Hi Lorelei,
I believe that Jesus in this age is baptizing the believers with the Holy Spirit. He also will be baptizing the lost with fire. But in this context, I believe the unrepented Jews are the ones who will be baptized with fire. The verses before and after goes with verse 11. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is throne into fire. In verse nine we read that John completely rejected Pharisaic Judaism and said that God would raise up stones to become His Children. This is the Gentiles. Judaism was in danger of being removed unless there was productive fruit in repentance, God would remove the tree. Then John goes on to say that he only baptizes with water - which was for the nation of Israel to be identified with repentance. But Jesus will even baptize (identify) with the Holy Spirit and baptize (identify) with fire. Fire here is judgment. Then John goes on to say that he will separate the wheat from the chaff, with
unquenchable fire. This is a unique fire. The baptism with fire referred to the judging and cleansing of those who would enter the kingdom as prophesied in Malachi.
Mal 3:2-4
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will
be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
NIV
The Messiah would prepare a remnant (wheat) for the kingdom by empowering and cleansing the people. But those who reject Jesus (Chaff) would be then judged and cast into eternal unquenchable fire.
Mal 4:1-2
"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them.
NIV
This is all different than what is spoken of in Acts.
Acts 2:2-3 “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven,
as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues,
as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”
NKJV
This if From Barn’s Notes:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Matt 3:11
[With fire] This expression has been variously understood. Some have supposed that John refers to the afflictions and persecutions with which men would be tried under the Gospel; others, that the word "fire" means judgment or wrath. According to this latter interpretation, the meaning is that he would baptize a portion of mankind-those who were willing to be his followers-with the Holy Spirit, but the rest of mankind-the wicked-with fire; that is, with judgment and wrath. Fire is a symbol of vengeance. See Isa 5:24; 61:2; 66:24. If this is the meaning, as seems to be probable, then John says that the ministry of
the Messiah would be far more powerful than his was. It would be more searching and
testing; and they who were not suited to abide the test would be cast into eternal fire. Others have supposed, however, that by fire, here, John intends to express the idea that the preaching of the Messiah would be refining, powerful, purifying, as fire is sometimes an emblem of purity, Mal 3:2. It is difficult to ascertain the precise meaning further than that his ministry would be very trying, purifying, searching. Multitudes would be converted; and those who were not true penitents would not be able to abide the trial, and would be driven away.
(from Barnes' Notes)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
With love,
Chet
[ September 07, 2001: Message edited by: Chet ]
