The phrase baptism by fire or baptism of fire is a Christian theological concept originating from the words of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11.[1]

It also has related meanings in military history and popular culture.

Christianity

The term baptism with fire originated from the words of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11 (and the parallel passage in Luke 3:16).[1]:

Matthew 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" King James Version 1611

Many Christian writers, such as John Kitto, have noted that this could be taken as a hendiadys, the Spirit as fire, or as pointing out two distinct baptisms - one by the Spirit, one by fire. If two baptisms, then various meanings have been suggested for the second baptism, by fire - to purify each single individual who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, to cast out demons and to destroy the stronghold of the flesh by the Fire of God.[2]

Of this expression, J. H. Thayer commented: "to overwhelm with fire (those who do not repent), i.e., to subject them to the terrible penalties of hell".[3] W. E. Vine noted regarding the "fire" of this passage: "of the fire of Divine judgment upon the rejectors of Christ, Matt. 3:11 (where a distinction is to be made between the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the fire of Divine retribution)".[4] Arndt and Gingrich speak of the "fire of divine Judgment Mt. 3:11; Lk. 3:16".[5]

However, as J. W. McGarvey observed, the phrase "baptize you ... in the fire" also refers to the day of Pentecost, because there was a "baptism of fire" which appears as the tongue of fire on that day. Parted "tongues," which were mere "like as of fire ... sat upon" each of the apostles. Those brothers were "overwhelmed with the fire of The Holy Spirit" on that occasion.[6] Similarly, Matthew Henry comments that as "fire make[s] all it seizes like itself... so does the Spirit make the soul holy like itself."[7]

The concept of baptism by 'fire and the Holy Spirit' lies behind the Consolamentum rite of the Cathars or Albigenses.

Methodism (inclusive of the holiness movement)

In Methodism (inclusive of the holiness movement), baptism by fire is synonymous with the second work of grace: entire sanctification, which is also known as Baptism with the Holy Spirit.[1]

Jabulani Sibanda, a theologian in the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, says with regard to entire sanctification:[1]

This experience is important because it is the second work of grace. It leads to purity of heart, and it is the baptism by fire (Matthew 3:11) in which impurities are dealt with. This experience symbolizes the death to self as Paul said that he is crucified with Christ, “…I do not live but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). It is the singleness of the eye. “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matthew 6:22–23 KJV). Singleness of the eye is the opposite of what James addresses as double mindedness. He calls people to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. The person focuses on God alone; he or she is no longer unstable. It is also an experience of devotedness and separateness to God. This is an experience of one giving oneself totally to God.[1]

Pentecostalism

In Pentecostalism, baptism by fire is synonymous with Spirit baptism, which is accompanied by glossolalia (speaking in tongues).[8]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term relates to confirmation and the phrase "baptism of fire" or "baptism by fire" appears several times in Latter-day Saint canonized scripture, including: Doctrine and Covenants 20:41; Doctrine and Covenants 33:11; Doctrine and Covenants 39:6; and 2 Nephi 31:13–17.

The relation between the confirmation of the Holy Ghost and the baptism of fire is explained by David A. Bednar, a church apostle: "the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier who cleanses and burns dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire".[9]

Military usage

In the military usage, a baptism by fire refers to a soldier's first time in battle.[10] The Catholic Encyclopedia and writers such as John Deedy state that the term in a military sense entered the English language in 1822 as a translation of the French phrase baptême du feu.[11] From military usage the term has extended into many other areas in relation to an initiation into a new role.[12] The "Baptism By Fire: CIA Analysis of the Korean War" compilation features 1,300 documents spanning 1947 to 1954, offering insights on the Korean Peninsula. Released on the war's 60th anniversary, it constitutes the largest set of CIA records on the topic, coinciding with the "New Documents and New Histories: Twenty-First Century Perspectives on the Korean War" conference jointly organized by the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and the CIA in Independence, Missouri."[13]

The phrase 'baptism of fire' has also entered into popular culture. An example is Brothers in Arms (song) by the Dire Straits, which covers the British involvement in the Falklands war:

Through these fields of destructions
baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
as the battle raged higher.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Sibanda, Jabulani (2003). Why is the Doctrine and Experience of Holiness Important?. p. 114.
  2. ↑ Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature - Volume 1 - Page 640 John Kitto 1865 John McClintock, James Strong - 1871 "Whether this be taken as a hendiadys = the Spirit as fire, or as pointing out two distinct baptisms, the one by the Spirit, the other by fire; and whether, on the latter assumption, the baptism by fire means the destruction by Christ of his enemies (demons and fresh) in the life of each Christian"
  3. ↑ Thayer 1958, p. 94
  4. ↑ Vine 1991, p. 308
  5. ↑ Arndt & Gingrich 1967, p. 737
  6. ↑ McGarvey 1875, p. 38. As quoted in: Jackson, Wayne, "What Is the Baptism of Fire?", Christian Courier, Christian Courier Publications, ISSN 1559-2235
  7. ↑ Henry, Matthew, Commentary on Matthew 3
  8. ↑ Wayne, Luke (10 December 2018). "What is the "baptism of fire"? Is it different from Baptism in the Holy Spirit?". CARM. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  9. ↑ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  10. ↑ Baptism by Fire
  11. ↑ John G. Deedy The Catholic book of days 1990- Page 21 "Another incidental piece of religious history connected with that war: it provided the term "baptism of fire" its particular modern application; namely, a soldier's first experience in battle. baptized martyrs who died at the stake thus experienced a "
  12. ↑ Tribune - Volume 71 - Page 31 2007 "ANYONE seeking a practical definition of the term "baptism of fire" should have been in Edinburgh last month, when Hannah McGill made her debut as artistic director of the city's International Film Festival. Edinburgh's film festival has been ..."
  13. ↑ https://www.cia.gov/static/Baptism-by-Fire-CIA-Analysis.pdf
  •  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Arndt, William; Gingrich, F. W. (1967), Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago.
  • McGarvey, J. W. (1875), Commentary on Matthew and Mark, Des Moines, IA: Eugene Smith.
  • Thayer, J. H. (1958), Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Edinburgh, Scotland: T. & T. Clark.
  • Vine, W. E. (1991), Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Iowa Falls, IA: World.
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