Being Baptized With Fire
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:
I.
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.”
II.
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
