Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for clicking by as we conclude our brief two-part study about fire in the Bible.
Last week in Vol. 185, we discussed a sampling of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament fire-related verses. If you were busy living your life and did not feel the heat, the rest of us forgive you. Here is a very brief recap:
God created fire, although fire is not mentioned in the Genesis 1 creation chapter. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, fire established God’s presence and power. Fire is a complex force that God employed to punish, warn, and affirm events or behaviors. Furthermore, fire symbolizes God’s purifying judgment, as in the “refiners fire.” God told Isaiah: “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10).
I ended Vol. 185 with: “Stay tuned for next week when the New Testament is ablaze with the Holy Spirit.” And now, let’s light the flame.
First, we define and explain the Holy Spirit – which needs way more than two sentences – but here goes:
The Holy Spirit is a complex concept at the heart of Christ-centered faith traditions where God is manifested as three co-equals: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. This God-headed triad exists in perfect unity.
Last week, we discussed Hebrew Bible verses that showed how God used fire to shape and achieve His will. Note that “God used fire” and above, “fire established God’s presence and power,” but God was still God. He was NOT fire.
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In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is identified through fire, and the power of the Holy Spirit is the power of God in action.
With verses in order, Matthew’s gospel joins fire with the Holy Spirit when John the Baptist tells the crowd about the coming of Jesus:
“ ‘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 ’ ” (Matthew 3:11). Also, Luke 3:16 is virtually identical.
There are numerous Gospel verses where Jesus speaks about fire, warning sinners about eternal damnation or hell. Here are some examples:
“ ‘But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire’ ” (Matthew 5:22).
“ ‘This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth ’ ” (Matthew 13:49-50).
“ ‘Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’ ” (Matthew 25:41).
“ ‘If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out’ “ (Mark 9:43).
Obviously, Jesus does not mince words. Fortunately, He offers forgiveness of sin.
We turn now to the Book of Acts when the fiery Holy Spirit arrived after Jesus ascended to heaven:
“When the day of Pentecost came, they [the apostles] were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent 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” (Acts 2:1-4).
St. Paul wrote about fire as God’s judgment in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. He discussed work being done by believers but cautioned that their work will only last if it reflects the foundational teachings of Jesus and withstands the flames of God’s judgment.
In the book of Hebrews, the unknown author (St. Barnabas perhaps?) begins with verses about why the Son [Jesus] is superior to angels. Verse four reads:
“In speaking of the angels he [God] says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire” (Hebrews 1:7).
This Hebrews verse is similar to Psalm 104:4 – “He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.” Psalm 104 is a 35-verse Psalm that praises God with magnificent poetry. Also, Psalm 104-4 relates to Bible Study Vol. 180, where we discussed: “Even the winds and the sea obey Him.”
Another Hebrews fire-related passage is powerful and vivid:
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
Next, for anyone who has problems controlling what comes out of their mouth (I hear, “not you, Myra”), the book of James eloquently equates our tongues with fire:
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3: 5-6).
I love what Peter wrote about our faith in Christ refined by fire:
“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter: 1-7).
Because I’m running short on space, here are some violent, fiery verses from Revelation to read when you are in the mood: Revelation 20: 9-10 and Revelation 21:8.
The Bible does not mince words. Sinners who do not repent will suffer the flames of hell, but that is not a sermon you will hear today in most churches.
Summarizing: The Old and New Testament Bible reference fire in numerous and varied ways. The Holy Spirit was sent and appeared as fire. God’s judgment threatened (still threatens) humankind with the fires of hell. If you regularly study the Bible, “fire” deserves in-depth discussion.
I look forward to your comments and emails.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.
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