Baptism of Fire

1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalms 11, Matthew 3

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Matthew 3:11, 12

The water baptism of repentance and the Spirit baptism of cleansing and empowerment are both essential for discipleship and living on mission with Jesus. Just as we are immersed in water, so we are to be immersed, or filled, with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit disciples us into the ways of God and opposes all sin. The fire of the Holy Spirit is cleansing and refining for Jesus’ followers, but judgment for unbelievers. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Those filled with the Spirit will be burdened and grieved within by sin and its consequences.

Do we know both the baptism of water and the Spirit?

This will radically change how we view sin, both in our lives and in the lives of others.

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your Spirit this day. Glorify your name through my life.”