Some Proof Text That I Used to Know
Matthew 3:11 — “Baptism in Fire”
I thought it would be fun to share some scriptures that I previously misunderstood. I’ve found that there are many.
Proof texts are scriptures used, often out of their context, to prove theological points.
As a Christian in the hyper-Charismatic space, a lot of my personal theological beliefs were built on proof texts. At the time I didn’t realize how out of context these scriptures were.
Today, I’m looking at Matthew 3:11
I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
“Baptism in fire”
It has been widely taught by hyper-Charismatic preachers that God is not only baptizing believers with the Holy Spirit, but also with fire.
This baptism in fire is apparently an experience in which the believer is imparted extreme zeal and holiness by God. Folks who claim to have had this fire experience often claim an increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, a zeal to pray & believe for miraculous happenings, and either a lack of desire for sin or actual sinlessness.
This experience is also often associated with painful manifestations, sensations of fire or electricity. The one receiving this supposed gift from the Lord may feel as if they will die as they go through this fiery baptism.
Todd White and Bill Johnson are notable teachers who have spoken about their fire baptism experiences, describing these very things.
Cue the proof text for some theological back-up!
The teaching about fire baptism is largely propped up by the testimonies of its proponents. However, Matthew 3:11 is generally scooped up to help lend some credibility to those not so easily convinced by testimonies.
In the text, John the Baptist is describing the Messiah who is to come. John proclaimed that he merely baptized in water, for repentance, but the One coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit & fire.
What happens when we read the proof text in its context?
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Matthew 3:7–12
It’s funny how reading a proof text in its context, simply broadening the borders of your reading, suddenly brings much more clarity to an idea.
Christ is described as having His winnowing fork in His hand to separate the wheat from the chaff- The chaff is burned & the wheat is preserved.
I don’t think it’s too far of a leap to say that the distinction is being made between the believing & unbelieving person’s final end, Jesus Himself being the Judge- Especially since this follows John’s rebuke and warning of coming judgment to the Pharisees and Sadducees!
The Scriptures speak for themselves. The baptism in fire which John the Baptist described is clearly not something to be desired, but the judgment of those who are equated with chaff- the useless part of the wheat plant which is separated and burned.
What does this mean to me?
I used to think I needed a special experience.
Now, I recognize that I don’t have a biblical reason to go seeking after a special experience in order to have increased zeal or holiness. My salvation is a complete package deal, and as a believer in Christ I am walking out a sanctification process in which I am refined day by day.
Honestly, it is a burden off of my shoulders.
Stay tuned for more Proof Texts That I Used to Know!
