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Matt. 3:1-12
(Note: The following notes were posted as an invitation and/or ten minute talk on my Web Page: http://www.public.usit.net/driggs)
I. Notice that the main theme of the text is a warning of judgment.
A. If they did not repent, there was coming a Great Judge who would baptize them with fire.
B. John also revealed the power of this Mighty One by stating that He would also baptize with the Holy Spirit..
1. Later, we have verses which tell us exactly how this was fulfilled. Acts 1:4-5
II. As I mentioned, the main theme is of this text is a warning of judgment from the Mighty One to those who would not repent.
A. This Mighty One would also baptize "with fire" (KJV) or "in fire (ASV).
1. The little preposition "en" in the original Greek is translated in many different ways in our English N.T. Scriptures: "in" 1874 times, "by" 141, "with" 134, "among" 117, "at" 112, "on" 46, "through" 37, miscellaneous uses 321; Total: 2782.
a. It is used with both the Holy Spirit and fire in Luke 3:16.
b. The "winnowing fan" was a flat shovel (tool) used to toss the wheat into the air so that the chaff would be blown away.
c. The emphasize here is on separation and the chaff being burned.
B. As we know, the word baptize means "immerse." Hence, this Mighty One would immerse those who would not repent in fire.
1. This is John's main theme as shown by the verse before (vs. 10) and the verse after (vs. 12).
a. The thoughts of verse 10 are used elsewhere for the punishment of evil doers. Matt. 7:19
b. Verse 12 uses the expression "unquenchable fire" which refers to eternal punishment.
2. Thus, we must conclude that the "baptism of fire" here is the eternal fire.
III. Remember, John is encouraging an evil people to repent.
A. His words are a strong warning to all those who keep in their stubborn course of sin.
B. Those who remain in the stubborn course of sin will be immersed in fire by the Mighty Judge.
1. He tells them not only to repent, but to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance ("Or answerable to amendment of life" Footnote KJV).
C. People sometime ask, "Will it be a literal fire?" "How can it be "fire" and also "outer darkness?" My answer is, "I don't know."
1. However, remember that both John's and the Lord's description of the eternal punishment is "fire."
2. Thus, whatever the punishment is, it was best depicted by holy men of God as an immersion in unquenchable fire.
D. Thus, we should seek to avoid hell at all cost.
If you are subject, will you not repent? There's a Great Judge coming who will immerse in fire all those who do not bear fruits worthy of repentance. Hence, "...Repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance." Acts 26:19-20
- - David J. Riggs
