Baptism in Fire: Third witness – Jesus Christ

Baptism in Fire: Least Taught Doctrine

Probably one of the least taught doctrine’s of Jesus Christ is the Baptism in Fire.  The baptism in fire was first shown by John the Baptist.

• Matthew 3:11, “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.”

It is Jesus Christ himself that baptizes the believer.  The believer must always remember that the baptism in fire is for his benefit.

Baptism in Fire: Not Easily Understood

The baptism in fire is not always an easy thing to understand. When a Christian is going through his baptism in fire he cannot always see the end result.   Just remember the baptism in fire is to make the believer holy and righteous like his Father in heaven.

• Hebrews 12:9-11, “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Baptism in Fire: For Rewards

We must always remember that the baptism in fire is for our good and not our harm. God will use our testings and trials for our reward.

• I Peter 1:6-7, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

Baptism in Fire: Jesus’s Baptism in Fire

Not only does God desire to reward us through our trials he also gives us an example of suffering by revealing Jesus Christ’s suffering.   His trial at the cross reveals Jesus’s baptism in fire.

• Matthew 20:17-19, “And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.”

• Matthew 20:20-23, “Then came to him the mother of Zebedde’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by my Father.”

• Matthew 20:24-28, “And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many.”

Baptism in Fire: Celebrated at Communion

It is in these verses that Jesus demonstates the third witness, the baptism in fire. For Jesus this meant his death on the cross and the shedding of his blood for all mankind. This is the blood that cleanses from all sin. This is the blood that washes whiter than snow. This is the blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

• I Corinthians 11:24-32, “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take eat: this my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

It is the Lord’s baptism in fire that believers celebrate when they take part of the bread and wine of communion. Let us celebrate this communion with Christ with great humility, gratitude, and thanksgiving.
In Christ
J-me
Copyright 2009 J-me

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Other Articles in this series are “Baptism in Fire: Believers”

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