To be baptized with fire is a concept that has been misunderstood and confused with baptism of/by fire. But this article will explain the difference between the concepts as well as their meanings.
The Difference Between The Concepts
The difference between baptism with fire and baptism of/by fire is that the former is a Biblical concept while the latter is an English idiom. This means that they have different meanings, which I will provide below.
What Is Baptism With Fire?
Baptism with fire means punishment with the unquenchable fire of hell. This explanation is correct because it agrees with the context of being baptized with fire. This concept is not meant to be taken out of context before being interpreted because doing so will lead to a misinterpretation.
What is Baptism of/by Fire?
Baptism of/by fire represents a process of undergoing challenges, trials, or intense experiences that test one’s resolve, character, and beliefs. It is a crucible of transformation, burning away the impurities and old patterns of thought or behavior, allowing for personal growth and the emergence of a renewed self.
However, this is not what John the Baptist mean in Matthew 3:12 and Luke 3:16.
Understanding Baptism with Fire from its Context
To understand the meaning of being baptized with fire, the context must not be ignored. John the Baptist was addressing a group of Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to him for water baptism. He described them as a “brood of vipers” who needed to repent. However, instead of acknowledging their need for repentance, they argued that they were Abraham’s children, claimed to be righteous, and insisted that they, too, deserved water baptism. To address the anomaly, John spoke to them, explaining his own baptism and identity as well as Jesus’ baptism and identity. Read the following quotation:
Luke 3:16-17 also has similar wording describing the same episode. So, there’s no need to quote it here.
The Need to Interpret and Explain John’s Message
John the Baptist spoke as a prophet, and prophetic utterances usually need explanation or interpretation by Bible teachers. This is why the Bible says:
So, the paraphrase and explanation of what John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11-12 is this:
“I baptize people with water if they say they have repented, but I am not the one to decide whether they should be saved or condemned, even though they have been baptized with water. Jesus Christ, the one who is greater than me, is coming. When he comes, He will decide who should be saved or condemned. He has the power and authority to find out if someone has repented or not, as well as to save and condemn. If He discovers that someone has repented, He will baptize him with the Holy Spirit for salvation. But if He discovers that someone has not repented, He will baptize him with fire for punishment, even though they have already been baptized with water.”
John, Himself, Explained Matthew 3:11 in verse 12
After mentioning them previously, John prophetically explained the concepts of baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire in Matthew 3:12 to avoid being misunderstood. God inspired him to do so because, He, as an all-knowing God, foresaw that John’s statement can be misunderstood by some people.
So, explaining the concepts, John revealed that the two baptisms by Jesus Christ are separate realities. Baptism with the Holy Spirit denotes acceptance plus salvation, while baptism with fire denotes rejection plus punishment.
John Clarified his Explanation with Imagery and Symbolism
To make his explanation of baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire clear, John employed imagery and symbolism. Talking about Jesus Christ, who administers these two baptisms, he says:
In the above, the words “wheat” and “chaff” symbolize the saved and the condemned, respectively, while “barn” and “unquenchable fire” also symbolize the kingdom of God and the everlasting fire of hell respectively. Interestingly, Jesus Christ himself describes hell-fire as “fire that is not quenched” in Mark 9:44.
What about “Tongues as of Fire” on Pentecost Day?
Some people think that the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of “tongues as of fire” on the day of Pentecost, recorded in Acts 2:2, is the baptism with fire.
This is wrong. The Bible didn’t say the Holy Spirit came as tongues of fire. Rather, it says He came like tongues as of fire. This, as some Bible translations even render it, means like, resembling, in the form of tongues of fire but not fire itself.
Didn’t the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus like a Dove?
The Holy Spirit can come in any form without being that thing. After Jesus’ water baptism by John, in Matthew 3:16 and Luke 3:22, the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. Does this mean that He is a dove? No.
Conclusion
Baptism with fire, in Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16, is a Biblical concept that means punishment with the unquenchable fire of hell, while baptism of/by fire is an English idiom that represents a process of undergoing challenges, trials, or intense experiences that test one’s resolve, character, and beliefs. Baptism with fire is not meant to be interpreted outside of its context because only its context tells us what it means.
ADDITIONAL READING
Why the Seven Sons Of Sceva Failed To Cast Out Demons In Name Of Jesus