The Baptism Of Fire

Angel Dahilig

The Baptism of Fire

These Three Remain: Faith, Hope, and Love

There was a turning point in my life with Christ, where I was quite literally thrown on my face before the Lord and put into the fire. In this tribulation, I went through many "points of decisions" in my heart. I struggled with what is common to all of us, but in the fire, it is all compressed and made more intense. How we choose to react in the fire, and under the pressure, determines whether we will be transformed by it through walking in it and persevering and clinging to Him, or we can be destroyed and fall away. The transformation process that occurs in the fire, is akin to the metamorphic process that rocks undergo when compressed under tons of pressure from the layers of rock and earth, combined with the intense heat generated by underlying molten lava. As it cools it forms crystals. We call these changed crystallized rocks, "Metamorphical Rocks". Metamorphic means "changed".

During this intense time, I chose each moment to cling to my Hope in Christ, in His Mercy. Through the struggle between flesh and spirit, my flesh wanted to protect itself. My flesh was tempted to become rebellious and say "What good is being good when you are betrayed or falsely accused?" But my spirit was in a struggle, to hope in Christ's salvation.

Through Hope, I could trust Him.

Through Trust, I grew in Faith.

Through Faith, I learned to grow in Love.

During this lowest point in my life, I visited a pentecostal church. I grew up in a pentecostal church, so it's familiar to me. The church had a visionary pastor full of enthusiasm and energy. It is a church that has been building and growing, and has many ministries. It believes in the gifts and operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The worship and service was one of those clapping, joyful worship services... lots of talk about the "joy of the Lord". There was lots of pep talk of how they were building God's kingdom and about the pastor's vision for building the church. There was even a healing altar call. But in this low point in my life, I left that church feeling that there was no spiritual food to feed my soul... nor the poor, oppressed, and hungry. There was no spiritual power in those words to feed or heal a hurting heart. No wonder the homeless, oppressed and hungry don't feel comfortable in many churches today. I left there asking God to teach me His simple truths in such a way that they would be ingrained in my heart and spirit, so that I could feed the poor, oppressed, and spiritually hungry someday. I had already seen that His truths were simple, as He and His Word (scriptures) were my only life, and hope, and teacher, while I was in the valley of despair. It was in the valley of darkness that He had become my living bread and living water. (Rev 7:14-17; Isaiah 49:9-13)

Rev 7

14. And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

17. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Isaiah 49

9. That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

10. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

11. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.

12. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.

13. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

We wonder why the lost don't come to Christ much in the churches? Because although many churches claim to have the power of God, they are powerless. I'm not talking about "power" to heal the body, nor power to cast out demons. Haven't we been taught by the apostle Paul that these gifts without love are dead and are nothing. We must seek God's heart, not just after manifestations of power, but after the power of God to Salvation! His power came to raise the dead. His power came to set the captives free. His power came to heal the sick! You want to see all these things done? Then start in the heart. You want to have power that gives life? Then examine your heart. The truths of Christ are so simple. And after 2000-3000 years we should understand them, but sadly I don't see that the "church" overall does.

Everything shall pass away, including prophecies, tongues, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we so covet. But there are only 3 things that shall remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, in and through Christ. (1 Cor. 13:13) If you are not building your spiritual house based on a Faith in Christ that endures, the Hope of Salvation, and His perfect Love, then you are building with sticks and stubble and your house shall be destroyed by fire.

Am I speaking against gifts of the Holy Spirit? By no means, as I also operate in the gifts. What I see however is our lack of understanding of what are the foundations of the Faith of Christ that we so freely say we know.

Have you seen "spiritually gifted" people devouring each other with their words and arguments? Have you heard "prophets" judge and condemn "sinners" in the house of God forgetting their own filthy rags are covered by Grace, not works? Have you heard people say "I won't pray anymore for so-and-so because God's judgment hangs over them?" Have you heard people refuse to pray for our nation because they think God's judgment is at the door? I have heard and seen all of these things. I tell you these believers who do these things are deceived and do know not what spirit they are of! (Luke 9:54-56)

If you value being right, over the soul and life of your fellow believer or enemy, then you are deceived. (Isaiah 13:18; Luke 6:27-36) If you value getting credit or being recognized for your spiritual gifts, more than you care about letting God's Holy Spirit work in others so that they can grow in their gifts, then you are spiritually puffed up and deceived. Remember, a little leaven puffs up the entire batch of dough. A little leaven in our heart defiles our heart and makes us wrong.

If you think that God's judgment is reserved for "them" and not for you too, then you are deceived. Judgment will begin at "the house of God"! (1 Peter 4:17)

There is a baptism of water, and a baptism of fire.

Many Christians think that the "baptism of water" is a physical baptism and that means their faith is affirmed in Salvation. They have stopped short of the meat and have settled for milk. (Hebrews 5:8 - 6:2) The "water immersion baptism" is a symbol of the true "baptism of water" that is the immersion in God's Word; That is CHRIST. God's word cleanses us, and Christ, who is the "Living Word", is also the "Living Water". He, The Word of God, cleanses us and baptises us. Let us renew our minds through the washing of water by His Word and scriptures. (Ephesians 5:26) Through Him we are made clean and we die to sin. (Romans 6:1-4)

All Christians must be purified by the baptism of water, and also through the baptism of fire.

Some think that the baptism of fire is the gift of tongues. They are mistaken, this is an evidence of a gift of the Spirit, but it is not "The baptism of fire". Christ himself spoke about having a baptism to undergo and he was distressed until he accomplished it. What was that "baptism"? It is the baptism of fire. (Luke 12:49-50) It is the baptism of suffering, of persecution, of affliction. (Mark 10:38-39; John 15:20; Acts 14:22) Through this baptism we are "made perfect" and "purified". Anyone who wants to live a righteous life will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:12) We are promised to share in His glory, IF we have shared in His sufferings. (Romans 8:17) The Israelites of old went through a baptism in the Red Sea, and we go through a spiritual baptism by God's Word and through the enduring and persevering in faith through troubles and persecutions.

Do not rejoice in your flesh, when you see someone in tribulation or persecution or afflictions, thinking in your heart that they are being judged or that they "deserved" it. For you are deceived and do not have understanding. (Job 31:28-30) You should rejoice when you are in tribulation and persecutions and afflictions. (James 1:2-4) For you are sharing in His sufferings and undergoing a baptism of fire. (Mark 10:38-39; John 15:20) You will also share in His glory, if you stand firm and endure. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Many shall be purified, made white, and tested. (Daniel 12:10)

When your brother or sister is suffering, make every effort to build them up in the faith. Do not tear them down. "A foolish woman tears down her own house with her own hands." (Proverbs 14:1) Do not tear down God's house with your own words. You will be judged for this. But understand what the will of God is, and build up, and not tear down, bless and not curse. (Luke 6:28) For judgment belongs to God only. (James 4:11-12; Romans 14:4)

Each of us will give an account before God for our heart. If we have not purified our hearts we will be defiled and unholy before a Holy God, and will be rejected. (Matthew 5:8, Deut. 23:14)

As Samuel said, "I will not sin by not praying for you, O Israel." (1 Samuel 12:23)

There are only 3 things that shall remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, and the Greatest of these is Love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Let me show you the Most Excellent Way... the way of Love. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

1 Corinthians 12:12b - 13:13

12:12b... And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10 But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

John 15:12-14

12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends if you do what I have command.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.

17 This is my command: Love each other.

John 13:34-35 (KJ)

34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Love, grace, and peace in abundance, to my brethren,

in Christ Jesus who is our Salvation and Light.

Angel Dahilig.

Dec. 2004

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