Questions and Answers

Q: What is “the baptism of fire”? A: John the Baptist, forerunner of the Christ, said, “I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire” (Matt. 3:11.) See also Luke 3:16, 15. Mark, in his report of these words, omits the reference to “fire”. It is quite clear, from the contexts in Matthew and Luke, that John referred to two classes of people some of whom were to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and others who were to be baptized “in fire”. The pronoun “you,” which the harbinger used is not universal; it is not meant that all men were to be baptized either with the spirit or with fire; it is indefinitely used and signifies that among those whom John addressed were people who would be baptized in the Spirit and others who would be baptized “in fire.” The context also shows that the fire alluded to is the instrument of punishment of the wicked at the last day: “He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire” (Matt. 3:11,12). The second use of the word fire here should be carefully noted. It is obviously an allusion to the “baptism in fire,” mentioned in the verse preceding. Moreover, in verse 10, preceding the reference to baptism “in fire,” it is said that “every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Thus, the word “fire” occurs three times in three verses in this immediate context. The first and third instances state positively the penal nature of the fire. It is absurd to assume that in the instance between them, he meant something entirely different. Moreover, the character of that which is to be burned (chaff), is put in contrast with that which is to be gathered into the garner, (wheat). Thus, the “fire” that burns the chaff (the disobedient), is the fire of punishment; and this is the “fire” which is referred to as a baptism in verse 11. It figuratively describes the plunging of the wicked into the lake of fire at the last day, (Rev. 20:14,15).