Baptism of Fire

There are two meanings for the baptism of fire:

First, the baptism of the Holy Spirit who caused a fiery spirit to preach the gospel, and second, the baptism in the sense that a person drowned in the fire of suffering, purgatory.

This article will discuss the second sense, namely in the sense of Baptism of Fire: drowned in misery.

Mark 10:35-40

10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
10:36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

Verses 38 and 39 is clearly giving the sense that Jesus and his disciples had to experience a baptism of fire, that is soaked in misery.

Baptism of Fire has been prophesied by John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:11

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:

Implicitly, he also talks about the baptism of fire are here:

Matthew 16:24

16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

The cross and suffering is one path that must be passed every follower of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:19-24

2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Philippians 2:8-10

2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Brother,

Jesus was glorified by God not because He was chosen by God, baptized with water and be baptized with the Holy Spirit, but because Jesus was obedient and faithful until death, be faithful in obedience, faithful in suffering. That’s the main reason, why God highly exalted Jesus and gave Jesus Name above every name, and even all the power in Heaven and Earth as well.

The apostles of Jesus also experienced the same. The Apostle John had fried, Peter was crucified, and all the Apostles of Jesus experienced a baptism of fire.

There’s a little story of Peter before the execution. At that time, if I am not mistaken, Peter was in a city (Rome) and audible khabar that Peter will be arrested. By the congregation, Peter successfully evacuated out of town, but on the way Peter was met by Jesus.

Peter: “Master,  where are thou going?”
Jesus: “I am Going to Rome to be crucified again”

Based on that vision, Peter knew that he had to die in Rome, then she turned toward Rome, and he was arrested to be crucified. However, because Peter felt unworthy crucified like Jesus, so he asked for was crucified upside down.

For comparison, also apparently experienced a baptism of fire of God’s people in Old Testament times. Job was so blessed, until one day the devil suggested to God that Job was tested with: first, separated by wealth, and second, suffered pain so severe illness; Job sunk in misery, this figure is immersed in a baptism of fire, and he was successful. Baptism of fire has proven that Job truly love God not because of wealth or health. Baptism of fire shows the true quality of Job.

Another case with Israel. After the descent of Jacob was immersed in “water baptism”, passed the Red Sea, God brought His people into the baptism of fire, such as: thirst, hunger, wars and other sufferings. Most of the people of Israel did not successfully pass through this baptism of fire. When God allows them starve for three days, and found no water, they began a rampage ….. Baptism of fire reveals the low quality of the faith of some people of Israel.

Well, …

Water baptism, immersion in water is delicious, cold, fresh, …
Baptism of the Holy Spirit more than anything else, there is a tremendous peace, there are investments in the power of God, …

But every follower of Jesus Christ ought to prepare themselves to go through a baptism of fire, and should be ready, or should we stumbled in the middle of the road like some of the people of Israel, whose bodies were lying in the middle of the desert?

Jesus, Job, Daniel, Peter, Paul, all the characters it becomes very special by God after they successfully pass through a baptism of fire. Only the Holy Spirit who enables us through the baptism of fire.