This topic is not necessarily so controversial as our last topic, but it certainly has been assigned many very different meanings.  Here are some of my personal thoughts...  What do you think it means to be BAPTIZED WITH FIRE???

                                  Baptism of Fire                              

I.      Introduction

The baptism of fire spoken of in the New Testament is referred to as such only two times in the scriptures, yet there is a notable amount of disagreement concerning the meaning of the phrase.  The two passages in which this phrase appears are Matthew 3:10-12 and Luke 3:16-17.  These scriptures read as follows:

v     Matthew 3:10-12: "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. 11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

v     Luke 3:16-17: 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. 17 "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."

Many explanations have been offered concerning the most accurate meaning of the baptism of fire spoken of by John.  The purpose of this study is to examine the most reasonable interpretation and established which explanation is likely correct.

II.   Definition of Terms

v     Fire: (pur), literal or figurative; lightning, fire, fiery. [4442]

v     Baptism: (baptize), to dip, to make fully whelmed or wet. [907]

III.           Contextual Study

Fire and baptism are each used both figuratively and literally depending on the context of the passage.  Understanding these uses may help us to correctly identify the intended uses in previously mentioned scriptures.

v     Fire:

1.      Referring to literal fire or flames:

a.      Acts 7:30: “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.”

2.      Referring to Hell:

a.      Matthew 5:22: “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”

b.      Matthew 7:19: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

c.       2 Thessalonians 1:6-8: “since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 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.”

d.      Revelation 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

3.      Referring to trials and tribulations:

a.      1 Corinthians 3:13: “each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.”

b.      1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

c.       1 Peter 4:12-13: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;  13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

v     Baptism:

1.      Referring to immersion in water:

a.      Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

b.      Acts 2:38: “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

c.       Acts 8:36: “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

d.      1 Peter 3:21: “There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

2.      Referring to trials and tribulations:

a.      Luke 12:50: “But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!”

b.      Mark 10:38: “But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

IV.            Conclusions

Based on the above observations, there are distinct conclusions that stand out as the most probable meanings of baptism of fire.

A.     To be baptized with fire may be referring to the final judgment in which Christ will invite the righteous into eternal glory but condemn the wicked to eternal Hell fire.  Especially considering the context of Matthew 3:10-12, it seems very reasonable to make this conclusion.  In the surrounding verses, Jesus is clearly speaking of this final condemnation of the wicked.  Also, this conclusion would be consistent with the definitions and contextual studies of the words baptism and fire. 

B.     Baptism in fire may also refer to the trials and persecutions the Christians would suffer immediately after the establishment of the church.  This conclusion is consistent with the definitions and contextual studies observed above.  It is also notable that this interpretation seems to make Matthew 3:11 more consistent with itself.  In scripture, it appears that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of fire are understood to be in the same timeframe and relevant to the same audience.  If so, understanding fire to be trials and persecutions is most logical and brings more continuity to the verse.

C.     A combination of the above interpretation may also be the case.  Consider this train of logic: All people are baptized with fire because they are tested with trials and tribulations that will prove our faithfulness to God.  Some people will escape this baptism of fire and be preserved in heave while others will be consumed by the fire in hell.