Fire of the holy spirit

Although in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost it says:

"...there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit..." (Acts 2:3-4)...

...what some men refer to as the "baptism of fire" isn't what they think it is.

John the Baptist said it to a group of Pharisees who came to one of his baptisms one day, to scowl... and hopefully to find some fault with him... to, perhaps, initiate a spontaneous stoning of John.

"...when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?... I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, and WITH FIRE..." (Matt.3:7-11).

Truth be known - these are two distinct "baptisms" (burials)... not, the same thing Worded differently. We should want the FIRST baptism... not the second one.

The FIRE John speaks of is the LAKE OF FIRE... into which those who don't receive the Holy Spirit and redemption shall be cast.

John's baptism was the baptism "unto repentance." It was a person's personal decision to begin to obey the laws of God and turn away from sin. John was warning the Pharisees and Sadducees to "repent" of their ways:

"...I indeed baptize you with water UNTO REPENTANCE..." (verse 11)... John said.

But then, came the warning:

"...He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit (SAVE YOU), and with fire (or BURN YOU)"!!!

The proof is in the verses that follow:

"...the fire: WHOSE FAN IS IN HIS HAND, and He will THROUGHLY PURGE HIS FLOOR, and gather His wheat into the garner; but HE WILL BURN UP THE CHAFF WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE." (verses 11-12)

The "baptism of fire" that some professing Christian denominations preach about, shout about and scream about... IS NOT WHAT THEY THINK IT IS. It's not some kind of "better-than-average" baptism that surpasses a regular old everyday baptism. It's the punishment of the wicked who refuse God's Salvation.

"As therefore the tares are gathered and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of this world (age). The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM ALL THINGS THAT OFFEND, and THEM WHICH DO INIQUITY; and SHALL CAST THEM INTO A FURNACE OF FIRE..." (Matt.13:40-42).