Baptism of fire?

[TOP]

With this weeks readings, one of John saying that he baptizes with water, but one greater is coming and He will baptize with water and fire, what do you think the “fire” is? Thanks

 

[bpbasilphx]

This is made very clear in the Byzantine Office for the Theophany or Baptism of Christ on 6 January.

You can come to Christ through the waters of Baptism, and He will baptise you the Holy Spirit.

OR you can ignore this, and He will baptize you in the fires of hell in the next world.

 

[Student09]

This is made very clear in the Byzantine Office for the Theophany or Baptism of Christ on 6 January.

You can come to Christ through the waters of Baptism, and He will baptise you the Holy Spirit.

OR you can ignore this, and He will baptize you in the fires of hell in the next world.

If that were what was meant, wouldn’t he have said “the Holy Spirit OR fire”? But he says, “he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost *and *fire” (Mt 3:11, douay-rheims, emphasis added).

I’d be more inclined to think that the passage was related to these passages:

**“But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire” (Job 23:10)

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: Thou art my people: and they shall say: The Lord is my God.” (Zacharias 13:9)

“As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.” (Prov. 17:3)

“That the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7)

“For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.” (Eccl. 2:5)

“Many shall be chosen, and made white, and shall be tried as fire” (Daniel 12:10)**

Considering these and many, many more similar references throughout the Old and New Testaments, I think it is pretty clear that the fire is applicable to those who are chosen and that it is a purifying fire, consisting of various trials of faith such as Job went through, and refining our hearts like a precious metal.

 

[TOP]

This is made very clear in the Byzantine Office for the Theophany or Baptism of Christ on 6 January.

You can come to Christ through the waters of Baptism, and He will baptise you the Holy Spirit.

OR you can ignore this, and He will baptize you in the fires of hell in the next world.

*Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem (?-639), monk, Bishop
Hymn of the Byzantine Office of the Theophany (copyright Mother Mary of the Monastery of the Veil of the Mother of God)

“The heavens opened and the Father’s voice resounded: ‘This is my Son, the Beloved’” (Alleluia verse)
Today the Sun that never sets has risen and the world is filled with splendour by the light of the Lord… Today the clouds drop down upon mankind the dew of righteousness from on high. Today, the Uncreated of His own will accepts the laying on of hands from His own creature. Today the Prophet and Forerunner approaches the Master, but stands before Him with trembling, seeing the condescension of God towards us.

Today waters of the Jordan are transformed into healing by coming of the Lord… Today the transgressions of men are washed away by the waters of the Jordan. Today Paradise been opened to men and the Sun of Righteousness shines down upon us (Mal 3,20)… Today the Master hastens towards baptism that He may lift man up to the heights. Today He that bows not, bows down to His own servant that He may set us free from bondage. Today we have purchased the Kingdom of Heaven: for the Lord’s Kingdom shall have no end.

Today earth and sea share the joy of the world, and the world is filled with gladness. «The waters, O God, the waters saw Thee and were afraid» (Ps 78[77],17). «The Jordan turned back» (Ps 113,3), seeing the fire of the Godhead descending bodily and entering its stream. The Jordan turned back, beholding the Holy Spirit coming down in the form of a dove and flying about Thee. The Jordan turned back, seeing the Invisible made visible, the Creator made flesh, the Master in the form of a servant…The clouds gave voice, marvelling at Him who was come, the Light of Light, true God of true God.

For today in the Jordan they saw the triumph of the Master; they saw Him drown in the death of disobedience, the sting of error, and the chains of hell, and bestow upon the world the salvation.*

No, not very clear at all.

 

[thistle]

With this weeks readings, one of John saying that he baptizes with water, but one greater is coming and He will baptize with water and fire, what do you think the “fire” is? Thanks

Fire is the Holy Spirit.