Spend some time in modern Pentecostal and Charismatic circles and you will hear some preacher or lay person preaching or speaking on the “Baptism of the Holy Ghost and FIRE, with much emphasis on the FIRE! True Bible believers will have no trouble believing the baptism of the Holy Ghost that John the Baptist spoke of in Mathew chapter three. Just as well, any true any Bible believer who has a discernment of the Scriptures would not dare receive and believe or touch the “Baptism of FIRE!” with a 100 foot high pressure fire hose! Most Pentecostals/Charismatics and all who run to and fro around Acts 2:38 are spinning on their heals already, and running to the hills of unbelief with even just a hint that Mathew 3:11 speaks of two separate baptisms. Can you stick with me for a few minutes while I “show you the word of God?”. Thank you.
Please exercise patience while we look at Mathew 3:11 in the light of the fire in Matthew 3:12. Many brethren and false brethren have exercised a lot of zeal “but not according to knowledge” when they read verse 11 and left off before reading verse 12.
…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:… Mt.3 :11
NOTICE, JOHN DID NOT END THE PASSAGE UNTILL THE HOLY GHOST RELAYED THE FOLLOWING!
…Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner: BUT he will BURN UP the chaff with UNQUENCHABLE FIRE. Mt .3:12
The Holy Ghost ended Johns discourse about Jesus without a break in the sentence that is verses 11 and 12. The fire in verse 11 is the same fire referred to in verse 12. Be careful what you ask for! You cannot have it both ways. Jesus administers both baptisms, but it is the Holy Ghost OR Fire. You have a choice, but you cannot have and do not want it both ways. Same administrator; different baptisms, different consequences! Choose to be born again and have the Spirit of Jesus Christ come to dwell in your body until you are taken home in death or the rapture. You do not want any part of the “baptism of fire” spoken of in these two verses. The baptism of fire takes place in hell and in the eternal lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
