Topic(s):   Baptism, Denominationalism

Todd Clippard

In the passage under consideration, John is referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit that took in Acts 2 and Acts 10. Jesus did indeed send the Holy Spirit just as He had promised (Acts 1:4-5, cf John 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:7).

The baptism of fire is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 as some believe. This comes from a failure to read what Acts 2 really says. It doesn't say the apostles had fire on them, it says tongues like as a fire (v 3).

The baptism of fire has reference to the end of time when Jesus shall in flaming fire take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).