The Holy Spirit and Fire

The Holy Spirit and Fire

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4 NKJV)

The concept of fire as in relation to power and purification is one that has been at the core of survival in the roles of humanity from the very beginning. Fire is seen in terms of its destructive values as well. But, God, throughout the scriptures, has given the use of fire as light. He led the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day. This pillar was for all to see and there was probably no mistake to the fact that God was the one leading them. The beauty found in fire is that it is not just one solid color. It is many colors combined at various combinations of heat given to one purpose. The destruction of old to make things new. The burning bush that Moses witnessed and where he spoke with God was an example of a purifying fire. You may ask, why do you say that the burning bush was one of purification? Moses was hard pressed to believe entirely but when He stood before the burning bush that was not consumed, it began to purify him as God spoke. First it was God’s presence and voice coming from the bush that caused him to fall to face in total humility. Second, the fire was purifying him because it was a non-consuming flame. The roaring fire that does not consume you only refines you. As a fire burns in the forest, the result is new and thicker growth.

When we are purified with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are refined. As gold is sent into the fire, it is heated to the point of liquid and the impurities are separated. A more purified and valuable form of gold comes this process. Also, the process of making steel is by taking iron ore mined from the ground. Second, it is then smelted in blast furnaces where the impurities are removed and carbon is added. As the Holy Spirit turns up the heat and begins to take us through the process of purification, it may not be pleasant and even something we go out of our way to achieve. It is a necessary process to accomplish holiness and grow in sanctification before a holy God. Remember that you were once wretched sinners only saved by His grace and mercy. Why do we think that is all that should be done?

If you want to have spiritual power in your life, then you must allow the Holy Spirit to burn the old away and refine you into the person that God created you to be. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on those in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, the fire was not only over their heads as flames of fire. The Spirit was burning within their spirits. Burning away the old and doubting person and they would walk out of that room a new creation. Refined in the fire of God by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Can this type of experience happen today or was it only a one-time experience at that first out pouring to fulfill the prophesy of Joel? I believe it can and does happen even today! The same Holy Spirit present in that room is the same Holy Spirit working today. Many believe that the Holy Spirit is only given as one is baptized in the Holy Spirit later. When we gave our life to the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, there must be a measure of the Spirit of God in us to be able to grow. We cannot do this in our own power. So, when we humble our hearts and repent before God, He sends the Holy Spirit to assist in our growth, to comfort us, and to strengthen us in our weakness. Do you think that those in the upper room on that day were holy people? They may have walked and talked with Jesus, but they had their doubts and concerns. Their lives were not changed until the fire of the Holy Spirit came upon them and purified their hearts and souls. The following are some examples in the scriptures fire used by Spirit of God to ignite His people for service;

Spiritual Power – The Spirit ignites and warms like a fire for service –

Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts: “Because you speak this word,
Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire,
And this people wood,
And it shall devour them. (Jeremiah 5:14 NKJV)

Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.”
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not. (Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV)

 

The fire in scripture is a representation of the divine presence, power, protection, purification and revelation. In the understandings of those who have a divine connection with God, fire plays a key role in God displaying His power to His people. The following are examples of these occurrences found in the lives of people of God in scripture.

 

Moses – God speaking with Moses through a burning bush on fire but not consumed (Exodus 3) – Presence, Revelation

Moses and Israelites – God leading His people out of Egypt by a pillar of smoke by day and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13) – Protection

Elijah – God sends down fire and consumes the altar and offering of Elijah, even the water around altar. (1 Kings 18) Power

Elijah – Elijah taken up to heaven in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire. (2 Kings 2:11) Power, Revelation

Isaiah – Isaiah is purified by the touch of a glowing coal from the altar of God to his lips as he was commissioned for service. (Isaiah 6) Presence, Revelation, Power, Purification

 

Truly, this is not an exhaustive list, but you get the picture. God made a special place for those who rebelled and were cast out of heaven. Hell is a place of eternal fire and complete separation from the presence of God. He did not create hell for humanity. He created it for Lucifer and those rebellious angels who fell with him. God is not sending us to hell if we do wrong. We are the ones who condemn ourselves. Jesus said that in John chapter three verse sixteen that God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish. The translation we say as “perish” should be better understood as “destroy ourselves.” It is not God who is intent on sending us to hell, it is through our own actions. Fire and brimstone was sent down from heaven to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their unrepentant sin.

“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.” (Matthew 3:11 NKJV)

John the Baptist knew the difference between his calling and that of the Messiah. The Jewish people were searching throughout their existence for the one who will deliver them as the Son of God or the Messiah. John was making the point that the objective difference beyond him was that because this one is the Son of God. He will be empowered with the Spirit of God and a purifying fire will be a part of the cleansing power in His ministry. John was humbled by the thought of this person even in his presence. He gave his disciples the visual of power and might that is not to be compared. Once they saw and met Jesus, they understood of what John had spoken.

The Holy Spirit, in the lives of the Body of Christ, is the life blood of its existence. The person who loves God in Jesus Christ cannot grow and be molded apart from the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I believe that the Holy Spirit is powerful and at work even today. I also believe that the church is suppressing the Spirit and has for years. This is because if the Spirit of God could live and work within the churches, then the people would have to relinquish control. This is what must be done for the church to be transformed into the Bride of Christ that the Bridegroom is coming to receive without blemish. The church must be purified before we can consider the possibility of eternal life. Allow the Holy Spirit and the fire of God to purify and cleanse you and your church of all unrighteousness so the church can be made holy before a Holy God. Remember, you not fully holy when you are converted. It is only the beginning. Allow the holy fire of God purify you and your church for the light of God in Jesus Christ to shine of light to who testify to its glory. To God Be the Glory! God Bless you all!! Amen!