Baptism of Fire
John the baptizer said in Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Set-Apart Spirit, and with fire." We should surely want the baptism of his Spirit! But what about the baptism of fire? Is it something to be desired or avoided?
The Witness of John
Some teach that the baptism of fire is reserved exclusively for the wicked. They will point to the testimony of John the baptist in Matthew chapter 3...But when [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, "Oh generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that Elohim is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:7-9)
And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. His fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:10-12)
Some deduce from the preceding, that because John was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were self righteous, that this baptism of fire must be only for the wicked. But, should we desire the baptism of fire? Actually, that all depends on "who we are"...
1st Corinthians 3:11 - For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yahushua the Messiah.
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.Other scripture that support the idea that all will be tried with fire:
Jeremiah 23:29 - "Is not my word like as a fire? saith YHWH; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?"
Zechariah 13:9 - "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, 'It is my people', and they shall say, 'YHWH is my Elohim.'"
Psalm 66:10 - For thou, O Elohim, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.
11 - Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.
12 - Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
Job 23:10 - But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Proverbs 17:3 - The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but YHWH trieth the hearts.
Isaiah 48:10 - Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Malachi 3:1 - "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Master, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come," saith YHWH of hosts.
2 - 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:
3 - And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto YHWH an offering in righteousness.
James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which YHWH hath promised to them that love him.According to the preceding verse, it seems that temptation is a form of fire. Kepha repeats the same idea:
1Kepha (Peter) 1:6 - Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Yahushua the Messiah.In conclusion, we should want the baptism of fire for the purpose of being purified (rather than being burned to ashes). We need to pray that we be found worthy! Yahushua said...
Luke 21:34 (ISR) - "And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down by gluttony, and drunkenness, and worries of this life, and that day come on you suddenly.
35 - For it shall come as a snare on all those dwelling on the face of all the earth.
36 - Watch then at all times, and pray that you be counted worthy to escape all this about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."Study by YermeYah