hmm, i would say 'funny' but at this point that pov is completely understandable. At any rate, that is surely not what is meant in Scripture, and it seems most interpretations either conflate baptism with fire to the Holy Spirit, making the passage redundant, or more often,
"The phrase also occurs in
Luke 3:16 and it might be taken as a reference to the fiery trial of faith which endures suffering and purifies the faithful who look upon God's glory and are transformed, not consumed (
Mark 10:38,
James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 4:12)" and these are able to read the verses that bracket Matt 3:11 also, which do not use "fire" in relation to "baptism." We have plenty of other refs for "refining fire," as well."Baptism by fire" is a cliche, even.
but at any rate i have to agree that most people don't seem to want it lol. Gotta wonder if it is the same crowd that see their doom in
fulfills the law and the prophets, huh. Anyway, we can start a new thread if we need to, let us know RM.