BAPTIZED WITH FIRE?  by steve finnell

John the Baptist said Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. There are some who believe that being baptized with fire is something Christians should desire.

Matthew 3:10 The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Being thrown into the fire is not a baptism I care to seek.

Matthew 3:11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Being burned up with an unquenchable fire is not the kind of baptism I desire.

The word fire used in verse 10 and 12 is used to express an  undesirable result. It seems obvious the word "fire" used in verse 11 is not meant as a blessing.

I THINK I WILL DECLINE THE BAPTISM WITH FIRE!