John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16).

I am super excited to write about this topic! Born into Catholicism, raised Pentecostal, and Apostolic, but felt like I have encountered Luke 3:16 for the first time. Strange concept for someone who have studied the Bible extensively, on a personal and academic level. This scripture verse is so popular that it is the embodiment of the Pentecostal movement, ‘where emphasis is placed on the direct experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit’.

Why is it special, fascinating and disturbing at the same time? Mainstream Christianity focuses so much on the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, that we mostly neglect the latter end of the verse, ‘and with fire’. Of course we remember that our God is a consuming fire during prayers, songs and deliverance, but the desire to covet this fire… to be baptized in it ourselves is mostly championed by a minority; a remnant who remember that the tenets of revival necessitates the fire of God.

A pivotal question is, ‘Is baptism of the Holy Spirit the same as the baptism of Fire’? A review of Acts Chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost, depicts a gathering of about 120 persons in prayer and supplication (begging or asking earnestly) for the promise of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:8, Jesus had said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

Wow! These were the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. In other words, he read them his ‘will/testament’, bequeath his legacy… which was his very presence in Spirit form, and set it in motion by departing so His Spirit could be released.. which is the earnest deposit (guarantee) of the rest of our inheritance in Christ Jesus! (2 Cor 1:22).

When the Holy Ghost came, it “came as a ‘sound’ from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and filled ‘all’ the house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). There was a physical appearance of cloven tongues like as of fire, that sat upon each of them (Acts 2:3). And after that, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance – a second evidence of the baptism of the Spirit (Acts 2:4). What just happened?

The Holy Ghost showed up :-)! But let’s examine this carefully. They received a promise of the Holy Ghost, they tarried in God’s presence earnestly asking for it, to the point that they were by default, in one accord. When the Holy Ghost made an appearance, it was dramatic… noisy and unmistakable, with two evidence; physical tongues of fire, and the demonstration of the gift of tongues.

Fast forward to Acts 10:44-46. “And while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word”. To the astonishment of Peter and his circumcised colleagues, Cornelius the Centurion (a Roman soldier responsible for around 100 soldiers), and his kinsmen and neighbors received the baptism of the Holy Ghost as Peter testified of Jesus! God proved that he was no respecter of persons, by giving the Holy Ghost, and the gift of tongues to Gentiles who had not even been baptized, but believed. “On the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost”. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God”. It is important to note that this encounter was attributed to Cornelius prayers and alms (giving) that had ascended to God as a memorial (Acts 10:4).

The next example in the book of Acts of the baptism of the Holy Ghost is during the Apostle Paul’s third missionary journey. The Apostle Paul arrived at Ephesus and found believers who had never heard about the baptism of the Holy Ghost, although they had been water baptized unto repentance from John’s baptism. They were baptized again “in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:5-6).

From the above examples, we can mutually agree that the gift of tongues occurs ‘only’ after the baptism of the Holy Ghost. However, while the biblical examples of the baptism of the Holy Ghost is characterized by the gifts of tongues, this is not always the case. On the day of Pentecost, three things occurred; the baptism of the Holy Spirit (upon arrival of a mighty rushing wind), the baptism of Fire (appearance of cloven tongues of fire) and the gift of tongues (diverse tongues that also included various languages of the day). Three separate things. Let’s prove this!

I have come to the understanding that a baptism of fire is unmistakable. It is a feeling of literal fire (to be explored in detail in Part 2), and the Holy Spirit is the source. The baptism of Fire often occurs in tandem with the baptism of the Spirit, because it is the nature of the Holy Spirit. However, a believer can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and not experience the fire until a demand/desire is placed. The word ‘fire’ in the original Greek is ‘pur’ which is the primary word for literal fire/fiery/ lightning (Thayer’s New Testament Greek-English Lexicon). It is the same word used to describe the cloven tongues of fire in Acts 2:3. The same word in Acts 7:30 to illustrate the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush as he appeared to Moses. And the same word used to describe the fire that consumed the snake that bit the Apostle Paul in Acts 28:5.

In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul urged them to covet the gift of prophesy more than the gift of tongues, although he wished that they all spoke in tongues (1 Cor 14:5). This advice would not be necessary if tongues ’always’ accompanied the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This also supports that tongues is not a requirement for the gift of prophesy. In all three scenarios, Jesus gave them evidence of the encounter by  activating the gift of tongues.

In the Upper room, the gift of diverse tongues was necessary to communicate the new dispensation of grace and salvation by faith in Jesus Christ to the diverse groups from various countries, as well as to edify the believers for the work ahead. For Cornelius and the other Gentiles, it was necessary to prove that what they received was authentic and similar to the Upper room experience, to demonstrate that God was no respecter of persons. And for the disciples at Ephesus, it is recorded that they received something additional… they began to prophesy. Since the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prophesy (the testimony of Jesus Christ Rev 19:10), it is somewhat ambiguous whether this occurred because Paul laid hands on them, or because they began to host the source of the gift.

In conclusion, God equips with his Spirit, and with fire for the perfection of the Saints and the propagation of the Gospel to transform lives and ultimately win souls for the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The body of Christ needs the baptism of the Holy Ghost and with Fire, and the gifts of the Spirit to be effective. We shall receive ‘power‘ (dunamis – strength, ability, influence & power for the miraculous), ‘after’ the Holy Ghost is come upon us, so that we can be witnesses near and far; throughout the earth (Acts 1:8).

I had a phone conversation with someone recently and heard the fire of God in their voice. This was accompanied by a desire to win souls and see the miraculous break out! Very contagious!! I reflect on the state of the Church; the bride of Christ. Where are the end time revivalists? Where are those that would hunger and thirst after righteousness… so that they can be filled? I began to place a demand on God for His fire to increase in me, and in all those that read this literature. There is greater!

Lord Jesus, I avail myself… baptize me in your Fire!! Immerse me completely. Let the fire burn everything that is not like you, and then fill me to overflow so that I become a flame… that imparts the same… for your glory.