Fire Baptism

Jesus Christ administered the baptism of fire in 70 A.D., when He burned up the city of Jerusalem and miserably destroyed those wicked Jews who had crucified Him.

1. John the Baptist specifically prophesied the baptism with fire (Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16).

2. This baptism with fire was to burn up every Jewish tree not bearing good fruit (Matt 3:10; Luke 3:9). It was not the gentle tongues of fire symbolizing the gift of tongues on the heads of the 120 at Pentecost.

3. This baptism with fire was to be with unquenchable fire for the destruction of the Jewish chaff (Matt 3:12; Luke 3:17). It was not the gentle tongues of fire symbolizing the gift of tongues on the heads of the 120 at Pentecost.

4. The baptism with the Holy Ghost, which John also prophesied, was to occur first. And it did occur on Pentecost, when Jesus Christ poured out His Holy Spirit in such abundance that the 120 were immersed in His glorious Presence (Acts 1:5; 2:1-4; 11:15-17). So we must look for a fiery judgment coming upon the Jews after the giving of the Holy Ghost.

5. Jesus prophesied He would miserably destroy that generation of Jews and burn up their city with fire (Matt 21:33-46; 22:1-7; 23:34-39; 24:1-34; Luke 19:41-44; 23:28-31).

6. Peter, prophesying on the very day of Pentecost, uses many words to persuade his audience to avoid the coming judgment on that generation (Acts 2:19-21,40). Peter did not think the symbolic tongues of fire on their heads fulfilled the prophecy at all.

7. Paul prophesied Jesus would soon utterly destroy the Jews (I Thess 2:14-16; Heb 2:1-4; 6:4-8; 10:25-31; 12:25-29).

8. James prophesied Jesus would soon utterly destroy the Jews (James 5:1-9).

9. Malachi had prophesied of this fiery day of judgment coming shortly after John the Baptist (Mal 4:1-6; 3:1-6).

10. Moses had prophesied of this baptism of destruction (Deut 28:45-68).

11. David had prophesied of this baptism of destruction (Psalm 2:1-12).

12. Daniel had prophesied of this baptism of destruction (Daniel 9:24-27).