BAPTISM OF FIRE

Matt. 3:1-12

By David J. Riggs

I. Notice that the main theme of the text is a warning of judgment.
   A. If they did not repent, there was coming a Great Judge who
      would baptize them with fire.
   B. John also revealed the power of this Mighty One by stating
      that He would also baptize with the Holy Spirit..
      1. Later, we have verses which tell us exactly how this was
         fulfilled.  Acts 1:4-5
II. As I mentioned, the main theme of this text is a warning of
    judgment from the Mighty One to those who would not repent.
   A. This Mighty One would also baptize "with fire" (KJV) or "in
      fire (ASV).
      1. The little preposition "en" in the original Greek is
         translated in many different ways in our English N.T.
         Scriptures: "in" 1874 times, "by" 141, "with" 134,
         "among" 117, "at" 112, "on" 46, "through" 37,
         miscellaneous uses 321; Total: 2782.
         a. It is used with both the Holy Spirit and fire in Luke
            3:16.
         b. The "winnowing fan" was a flat shovel (tool) used
            to toss the wheat into the air so that the chaff would
            be blown away.
         c. The emphasize here is on separation and the chaff
            being burned.
   B. As we know, the word baptize means "immerse."  Hence, this
      Mighty One would immerse those who would not repent in
      fire.
      1. This is John's main theme as shown by the verse before
         (vs. 10) and the verse after (vs. 12).
         a. The thoughts of verse 10 are used elsewhere for the
            punishment of evil doers.  Matt. 7:19
         b. Verse 12 uses the expression "unquenchable fire"
            which refers to eternal punishment.
      2. Thus, we must conclude that the "baptism of fire" here is
         the eternal fire.
III. Remember, John is encouraging an evil people to repent.
   A. His words are a strong warning to all those who keep in their
      stubborn course of sin.
   B. Those who remain in the stubborn course of sin will be
      immersed in fire by the Mighty Judge.
      1. He tells them not only to repent, but to bring forth fruits
         worthy of repentance ("Or answerable to amendment of
         life" Footnote KJV).
   C. People sometime ask, "Will it be a literal fire?" "How can it
      be "fire" and also "outer darkness?"  My answer is, "I don't
      know."
      1. However, remember that both John's and the Lord's
         description of the eternal punishment is "fire."
      2. Thus, whatever the punishment is, it was best depicted by
         holy men of God as an immersion in unquenchable fire.
   D. Thus, we should seek to avoid it at all cost.

If you are subject, will you not repent?  There's a Great Judge
coming who will immerse in fire all those who do not bear fruits
worthy of repentance.  Hence, "...Repent, turn to God, and do works
befitting repentance."  Acts 26:19-20