As John the Baptist fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah and came as "A voice calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him,'" he told the people, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Matt. 3:3, 11).  All the gospels agree on this announcement (Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33). John preached that Jesus would baptize His people with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promised them before He ascended. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  John's baptism brought repentance; Jesus' baptism brought power.

Think about what happens when there is a fire.  It incites a series of occurrences--an immediate cry goes out, the alarm is sounded; next, fast action takes place, a rush to the rescue which usually involves an outpouring of water; as a result of this, there is a crowd attracted because of the curiosity that is generated by all the excitement; finally, there is a change in the atmosphere, first with heat and smoke, and then a lasting impression or change in the environment.

Now consider Acts Chapter 2: "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a rushing, mighty wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit  and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: 'Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language . . . declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!'" (1-11). After they were assembled, Peter preached a sermon with such conviction and authority that 3,000 were added to the church that very day!

Remember that the followers of Christ had been commanded to go to Jerusalem and wait.  They were in anticipation of the Comforter that Jesus had promised them. Then the fire came and the shout went out, the crowd of curiosity seekers gathered, the Spirit was poured out and all of them were changed forever--the fire had come--the power had come--the promise had come!

Look at Peter himself, always the awkward one with words, saying the wrong thing, putting his foot in his mouth.  Surely he was missing his best friend and his Lord as he waited in the room with the others. The fire came and the call went forth, and when the crowd gathered, Peter was suddenly a master of rhetoric!  His eloquent words poured out and drew 3,000 people into fellowship with the Living God, changed for eternity!

The fire of the Holy Spirit continues to burn. He seeks out those who desire Him, to incite them to action. "For we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks or free--and we were all given one Spirit to drink" (I Cor. 12:13); "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Cor. 2:4-5); and He urges us, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire" (I Thess. 5:19). We are heirs of unspeakable blessings, enlarged, enriched and empowered by the baptism of fire. Let it burn!

Lord Jesus, I honor You, and I ask that You would keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning strong in me. Help me not to quench the Spirit's fire. Use me to draw others so Your Name will be lifted up and glorified, and the "atmosphere" of this earth may be changed! Amen