Baptism of fire

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Jan 14, 2021
1,599
526
113
#21
Baptism by water, Holy Spirit, and fire.

One might interpret this as:

Water to wash away sin, Holy spirit to wash away human limitation, and fire to wash away impurity of spirit: Son, Holy Spirit, and Father.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#22
The Aramaic translation for Luke 3:16 is "He will baptize you into the Spirit of the Holy One and in light."

The AMP version of Luke 3:16 goes the opposite way and interprets "HS and fire" as "HS or fire": "John answered them all by saying, “As for me, I baptize you [only] with water; but One who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals [even as His slave]. He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire."

But AMP tempers this interpretation with a footnote: "Some scholars view “fire” as judgment; however, another view of “fire” purports that the text refers to the fiery baptism of the Holy Spirit, not judgment. The Holy Spirit promised here has been associated with Pentecost, purification, testing, and judgment. Each person who accepts Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5-8). According to this view the fire indicates that the believer is purified as in the refining of gold. Fire burns up the impurities and the gold (the believer) survives (cf 1 Cor 3:12, 13; James 1:3)."

If we look at the KJV 1 Cor 3:12-15, it says:
"11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."


Fire doesn't necessarily mean hell and damnation.
The Aramaic translation for Luke 3:16 is "He will baptize you into the Spirit of the Holy One and in light."

The AMP version of Luke 3:16 goes the opposite way and interprets "HS and fire" as "HS or fire": "John answered them all by saying, “As for me, I baptize you [only] with water; but One who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals [even as His slave]. He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire."

But AMP tempers this interpretation with a footnote: "Some scholars view “fire” as judgment; however, another view of “fire” purports that the text refers to the fiery baptism of the Holy Spirit, not judgment. The Holy Spirit promised here has been associated with Pentecost, purification, testing, and judgment. Each person who accepts Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5-8). According to this view the fire indicates that the believer is purified as in the refining of gold. Fire burns up the impurities and the gold (the believer) survives (cf 1 Cor 3:12, 13; James 1:3)."

If we look at the KJV 1 Cor 3:12-15, it says:
"11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."


Fire doesn't necessarily mean hell and damnation.
Yes and the AMP is really a free translation in this example.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,777
113
#23
I do not see how this interpretation would be necessarily true. Had the phrasing been "Holy Spirit OR fire" I might agree, but this is not what was written.
Well let's break down what was written:

CONDEMNATION OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES AND THE WRATH TO COME
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

JUDGMENT IS PENDING AND HELL FIRE IS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT REPENT
10 And now also the axe 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.

JOHN'S BAPTISM WAS FOR ISRAEL'S REPENTANCE
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:...

BELIEVER'S TO BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST BY CHRIST
...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,...

HELLFIRE FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL
...and with fire: 12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,177
5,727
113
#24
Baptism by water, Holy Spirit, and fire.

One might interpret this as:

Water to wash away sin, Holy spirit to wash away human limitation, and fire to wash away impurity of spirit: Son, Holy Spirit, and Father.
the spirit is cleansed by the word of Christ

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:2-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

it’s the word of the gospel that cleanses the heart and that is where the spirit is found
 

tribesman

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2011
4,622
282
83
#25
The baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues?
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#26
For Jesus to Baptize with Fire is to simply say that Jesus offers a Baptism of Holy Purification. His Baptism is unique, for through Christ alone is one Purified, and none other. No person, no thing, and no personal effort could possibly Purify a person so as to be qualified to be in the presence of God.

To Baptize with Fire is a direct shadow of the Circumcision of Christ. For Christ to Baptize with Fire is for Christ to Circumcise the Hearts of His Children. The two ideas are discussing the same thing . . . which is what is required to receive Eternal Life. To Baptize with Fire is to ensure that the Sinful Nature has been cut out, lifted, removed, killed, destroyed . . . this is the Circumcision of Christ.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#27
For Jesus to Baptize with Fire is to simply say that Jesus offers a Baptism of Holy Purification. His Baptism is unique, for through Christ alone is one Purified, and none other. No person, no thing, and no personal effort could possibly Purify a person so as to be qualified to be in the presence of God.

To Baptize with Fire is a direct shadow of the Circumcision of Christ. For Christ to Baptize with Fire is for Christ to Circumcise the Hearts of His Children. The two ideas are discussing the same thing . . . which is what is required to receive Eternal Life. To Baptize with Fire is to ensure that the Sinful Nature has been cut out, lifted, removed, killed, destroyed . . . this is the Circumcision of Christ.
Matthew 3:12
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Matthew 13:30
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Another interpretation is that that this is talking about judgment.

Wheat cannot be refined by fire like silver or gold can. If you burn wheat the entire thing is destroyed along with the impurities. This is called "throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

The Bible does not mince words so your interpretation just doesn't really make complete sense. I propose this interpretation to make it all work with logic better.

In the parable of the wheat and tares, they are allowed to grow together because they need to be harvested separately not together. In other words, wheat is not destined for the same treatment that tares are.

Tares are visually similar to wheat in almost every way aside from their inner qualities. It's the same way with real Christians and imitation Christians. We may be able to fool each other, but in the end there will be no fooling God.

You are right that there is a refining process which we undergo to purify us from sinful habits, but the Bible uses metals as figurative language to describe that process, not wheat or tares.

Wheat or tares are harvested separately. One is destroyed and the other is kept.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,177
5,727
113
#28
The baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues?
For some yes and others have received different gifts of the spirit not everyone receives tongues , others receive interpretation of tongues , others receive whatever gifts the lord appointed for them to the edification of the church

if you are insisting someone receive tongues as proof , that’s not at all my view . I believe tongues is a real and valuable gift in the church but only some receive that gift as others receive other gifts

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;

to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit;

to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles;

to another prophecy;

to another discerning of spirits;

to another divers kinds of tongues;

to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-11‬ ‭

there are more gifts listed and mentioned on scripture but I think this set of verses really shows that we need to come together to be complete and while God chose to give one the gift of tongues , that person doesn’t receive all the gifts just some of them . We need to get away from individualizing in the church and look at the value of many operating together and how that becomes a fuller and more complete and edified and strong in the lord church because we’ve really lost sight of the bond of unity
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
1,921
113
#29
Matthew 3:12
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Matthew 13:30
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Another interpretation is that that this is talking about judgment.

Wheat cannot be refined by fire like silver or gold can. If you burn wheat the entire thing is destroyed along with the impurities. This is called "throwing the baby out with the bathwater."

The Bible does not mince words so your interpretation just doesn't really make complete sense. I propose this interpretation to make it all work with logic better.

In the parable of the wheat and tares, they are allowed to grow together because they need to be harvested separately not together. In other words, wheat is not destined for the same treatment that tares are.

Tares are visually similar to wheat in almost every way aside from their inner qualities. It's the same way with real Christians and imitation Christians. We may be able to fool each other, but in the end there will be no fooling God.

You are right that there is a refining process which we undergo to purify us from sinful habits, but the Bible uses metals as figurative language to describe that process, not wheat or tares.

Wheat or tares are harvested separately. One is destroyed and the other is kept.
Good thread....I've always heard that being baptized with fire is a good thing. So usually as soon as I read that scripture about Jesus baptizing with the Holy Ghost and fire... my mind automatically goes to the scriptures on Pentecost and/or the refining fire. Not so sure about that now.

Guess, that is something I need to think about more. Anyways, good thread and posts.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#30
The Bible does not mince words so your interpretation just doesn't really make complete sense. I propose this interpretation to make it all work with logic better.
You've never sung the song, "Refiners Fire"?

Malachi 3:2 KJV - "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap . . ."

The Bible is incredibly repetitive in its Core Message. Many times the Bible refers to the same topic, but with different words. Sometimes the Bible will use those same words, but with different topics, or subject matter.

In my opinion, you are conflating two different principles, expecting the terms of the terms to be equivalent when they in fact are not the same.

As for me . . . I'll accept Baptism by Fire in view and scope of the Entire Bible . . . not just one small piece of it. Jesus Baptized me with Fine in the Arizona Desert . . . it was and will always be the most single incredible moment I will ever experience while within God's Creation.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#31
Guess, that is something I need to think about more. Anyways, good thread and posts.
Hmmm . . . I've never heard of Baptism (in the Bible) as something that is outside of Salvation. I have yet to find Scripture that suggests that there is a Baptisms into, or unto Hell.

It is good that your ears are open . . . but don't let them be deceived. :)
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,177
5,727
113
#32
Good thread....I've always heard that being baptized with fire is a good thing. So usually as soon as I read that scripture about Jesus baptizing with the Holy Ghost and fire... my mind automatically goes to the scriptures on Pentecost and/or the refining fire. Not so sure about that now.

Guess, that is something I need to think about more. Anyways, good thread and posts.
John said this

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: 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 will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John is talking about two things the baptism of fire isn’t a reference to the end and the lake of fire as it is on the parable Jesus told John says he would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire

if he’s referring to the lake of fire , he’s saying they would be given the Holy Ghost and then sent to hellfire that doesn’t make any sense .

But then John says and he will thoroughly purge his floor and then begins associating to the parable Jesus spoke about the end

the group baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire are those who receive the Holy Spirit and continue for the in Jesus refining fire of the word. The fire that purifies the heart , when it is rejected leads one to eternal
Fire

we can have the baptism of refiners fire or experience the fire in the end based upon his word and our response

We can stand in the fire now and be cleansed or reject that and be judged by the exact same word

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬


To believe the gospel forces repentance and repentance isn’t always pleasant and the pressure grows as we abide in his word eventually we will break and repent or we will break and lose faith the fire can save throu refining or condemn in the end
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
1,921
113
#33
Hmmm . . . I've never heard of Baptism (in the Bible) as something that is outside of Salvation. I have yet to find Scripture that suggests that there is a Baptisms into, or unto Hell.

It is good that your ears are open . . . but don't let them be deceived. :)
No, I've never heard of anyone getting baptized to hell....so yeah, I'll put more thought into it. :)
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#34
You've never sung the song, "Refiners Fire"?

Malachi 3:2 KJV - "But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap . . ."

The Bible is incredibly repetitive in its Core Message. Many times the Bible refers to the same topic, but with different words. Sometimes the Bible will use those same words, but with different topics, or subject matter.

In my opinion, you are conflating two different principles, expecting the terms of the terms to be equivalent when they in fact are not the same.

As for me . . . I'll accept Baptism by Fire in view and scope of the Entire Bible . . . not just one small piece of it. Jesus Baptized me with Fine in the Arizona Desert . . . it was and will always be the most single incredible moment I will ever experience while within God's Creation.
Matthew 13:36-43 is the parable of the wheat and tares explained.

Jesus gives us the benefit of explaining in plain language what His parable means. It's there for you to read and understand, but I can't read it for you.

Under absolutely no circumstances is it referring to a refining process by which people increase in levels of purity.

The parable is about individual people who are either righteous or wicked. Holy Spirit baptism for children of the King, fire baptism for children of the devil.

Matthew 13:36-38
36his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us pthe parable of the tares of the field.
37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of tthe wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; uthe harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 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;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

I don't know what you felt in the desert, but I assure you it wasn't a fire baptism. Possibly the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#36
John said this

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: 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 will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John is talking about two things the baptism of fire isn’t a reference to the end and the lake of fire as it is on the parable Jesus told John says he would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire

if he’s referring to the lake of fire , he’s saying they would be given the Holy Ghost and then sent to hellfire that doesn’t make any sense .

But then John says and he will thoroughly purge his floor and then begins associating to the parable Jesus spoke about the end

the group baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire are those who receive the Holy Spirit and continue for the in Jesus refining fire of the word. The fire that purifies the heart , when it is rejected leads one to eternal
Fire

we can have the baptism of refiners fire or experience the fire in the end based upon his word and our response

We can stand in the fire now and be cleansed or reject that and be judged by the exact same word

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬


To believe the gospel forces repentance and repentance isn’t always pleasant and the pressure grows as we abide in his word eventually we will break and repent or we will break and lose faith the fire can save throu refining or condemn in the end
No.

Matthew 3 is not saying that Jesus will give each believer a Holy Spirit baptism and a fire baptism.

John the Baptist is not speaking to an individual in this narrative, but many people.

It's saying that He will give out a Holy Spirit baptism and a fire baptism. That's because only God is capable of deciding those kind of judgments.

Both judgements cannot simultaneously apply to individuals. For example, someone can't be judged to be chaff and thrown into a furnace and then become wheat to be gathered into a barn. This is because it's talking about two different kinds of people.

Read Matthew 13:36-43 and see if it helps you understand better.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#37
Jesus gives us the benefit of explaining in plain language what His parable means. It's there for you to read and understand, but I can't read it for you.

Under absolutely no circumstances is it referring to a refining process by which people increase in levels of purity.
The above quote is as far as I needed to read. First, your condescending tone isn't cool.

Second, what does verse 41 mean to you? How does this not reflect refining? How do these words not mean what they mean? See below:

Matthew 13:41 KJV - "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 . . ."

I apologize, but I do not understand your views at all.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#38
The above quote is as far as I needed to read. First, your condescending tone isn't cool.

Second, what does verse 41 mean to you? How does this not reflect refining? How do these words not mean what they mean? See below:

Matthew 13:41 KJV - "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 . . ."

I apologize, but I do not understand your views at all.
Sorry I really wasn't trying to get offensive, but thanks for saying so. Apologies if you felt upset

Verse 41 is the harvesting of the wheat and tares performed by angels. They are gathering the tares to burn.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#39
Sorry I really wasn't trying to get offensive, but thanks for saying so. Apologies if you felt upset

Verse 41 is the harvesting of the wheat and tares performed by angels. They are gathering the tares to burn.
Okie Doke.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#40
John said this

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: 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 will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John is talking about two things the baptism of fire isn’t a reference to the end and the lake of fire as it is on the parable Jesus told John says he would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and fire

if he’s referring to the lake of fire , he’s saying they would be given the Holy Ghost and then sent to hellfire that doesn’t make any sense .

But then John says and he will thoroughly purge his floor and then begins associating to the parable Jesus spoke about the end

the group baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire are those who receive the Holy Spirit and continue for the in Jesus refining fire of the word. The fire that purifies the heart , when it is rejected leads one to eternal
Fire

we can have the baptism of refiners fire or experience the fire in the end based upon his word and our response

We can stand in the fire now and be cleansed or reject that and be judged by the exact same word

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬


To believe the gospel forces repentance and repentance isn’t always pleasant and the pressure grows as we abide in his word eventually we will break and repent or we will break and lose faith the fire can save throu refining or condemn in the end
There is the sanctification work of the Holy Spirit and there is the empowering for ministry work of the Holy Spirit. Is the baptism of fire here that of empowerment for ministry such as the day of Pentecost, or is it the ongoing sanctification process?