“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11 (NLT)
I have been in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles all my life and have given countless invitations for people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But I do not recall ever asking for those who wanted to receive the Holy Spirit “and fire.” Nor have I heard such an invitation from others. Why is that?
First, we understand that receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts is not an indication of spiritual maturity. The Corinthians had all of the spiritual gifts, and yet they were immature. They had factions and divisions; they weren’t particularly good at sharing, even the communion meal. I recall someone saying once, “There is something wrong when we see people speaking in tongues and yet living like the devil.”
Both Matthew and Luke’s Gospels joined the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. In John 20, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” In the Pentecost sermon, Peter declares that those who repent and are baptized will “Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
We see Holy Spirit baptism as something to receive, but we know that fire consumes (Hebrews 12:29). Fire purifies and cleanses, among many attributes. Unquestionably, the church needs to proclaim the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but we must not neglect the baptism of fire.
The Nature of Fire
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)
Fire is multifaceted. To understand why we should accept and even welcome the test of fire, we need to know its nature and purpose.
- Fire reveals (1 Corinthians 3:13). Fire will reveal the value of our work. The use of inferior materials will not withstand testing.
- Fire refines or purifies (Malachi 3:1-3). There is nothing that purifies like fire. Water cannot cleanse in the same way. If there is filth or dirt on the outside of gold, water can wash it away, but only fire can remove what is on the inside.
- Fire consumes (Ezekiel 24:11-13). Fire destroys corruption and impurity.
- Fire illuminates (Proverbs 20:27). The light from the fire reveals what is hidden. When we have the fire of God within us, our lives will reveal God to the world.
- Fire warms (Luke 24:30-32). When we carry the fire of God within us, doubters, skeptics, and sinners will know that something is different about us.
Accepting the baptism of fire along with the baptism of the Holy Spirit prepares us in a more complete way. Fire removes those impurities and imperfections to reveal the true source of power in our lives.
Furthermore, fire energizes and spreads. But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it! Jeremiah 20:9 (NLT) The nature of fire is a force that will change us on the inside and also the environment around us. The old song proclaims, “Oh Lord, send the fire just now…”
Wonderful Joy Ahead
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:6–7 (NLT)
Every parent has said to a child, “Don’t play with fire.” We associate fire with danger, particularly for the young or uninitiated. Fire can be associated with pain or destruction. With these warnings in mind, we may be reluctant to be exposed to the fire.
In the way that Jesus looked beyond the cross to the joy that was on the other side, we can look forward to being tested by fire because what emerges will be pure gold. Actually, the text says that our faith will be far more precious than gold. Enduring trials may not be something we look forward to, but staying faithful through trials is priceless.
Pure Gold
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. Job 23:10 (NLT)
At the onset, I asked why we do not ask for people who want to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit “and fire.” The simple reason is because that’s not the way it works. Everyone experiences testing in some form. The child of God who desires to live a godly life will inevitably be tested by fire. Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT).
Not everyone undergoes the baptism of fire in the same way. Job is offered as an example of patience while suffering, but the baptism of fire may come at us in diverse ways. We have seen Christ-followers tested by fire in their health, or in their finances. Your baptism of fire may come through relationships, strained marriages, or prodigal children, or in a million diverse ways.
Increasingly, believers around the world are being tested because of their faith in Christ Jesus. It is not wise to compare our testing with others. Job exclaimed, “But he knows where I am going.” God also knows where you and I are going as well, and he is with us.
Remember: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? Romans 8:35 (NLT). Christ gives us the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and he is with us through our baptism of fire.
Steve Ekeroth