Baptism of Fire

It has been very common in the charismatic circles nowadays to preach on baptism of fire and then inviting people to the altar to be prayed for. "You got to be baptised in fire! You will see an increase. There will be tremendous breakthrough after today! Fire! Fire! Fire!"

Baptism of fire is taught to be separated from the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is believed that a believer needs three baptisms. Water baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit and baptism of fire.

They often quote from this verse in Matthew 3:11 - "I indeed baptize you with water unto 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." (emphasis added)

Well, a text without the context becomes the pretext for a proof text.

Look at the preceding and following verses and you get the answer.

Matthew 3:7-12 - But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and THROWN INTO THE FIRE. I indeed baptize you with water unto 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. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and GATHER HIS WHEAT INTO THE BARN; BUT He will BURN UP THE CHAFF with unquenchable FIRE.” (emphasis added)

The context was John the Baptist preaching baptism of repentance. Unfortunately, the Pharisees and the Sadduccees didn't want to repent. John said, "Anyone who doesn't bear good fruit will be thrown into the fire." A good tree bears good fruit. A bad tree bears bad fruit. It has to do with believing. If you believe in the wrong source (not in Christ), you will bear bad fruit. John was referring to the Pharisees who refused to repent.

He said, "I baptise with water into repentance, but Jesus is coming to baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire." He further explained what the fire meant. Jesus would gather His people (wheat) into the barn but burn up unrepentant ones (the chaff) with FIRE.

The Amplified Bible says in Matthew 3:11, "He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment)."

This is why in Acts 1:4-5, Dr Luke recorded Jesus telling His disciples, "You have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Apparently, Jesus didn't say, "You, My disciples shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit and FIRE." Because baptism of fire is reserved for the unrepentant ones. Read the whole book of Acts and epistles and you can't find any believer being baptised in fire.

The charismatics are correct. There are three baptisms: Water Baptism, Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Baptism of Fire. But I would prefer not to be baptised in fire. Because it's the fire of judgment for the unrepentant.

If you want baptism of fire, go ahead. I am satisfied with water and the Holy Spirit.

Let's stay to the Bible and stop coming out with extra-biblical stuff.

Additional Update:
His wheat = His people
The chaff = Not His people, since the Holy Spirit wrote it as 'The' instead of His.

Xperiential Outreach @ Chinatown

Many elderly were healed and blessed tonight. Quite a number had their uneven spines straightened. One had his vision partially restored.

We asked one lady if she has a relative called Xiao Yan and in her 20s, she said, "Yes. She is 26." We asked, "Is she doing building related stuff?" She said, "She is studying in building management and design." We said, "She has injury on her left ankle. Can you check with her through phone?" She immediately answered, "Yes. You are right. I know she has injury at that area." We released healing in proxy and asked her to check with her relative when she reached home. She was completely shocked at what happened and how we knew. She was personally healed of abdomen pain, numbness and pain on fingers. Jesus!

One guy was unable to lift up his right hand for a long time. He went for treatment but to no avail. He showed us many times how he could only lift less than half of his shoulder height. After a few people ministered to him, he could lift up completely. He said he would visit Hokkien service (testified by Joycelyn). Jesus!

Stay tuned for next outreach in pubs. #lifestylechristianity101 #collectingpayment

P.S: A number of church members joined us for the first time and they immediately walked in healing without whatever impartation or prayer. Love to see people walking in their identity - Christ IN them is the Hope of glory. Stop looking everywhere and start looking within. The kingdom of God is within you.

Give Me A Double Portion Of Your Anointing?

Ever heard of people at the altar praying, "I'm going to pray for a double portion of anointing upon you!"

And after that, there is usually no increment in anointing. Because if there is truly a double portion, then the fruit should be doubled!

I sure love it man... Imagine praying for a double portion of anointing over and over and over and over and over again... your fruit will multiply exponentially in the shortest period of time. There is no need to yield to the Holy Spirit or live a surrendered life. It's a quick-fix. It's a shortcut.

Where did people get this terminology from?

2 Kings 2:9 - Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”

This is in response to what Elijah (the mentor) asked, "What may I do for you?" Because he was going to be taken up to heaven.

What does "double portion" really mean in those days? We need to let the Law of First Mention interpret the Scriptures for us.

Deut 21:17 - But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the FIRSTBORN by giving him a double portion of all that he has... (emphasis added)

1) To give a double portion is to acknowledge the person as the firstborn

2) Double portion does not mean 200% of the inheritance. If you have five sons, it means that the firstborn gets double share of what each of the other four sons have

Hence, what could Elisha be really asking for?

The Old Covenant is New Covenant concealed. The New Covenant is Old Covenant revealed.

Elijah pointed to John the Baptist (Matt 11:13-14). It is interesting that the incident of "double portion" between Elijah and Elisha happened at Jordan River.

Elisha pointed to Jesus. John baptised Jesus at Jordan. When Jesus came up from water, heaven was rent open and the Spirit descended upon Him ---- Jesus was the FIRSTBORN Son (Rom 8:29).

Thus, when Elisha asked Elijah for a double portion of his spirit, he was asking to be the FIRSTBORN. He wanted to be the successor of Elijah among many other prophets.

Today, we are the "successors" of Christ. He gave us His anointing, the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27). You don't have to ask for a double portion, because He already gave FREELY when He died on the Cross.

It's an insult to His grace and finished works to ask for a double portion of His anointing. It is saying, "Your finished works is not finished enough. There should be more. Maybe You should die twice so that I can have twice as much."

As believers, what we truly need is to yield and surrender to Him more and more so that the fullness of His anointing can manifest more and more in our lives.

Stop asking for more. Start becoming more. #identity