What is referred to as the Baptism with Fire

John the Baptist talks about baptism with water and baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire. Baptism with fire refers to God's judgment. Jesus will baptize believers with the Holy Spirit and unbelievers with fire. Judgment is not only for unbelievers, but also for Christians. John's water baptism prepares for the greater baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire at Jesus' second coming. Welcome to our weekly exhortation. Thank you for joining me today. Thank you for your precious time. My name is Hila Muni, Servant of God, Servant of Jesus Christ. We would like to know what is referred to as the Baptism with Fire in Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 11. In the scripture, there is mention of baptism that God commands every believer to have. In Mark Chapter 1 Verse 8, John the Baptist talks about water baptism and baptism with the Holy Spirit. But in Matthew Chapter 3, he reveals another form of baptism one can have. He said, I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose son does I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. What is referred to as baptism with fire? How and when do we have it? Praise the Lord. In fact, baptism is a covenant of union between the believers and God. Water baptism is a beautiful picture of what our Lord Jesus has done for us. It is an act of repentance which shows that we were buried with him through baptism into death and were raised from the dead with him, Romans Chapter 6 Verse 4. He also talks about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In fact, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit when the Spirit of God comes and dwells in us following our new birth. This grace, the life of God, is given to anyone who comes to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Hallelujah. Now, what about baptism with fire? Here we need to go back to the teaching of John the Baptist. In Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 11, John the Baptist said, I baptize you with water for repentance, and 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 with fire. In this passage, John the Baptist is speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to be baptized. He is explaining to them that his baptism is the water one and that a much stronger form of baptism by the Holy Spirit and by fire will follow. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire, he told them. Friend, it is from this verse that the expression baptism by fire comes. At first sight, some may think that baptism of fire refers to the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent and manifested in the form of tongues of fire on each of the disciples. I seriously doubt that this is the case. You can find this in Acts Chapter 2 Verse 2 to 3. In fact, careful reading of the last sentence indicates that he who comes after John the Baptist will baptize them either with the Holy Spirit or with fire. In other words, Jesus will baptize the truly penitent in the grace of the Holy Spirit but he will baptize the impenitent in the fire of judgment. You know, it is important to see that the verse in Matthew is found in the context of judgment. This is clear when we look at the previous and following verses in Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 10 and 12. In fact, in Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 10, it is written, 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. It should be noted here that the axe is not applied to the trunk of the tree but to the roots. This means that no chance of life is given to the tree to live anymore. It is also a sign that there will be no possibility of having the life of God. Remember, the function of roots is to absorb water and minerals and transport them to the plants. So, if the roots are cut off, there will be no support to the plants. Hallelujah! John the Baptist continues his preaching with this statement in Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 12. He says, His white-winged fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn, and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. It is important to notice here that the unquenchable fire is an expression for hell. So, it is obvious that the baptism with fire John the Baptist is talking about refers to the fire of God's judgment. It says here that Jesus will gather his wheat into the barn. This means the Messiah's gathering of his people is his baptism with the Holy Spirit. And, he will burn the chaff with never-ending fire. That is, the baptism with fire. Furthermore, baptism symbolizes or represents death or suffering. We can find this in the teachings of the Lord Jesus. Take, for example, Luke Chapter 12 Verse 50 where Jesus says, I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am constrained till it is accomplished. You know, when Jesus speaks of his baptism, he is making a reference to his own death. He is saying, I have a death for which I must die. We can certainly say that baptism with fire means suffering or death by fire in hell. Conclusion. In Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 11, John the Baptist said, I baptize you with water for repentance. But, he who is coming after me is mightier than I. Whosoever I am not, I will baptize you with water for repentance. I baptize you with water for repentance. But, he who is coming after me is mightier than I. Whosoever I am not worthy to carry, he, meaning Jesus Christ, will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Our question was, what is referred to as the baptism with fire? And, when do we have it? Friend, the immediate context of Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 11 is judgment. The baptism with fire is the baptism of God's judgment. We know that the Lord Jesus is coming in flaming fire to judge those who do not know God. 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 Verse 3 to 10. So, the baptism with fire is the baptism of God's judgment. The Messiah's burning of the shaft is his baptism with fire of the unbelievers in hell. So, when do we have the baptism of that unquestionable fire? Well, it is when we fail to do good. My hope is found in the blood of the Lamb. Day after day He takes my hand. My hope in Jesus is all that I have. My hope is found in the great I Am. You know what? Some Christians have this idea that judgment is only for unbelievers. That believers do not come under any kind of baptism with fire. The Bible does not say that. The Bible says that Christians will be judged too. Praise the Lord. Finally, we should know that John's water baptism is just a preparation for the much greater baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire that will occur under the second coming of the Lord Jesus. I look to the cross where my Savior died. As I picture Him there nailed and crucified. Well, this is the end of today's message. Friend, I do hope you enjoyed this message. If the Lord Jesus will, we will be together next week for more. Abundant blessings. Shalom. My hope in Jesus is all that I have. My hope is found in the great I Am. My hope in Jesus is all that I have. My hope is found in the great I Am.