Baptism Of Fire

BAPTISM OF FIRE [isbe]

BAPTISM OF FIRE - (en pneumati hagio kai puri): This expression is used in Mt 3:11. The copulative kai requires that the baptism "in the Holy Ghost and in fire," should be regarded as one and the same thing. It does violence to the construction, therefore, to make this statement refer to the fire Of judgment. The difficulty has always been in associating fire with the person of the Holy Ghost. But in the connection of fire with the work or influence of the Holy Ghost the difficulty disappears. The thought of John is that the Saviour would give them the Divine Sanctifier as purifying water to wash away their sins and as a refining fire to consume their dross; to kindle in their hearts the holy flame of Divine love and zeal; to illuminate their souls with heavenly wisdom. The statement, therefore, in this verse indicates the manner in which Christ will admit them to discipleship and prepare them for His service.

See BAPTISM; FIRE.

Jacob W. Kapp

Baptism of Fire [baker]

As John the Baptist preached in the Judean wilderness, he declared, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who … will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Matt 3:11; cf. Luke 3:16).

Throughout Scripture, fire often represents judgment (Gen 19:24; 2 Kings 1:10; Amos 1:4-7; Matt 7:19; 2 Thess 1:8; James 5:3), including everlasting punishment (Matt 18:8; Jude 7). But it can also have a positive, purifying effect on God's people (Isa 1:25; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:2-3; 1 Cor 3:13-15; 1 Peter 1:7; Rev 3:18).

In the context of John's preaching, it is natural to associate the baptism of fire with judgment (cf. Matt 3:10, 12; Luke 3:9, 17). On the other hand, John is first of all addressing believers—those who are receiving his water-baptism. So some think of the fiery tongues at Pentecost as the fulfillment of his prediction. But the grammatical construction in Greek (the use of one preposition to govern two objects) is most naturally taken as referring to only one baptism that involves both blessing and judgment (cf. esp. Isa 4:4). Pentecost may well represent the firstfruits of purgation for believers, but the baptism is not complete until all people experience final judgment.

Craig L. Blomberg

See also Baptism of the Holy Spirit; Holy Spirit; Holy Spirit, Gifts of

Bibliography. J. D. G. Dunn, Baptism in the Holy Spirit; NIDNTT, 1:652-57.