SEMESTER 5
478 – The Baptism with Fire
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY V LESSON # 78
THE BAPTISM WITH FIRE
Read Mat. 3:11-12
, Lk. 3:1-18, Mk. 1:7-8, Acts 1:5; 2:1-5.
INTRODUCTION:
1. There is much misunderstanding about “the baptism of fire.”
2. Clarification on this issue also compliments truth concerning the “Baptism of the Holy Ghost.”
I. NO BAPTISM OF EITHER HOLY GHOST OR FIRE
1. A great basic error is that the Holy Ghost does the baptizing (not a Bible teaching).
2. Water does not baptize, nor does fire, nor does the Holy Ghost.
3. They were to be baptized with or in, Holy Ghost or fire as with or in water.
II. BOTH BAPTISM WITH HOLY GHOST AND FIRE ARE OF OR BY CHRIST
1. John clearly said Christ would do it, not the Holy Ghost or the fire. (Luke 3:16-17)
2. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
3. In this He does a work of separation. (Luke 3:17)
4. The metaphor of the threshing floor and the winnowing fan is what John makes reference to in this work.
5. The wheat is to be separated from the chaff, and the chaff only is burned, or baptized with fire.
6. Notice hell is as much a creation and a work of Jesus Christ as is heaven. He uses hell.
7. The “wrath to come” (Luke 3:7) is of this Mighty One whom John announces.
8. Never think of Satan as in charge of hell.
III. THE BAPTISM WITH FIRE DOES NOT TAKE PLACE ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST
1. The cloven tongues were not fire, but “like as of fire.” (Acts 2:3)
2. The tongues only sat upon them. They were not immersed, as they were with the Holy Ghost.
3. Unbelievers (Lk. 3:7) shall be immersed with fire. (Lk. 16:23-24)
4. The baptism of fire was not promised on the Day of Pentecost. (Mk. 1:7 and Acts 1:5)
IV. A BAPTISM OF FIRE IS COMING
1. It is for His enemies, the “chaff,” those who are not “His wheat.”(Lk. 3:7,8 and 16)
2. It will finally and fully take place at the end of the world. (Matt. 13:24-30 compared to Matt. 13:37-43.)
3. It is experienced in a practical sense at the death of the wicked. (Lk. 16:22-26)
4. The baptism of fire is not to be sought, but to be avoided. (Matt. 10:22-26)
5. The gospel is like a net, fishing for men. It is also like a winnowing fan separating wheat from chaff.