Baptism by Fire

     "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 

     Soldiers who have been in combat will tell you that all that stuff they said about patriotism, and love of country evaporates in the heat of battle. They are no longer fighting for their country or some ideology, but are fighting for their lives and the lives of the man to the right and left of them. When one of those men goes down, another will be sent to take his place in the line. Though the replacement wears the same uniform; has the same commander; and has had the same training, he has no chance of being accepted until he proves himself in combat. Until he undergoes a baptism by fire, no man is brother to those who have been tested.

     The Bible is not riddled with contradictions as some suppose, however it is home to many paradoxes. To save your life you must lose it; give and you shall prosper; to name a couple. Here is another, Jesus said: “ ^{Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division... “ He, the Prince of Peace, also told the same disciples: “ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...”}

     The life and teachings of Jesus Christ will bring you peace of heart, mind and soul. They will not bring you peace with the world. On the contrary, they will engender division and strife. It is a division that today's Christian sees growing with each passing day. Those who look for the coming of the Lord must face the fire of the world's hatred. Until we pass through that fire with an unrepentant, uncompromising, confession of Christ, we will never experience the peace of salvation.

     “ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ...” The world hates Him; we love Him, and a great gulf separates the two. To pass from one side to the other is to pass through the fire. We are baptized by fire; not even the scent of smoke clings to us. We are washed in the blood; not a spot or a wrinkle shows. We are saved by grace and no power in hell or on earth can remove us from His hand.

Holy Ghost and Fire

^“And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire...”

Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a foundation stone of Pentecost. The two are said together as though they are one and the same. We say, "he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and Fire.” It is sometimes said, “he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Sadly, I've never heard, “he shall baptize you with fire.” Why is that?

The statement is true no matter how you say it. Nevertheless, the two elements are not the same experience. Every Christian who pursues the baptism of the Holy Ghost, may receive it. Yet, every Christian, whether he seeks it or not, will be baptized with fire. Peter tells us, “ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you...” Every one God receives will be tried throughout the course of his/her discipleship.

We will be tried, not because we have sinned or because God is capricious, but because God is no respecter of persons. Adam, our father, was tried in the midst of paradise. We shall not have it as easy. We will face the trial of our faith in the midst of a hostile world. God, the world, and we ourselves shall see what we are made of; not always to our liking nor to the stroking of our ego.

By way of encouragement, please remember three things.

^“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.^” God is not out to get you or trip you up. God is building up a soul ready for an eternity of fellowship. You are that soul.

“Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” Though you fail some trials---and you will--- God remains faithful to His word of salvation. He will lift you up; clean you off and put you back on the king's highway.

“ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” Do not fear, what God has promised; He will do. He will complete the work begun in you to His satisfaction.

Jesus testified to the wisdom of John the Baptist. “ For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” Be baptized with the Holy Ghost and do not resist the baptism by fire.