Fire primarily is a representation in the Bible for judgment. It also is used to discuss the purification process of a believer. Not exactly something we are known for running towards. It should be a harrowing thing, not something we jump around asking for. In my research on this subject, I found the primary verses that seem to cause confusion for many are the key verses for today. The Luke verse being interpreted as Christians expecting a baptism of fire and the Acts verses as a manifestation of that on the Day of Pentecost. Let us reason together and examine what the Scripture actually says and are we applying it right or even understanding it at all.
The first Scripture is a statement from John the Baptist. He correctly states that his baptism is of water but another, the Christ is coming. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit AND fire. This verse does not say Jesus will baptize you with holy spirit fire but rather the Holy Spirit and fire. What appears to be a subtle difference is actually quite large. We need to examine the entire context. Who is John speaking to? According to the preceding verses he is clearly speaking to a mixture of believers and unbelievers, including some of the Pharisees. There is no question that the first part of this declaration, promising the baptism of the Holy Spirit is meant for believers. We have cross scriptural references for this including when Jesus instructs His followers to wait specifically for power from on high. Then who is the baptism of fire for? Let us return to the context and see the very next verse:
His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Luke 3: 17 (ESV)
It seems pretty clear that the reference to fire here is not meant for the believer as it deals with judgment. The wheat of believers are gathered into the barn but the unbelieving chaff is consumed by unquenchable fire. Many will then point to the second set of verses from the Day of Pentecost. It is true that Acts Chapter Two is the fulfillment of Luke 3:16 in that this is the deliverance of the promised Holy Spirit. This is when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is when the power of God was indwelt within them. Thus the Holy Spirit was able to lead Peter into all truth and give him a powerful boldness to preach the first sermon. But what about those tongues of fire? Doesn't that prove it was also a baptism of fire? Not exactly beloved. Here is that verse again:
And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
The key words here are "as of"; indicating that it was not actual fire. In fact, when Jesus referred to the declaration from John the Baptist in relation to the believers He said this:
And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." - Acts 1: 4-5 (ESV)
One could argue strictly from a logical standpoint that the word "fire" was omitted because there were no unbelievers being addressed here, as there was when John first uttered these words. At this point because so many have been raised on this potentially false notion the topic will switch to almost any Bible verse or story that involves fire. We must be careful when dividing the Word of God to not read into the Word what is simply not there while avoiding what is. We do not create whole doctrine out of intermittent words or phrases that are not supported by the entire canon of Scripture. That said, did Elijah call down fire from heaven? Absolutely but it was a one time event designed to expose the false prophets of Baal. I supposed if you had the relationship with God that Elijah had and you were trying to expose a band of false prophets you could try this but all you really need to do is open the Word of God to expose what is false. Wait a minute preacher, didn't the sons of thunder ask Jesus to call down fire from heaven? Yes they did but they asked within the context of destroying those who rejected the message of Christ and Jesus rebuked them for it. We could go on for a long time dissecting vague references to fire and trying to stretch them into doctrine that impels believers to request something called "holy fire" but it simply will not be doctrinal.
On the other hand we have plenty of clear Scriptures where God refers to fire as a method of judgment. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire. The seventh plague of Egypt included fire raining down on the Egyptians. Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire. The 250 men offering incense in Korah's rebellion were destroyed by fire. Then there are agreeing Scriptures regarding the future judgment of men by fire. These include; 2Thessalonians 1:8, Hebrews 10:27, 2Peter 3:7, 2Peter 3:12, Jude 1:7, and many more in the Book of Revelation. In addition to these there are references to being refined and purified by fire. These include Zechariah 13:9, 1Peter 1:7, Malachi 3:1-4, Isaiah 48:10, Job 23:10, Proverbs 17:3, Psalm 66:10-12, Mark 9: 49-50 and many others.
