The Baptism of Fire

By: Larry Yarber

             "I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:11-12).

            Some scholars believe the above statement refers to only one baptism but most view it as a reference to two different baptisms. The first is believed to be the baptism of the Holy Spirit received on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:4) and then later on by the household of Cornelius in Caesarea (Acts 10:44-48). Due to the mention of the gathering of the wheat into the garner and the burning of the chaff in unquenchable fire most scholars believe the second baptism here is in view of the fires of hell and eternal judgment (Matthew 3:12). This writer is in agreement with both of these conclusions. Thus, John was saying that the Lord was going to send His Holy Spirit unto mankind and those who accepted and obeyed the word of God as spoken through the Holy Spirit would, in the judgment day, be granted entrance into heaven. On the other hand, those who rejected these teachings as presented through the Holy Spirit would be cast into the fires of hell. Therefore, the baptism of fire in this passage is a reference to the judgment day and the final condemnation of the wicked.

            The good news is everyone is not subject to the baptism of fire. Only those who reject God's teachings as given through the Holy Spirit are doomed to condemnation, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized (water baptism - LY) shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). John penned, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:15). And again, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Finally, our Lord described hell as a place, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44, 46, and 48), "And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30). But remember, this baptism is only applicable to the disobedient. It is not for all men.

            To the contrary, the obedient will be blessed, "His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:21 and v-23). Here it is said, "... Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:3-4), "And there shall be no more curse: ... and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; ... And there shall be no night there; ... for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:3-5). Those who accept and obey the teachings of God as presented through the Holy Spirit will escape the baptism of fire.

            The baptism of fire is only applicable to the disobedient. If God were to return today, would you be a subject of this baptism?

“I Believe God Wants Me To Be Happy”

By: Todd Clippard

            Earlier this year I was in a conversation with a fellow Christian who made the following statement, “I believe God wants me to be happy.” It was the second time I remember hearing those exact words coming from a fellow Christian, and the circumstances and topic of discussion were exactly the same – both men were divorced for reasons other than fornication and looking for an “out” from Matthew 19:9 so they could remarry.

            Where did anyone ever get the idea that our personal happiness is God’s greatest desire? While sermonizing not too long ago, I made mention of evangelical sensation, Joel Osteen, and his brazen refusal to speak about sin, repentance or hell. Many have rightfully identified him as nothing but a “feel good” preacher. No one ever leaves one of his services with any inclination that they need to repent or amend their ways. Tragically, this attitude toward preaching and so-called Christian living has found its way into the hearts and lives of Christians. But think about the ramifications of this type of thinking.

            Such thinking says God is willing to overlook, and worse still, condone sin for the sake of one’s personal happiness. But God is of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look upon wickedness (Hab. 1:13). Is God so desirous of your happiness that He will condone adultery? How then will “for whosoever shall divorce his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery” (Mt. 19:9) be reconciled with “know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived! Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10)? These two passages can never be reconciled under the influence of this thinking. Speaking of heaven, John wrote, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie)” (Rev. 21:27).

            But what other sins will God overlook in order to ensure our happiness? If God is willing to overlook sexual sins for the sake of my happiness, then He most certainly will overlook the drunkard and his love for the bottle. No doubt He will ignore the gambler whose high stakes poker games bring him much joy. Without question He will disregard the foul language of the man who finds much pleasure in regaling his co-workers with the latest jokes and off-color tales. Where will it end?

            It ends with God’s word as given to Saul: “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams…” (1 Sam. 15:22-23). More than our happiness, God desires our faithfulness. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, but that life is not one of guaranteed joy. The early church was persecuted and her members tortured and slain for their faith (Acts 26:9-11). All such sacrifice was a needless waste had they only known they could deny the faith to ensure their happiness.