What is the Baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire? I submit some thoughts below, and welcome any feedback.
Matt. 3:10-12 reads:
"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but 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 fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Here we see that the baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire involves the burning up of the chaff with unquenchable fire. The language here is the same language used of "Hellfire" throughout the 4 gospels. So it is evident that to be baptized with fire is to be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Indeed, Jesus described His own death on the cross as a baptism of fire (Luke 12:49-50), and so it becomes evident that the second death is none but the death of the second Adam. To be baptized with fire, then, is to be crucified with Christ (Romans 6:4). It is to have the lusts of the flesh crucified; it is to have the wood. hay, and stubble consumed in the Holy flame of God (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Thoughts?
Matt. 3:10-12 reads:
"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but 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 fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Here we see that the baptism of Holy Spirit and Fire involves the burning up of the chaff with unquenchable fire. The language here is the same language used of "Hellfire" throughout the 4 gospels. So it is evident that to be baptized with fire is to be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. Indeed, Jesus described His own death on the cross as a baptism of fire (Luke 12:49-50), and so it becomes evident that the second death is none but the death of the second Adam. To be baptized with fire, then, is to be crucified with Christ (Romans 6:4). It is to have the lusts of the flesh crucified; it is to have the wood. hay, and stubble consumed in the Holy flame of God (1 Corinthians 3:15).
Thoughts?