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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

Comments:

on baptism with the holy spirit and with fire what does fire do, first of all lets think ,well it could melt steal, and turn it into somthing nice, and it purges gold to make nice things, i know for a fact that you are not reading the bible right whoever you are the reason i mention the fire is that GOD the holyspirit when he enters us he is going to help us clean our act up fire is a cymbol of the holyspirit like the cloven tonges of fire holyspirit again or how about when the three stood in the furnace with the lord we will go through trials but GOD comes in when we recieve the holyspirit and he begins to clean us purge us as fire is a representation of burning up the chaff when you boil water it kills germs so god is killing the germs in us with holy ghost fire please read your bible more you are very confused by the way you shouldnt throw your opinions in there when you write somthing so i had to in return remember also whatever that isnt building someone !
up isnt of GOD for everything you put down about the bible you will be held accountable for it in the last day GOD bless

My Response:

Hello ,

First of all, if there is a baptism of the Holy Spirit and a baptism of fire, then how many baptisms are men subject to today? My Bible says there is "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). This baptism is the baptism in the element of water which was preached in Acts 2 (v. 38), and was submitted to by the eunuch, as well as Paul, and all who would be Christians (Acts 8:35-39, 22:16; etc.). Yet, you suggest we must submit to Holy Ghost baptism and fire baptism. That makes 3 baptisms! Water (1) + Holy Spirit (1) + Fire (1) = 3 baptisms! Who is right? Is it you, who teaches at least 3 baptisms, or the apostle Paul who said there is but "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5)?

Concerning your descriptions of fire being used to burn out the impurities in metal, or to sterilize various things, it is true that fire is used in that sense; but your assumption that this is what "with fire" means in Matthew 3:11 is just that, an assumption and not the truth. The "fire baptism" which the Bible speaks of is not anything like what you describe. The "cloven tongues" of Acts 2:3 were "like as of fire." There was not fire sitting on the apostles' heads! Those words were used to describe what it looked like, but it was not actually fire, but "as" fire. But, even if it was literal cloven tongues of fire on their heads, it still would not be a "baptism" of fire (Matthew 3:11), for baptism means to immerse! As you know, just because something is on your head doesn't mean you are immersed in it.

In truth, "fire baptism" is something which will take place at the end of time when the wicked are cast into "the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8). Take note of the context of Matthew 3:10-12, and see that there is a contrast in these verses. It is a contrast between: good and bad trees, and wheat and chaff. The good trees are saved, but the bad trees are cut down and cast into the fire (v. 10). The wheat is harvested, but the chaff is burned up "with unquenchable fire" (v. 12). Therefore, since the verse preceding verse 11, and the verse after verse 11 spoke of a contrast between good and evil/bad, and the punishment of fire, or unquenchable fire for the evil/bad, why should verse 11 be any different?

In Matthew 3:11, John promises the Holy Spirit will come upon some, and fire coming upon others. Who received the promise of the Holy Spirit? The apostles (Acts 1:5-8, 2:1-4). Who is it that will receive the baptism of fire? Those who are wicked and die in their sins (Revelation 20:15, 21:8). This is what "fire baptism" is.

I hope this will help you in your continued study of the Bible. Have a good day.

Sincerely,

Jarrod Jacobs

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