2740.— Baptism of Fire.
By J. H. O.
Is it proper for Christians to pray for the baptism of fire? Matt. 3:11. Read the context. Note the two classes which Jesus presents before us: The generation of vipers, those who call for repentance; the tree that brings forth good fruit, the tree that brings forth evil fruit. Note the illustration of the grain gatherer. He thoroly cleanses his thrashing-floor. The wheat he gathers into his garner, the chaff he burns with unquenchable fire. To these two classes Jesus was to come, John baptized in water unto repentance, but the Mighty One would fully baptize all, the one class in His Spirit, the other class in fire: "He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit, and in fire." The "you" embraces both classes to whom John was talking. That baptism of fire will come when our Lord reveals Himself the second time; the burning glory of His presence, in which sin and those who have identified themselves with sin can not exist. "Our God is a consuming fire," we read in Heb. 12:29. That fire consumes only sin. In the light of these facts, and there are still other considerations of the same tenor, it would hardly seem as tho one should want to pray for the baptism of fire.