The Baptism of Fire
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Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Fidelity
The Baptism of Fire
by Mike Benson
Question: "What is the baptism of fire? Do you
think Christians should pray for it?"
Answer: Let's go to the Bible for an answer.
Please study the following:
John the Baptist promised that Jesus would
administer two baptisms -- Holy Spirit baptism and
the baptism of fire. "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. I indeed baptize you with
water unto repentance, but He who is coming after
me is mightier that I, whose sandals I am not
worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:10,11). The apostles
would receive the overwhelming measure of the Holy
Spirit's power on Pentecost (Luke 24:48,49; Acts
1:4,5; Acts 2:1-4); the unrepentant Pharisees and
Sadducees would receive the penalty of hell at the
final judgment.
The baptism of fire is "hell fire". "His winnowing
fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge
His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the
barn; but He will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12). It is clear
that John was referring to "hell fire" (i.e.,
eternal destruction) in this passage. H. Leo Boles
observes:
"Is it credible that 'fire' should have one
meaning in the first and third verses, and an
entirely different meaning in the second? We must
conclude that 'fire' has the same meaning in
verses ten, eleven and twelve. With this
conclusion, we must believe that two baptisms are
mentioned here, that two classes are to receive
the baptisms; that one class is to receive the
baptism of the Holy Spirit and the other class the
baptism of fire. 'Fire' as used here cannot be
taken as a symbol of the Holy Spirit; this would
be a confusion to say Christ would 'baptize in the
Holy Spirit and in the Holy Spirit.' Where fire is
used in a literal sense in the Bible, it
invariably sets forth God's divine judgment upon
sin; where it is used in a figurative sense it
represents this process by which evil is removed,
and destruction. No sound principle of
interpretation admits of representing the same
truth under a literal and figurative form in the
same connection" [H. Leo Boles, "Holy Spirit and
Fire," The Holy Spirit — His Personality, Nature
and Works, pp. 304-305.]
Jesus will administer the baptism of fire when He
comes again. "And to give you who are troubled
rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire
taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and
on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord and from the glory of His power" (2
Thessalonians 1:7-9). "So it will be at the end of
the age. The angels will come forth, separate the
wicked from among the just, and cast them into the
furnace of fire. There will be wailing and
gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:49; cf. Revelation
20:14, 15; 21:8).
No. Christians should not pray for the baptism of
fire. Rather, they should endeavor to avoid it.
For a further study of this subject, go to:
http://www.christiancourier.com/questions/
baptismFireQuestion.htm.
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