I indeed baptise you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 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 (Mat 3:11-12)
The baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire
What does it mean; Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire? In many churches, it is taught, that when you repent, you will first be baptized with water, after that, you will be baptized with the Holy Ghost and then you will be baptized with fire.
It is taught that the baptism with the Holy Ghost is different than the baptism with fire. If you receive the baptism with fire, you are unstoppable and you shall be able to preach the gospel, cast out demons, heal the sick, etc.
Because of this teaching, many Christians are searching and longing for that fire baptism. But what does the Bible say about the baptism with fire?
In Matthew chapter 3, John did speak about the baptism with the Holy Ghost and the baptism with fire. You could interpret this as two baptisms that are meant for Christians.
However, why was John talking about the Day of Judgment? Because John was talking about the chaff, which will be burned up with unquenchable fire. Why was John talking to the Pharisees and the Sadducees about the Day of Judgment, together with the baptism of fire?
The two baptisms
John is indeed talking about two baptisms: one with the Holy Ghost and one baptism with fire. But this baptism with fire, is not the baptism, that most believers think it is.
Nowhere in the Bible, is Jesus talking about a baptism with fire, in reference to the baptism with the Holy Ghost. He only talks about the baptism in water and the baptism with the Holy Ghost. The baptism with the Holy Ghost was sufficient. Unfortunately, we often underestimate the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Baptism with the Holy Ghost
Now let’s have a look at the Day of Pentecost, where the pure baptism of the Holy Spirit; the promise of God, took place:
Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:2-4)
Cloven tongues like as of fire
We read that upon the believers appeared cloven tongues (languages) like as of fire, and sat upon each of them. Jesus His followers were baptized, with the Holy Ghost and the cloven tongues were a proof.
This is one of the baptisms: the baptism with the Holy Ghost, which Jesus promised His disciples. It was the only baptism His disciples were waiting for. It is not written, that they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and they were filled with fire. No, the speaking in other languages (tongues) was the proof, that they were Baptised with the Holy Spirit. When they received the Holy Spirit, they received power.
What does the word ‘baptism’ mean?
The Greek word ‘baptisma‘ means baptism. This word is derived from the word ‘baptise’ and means: to make whelmed (means cover wholly with a fluid), to dip, to wash, to immerse.
Baptism means a full immersion. So, when we go back to Matthew 3, we read that Jesus will fully immerse, or fully dip someone into the Holy Ghost and fully immerse, or fully dip someone into the fire.
On the day of Pentecost, the full immersion with the Holy Ghost took place, but the full immersion with fire has not happened yet, though the Bible talks about it in Revelation 20:
The baptism with fire
The devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are,and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelations 20:10-15)
This is what John was talking about. John knew Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and His power. He shared his knowledge with the Pharisees and Sadducees. He knew that Jesus could baptize with the Holy Spirit. But he also knew that Jesus had the power to judge and baptize with eternal fire.
Jesus came to this earth, not as a Judge yet, but as a Savior. He came to save mankind from eternal death and torture and to reconcile them back to God.
Will Jesus be your Savior or Judge?
The father of this world(system) is a deceiver, a liar and he tries to captivate as many people as possible. He hates man (because they are the crown of God’s creation), and he wants to take them with him into the pool of fire, which is the eternal destination of him and his followers.
But Jesus loves you so much, He gave His life for you. He is the Truth in life, and all He wants is the best for you. Let Jesus become your Savior, and reconcile you to God. Let Him restore the union with the Father, that the devil stole. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ.
Let therefore Jesus become your Savior instead of your Judge.
If you don’t accept Him as your Savior, then He will automatically become your Judge. When He becomes your Judge, your final destination will not be heaven, but hell. And when your final destination will be hell, you will be baptized with fire.
Let’s make the right choice, now that you still have the ability to make a choice, and make Jesus your Savior and Lord. I promise you, it will be the best thing you can ever do in life.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
