Baptized With Fire

Introduction:

Much is heard on the radio and television about the need to be baptized with fire. Some religious groups include that phrase in their name. But what does the Bible say about the baptism of fire? And is it something that we should do?

Body:

  1. The Preaching of John the Baptist (Luke 3:2-3, Luke 7:14)
  • John preached baptism of repentance for remission of sins. (Luke 1:76-77) Read Matthew 3:2, 5-6; he stressed the need for repentance because it would be essential to enter the coming kingdom. (Acts 2:38)
  • Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees believed they had no need to repent because they were descended from Abraham. (Matthew 3:7, Luke 3:7-9) The claim of Jewish lineage will mean nothing. Those who didn’t repent would be thrown into the fire.
  • Specific situations are now addressed:
  1. Be generous and compassionate. (Luke 11:39-41)
  2. Tax collectors should be fair. (Luke 7:29)
  3. Soldiers were warned against abusing their power and called for contentment.
  • John called for real changes in people’s lives. “Bear the fruit or bear the consequences.”
  1. John or Jesus (Luke 3:15-17)
  • John baptized with water. (Matthew 3:5-6) “You” meant people in general.
  • Jesus would baptize some people with the Holy Spirit and some with fire.
  • Holy Spirit baptism: Jesus told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) Then later He told them this in Acts 1:4-5. “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Then on Pentecost[just days later], the following occurred. “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4) (NKJV) Note it was not real fire: “as of fire.” Then the Holy Spirit baptism occurred on Cornelius and his household. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered.” (Acts 10:44-46) These are the only two occurrences of Holy Spirit baptism.
  • Baptized with fire: Verse 9 and Verse 17 mention fire. The context is eternal punishment in fire – “unquenchable.” Verse 16 is certainly talking about the same thing. “And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:9) “John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:16-17) Similar terms are used in Matthew 13:40-42, 49-50 and Matthew 25:41. The disobedient, the wicked, the unrepentant, the unfruitful will be cast into the lake of fire, baptizing [immersing] them in fire. (Revelation 20:12-15)

Conclusion:

Being baptized with fire is the second death, something no one should desire. Is your name in the Book of Life?

Bobby Stafford September 8, 2013