Difference between revisions of "Baptism Of Fire"

<p> 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" (&nbsp;Matthew 3:11; cf. &nbsp;Luke 3:16 ). </p> <p> Throughout Scripture, fire often represents judgment (&nbsp;Genesis 19:24; &nbsp;2 Kings 1:10; &nbsp;Amos 1:4-7; &nbsp;Matthew 7:19; &nbsp;2 Thessalonians 1:8; &nbsp;James 5:3 ), including everlasting punishment (&nbsp;Matthew 18:8; &nbsp;Jude 7 ). But it can also have a positive, purifying effect on God's people (&nbsp;Isaiah 1:25; &nbsp;Zechariah 13:9; &nbsp;Malachi 3:2-3; &nbsp;1 Corinthians 3:13-15; &nbsp;1 Peter 1:7; &nbsp;Revelation 3:18 ). </p> <p> In the context of John's preaching, it is natural to associate the baptism of fire with judgment (cf. &nbsp;Matthew 3:10,12; &nbsp;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. &nbsp;Isaiah 4:4 ). Pentecost may well represent the firstfruits of purgation for believers, but the baptism is not complete until all people experience final judgment. </p> <p> [[Craig]] L. Blomberg </p> <p> <i> See also </i> [[Baptism]] Of The Holy Spirit; Holy Spirit; [[Gifts Of Holy Spirit]] </p> <p> <i> Bibliography </i> . J. D. G. Dunn, <i> Baptism in the Holy Spirit; NIDNTT, </i> 1:652-57. </p>