Baptism by fire
Encyclopedia
The phrase baptism by fire or baptism of fire, known in English
since 1822, is a translation of the French
phrase baptême du feu and is a reference to a soldier's first experience under fire in battle.
It originates from Matthew 3:11
. Of this expression, J. H. Thayer commented: "to overwhelm with fire (those who do not repent), i.e., to subject them to the terrible penalties of hell" (1958, 94). W. E. Vine noted regarding the "fire" of this passage: "of the fire of Divine judgment upon the rejectors of Christ, Matt. 3:11 (where a distinction is to be made between the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the fire of Divine retribution)" (1991, 308). Arndt and Gingrich speak of the "fire of divine Judgment Mt. 3:11; Lk. 3:16" (1967, 737). Finally, as J. W. McGarvey
observed, the phrase "baptize you ... in fire" cannot refer to Pentecost, because there was no "baptism of fire" on that day. Parted "tongues," which were merely "like as of fire ... sat upon" each of the apostles. Those brothers were not "overwhelmed with fire" on that occasion (1875, 38). (As quoted on http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/235-what-is-the-baptism-of-fire.)
Later it was used of martyrdom, especially by fire (e.g. Joan of Arc
). Today, it has entered the common vernacular to describe anyone doing something "the hard way" for the first time, particularly if training is necessarily insufficient to fully prepare one for the experience (as is the case with battle).
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
since 1822, is a translation of the French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
phrase baptême du feu and is a reference to a soldier's first experience under fire in battle.
It originates from Matthew 3:11
Matthew 3:11
Matthew 3:11 is the tenth verse of the third chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. The verse occurs in the section relating the preachings of John the Baptist. In this verse he predicts that he will be followed by someone much greater than himself...
. Of this expression, J. H. Thayer commented: "to overwhelm with fire (those who do not repent), i.e., to subject them to the terrible penalties of hell" (1958, 94). W. E. Vine noted regarding the "fire" of this passage: "of the fire of Divine judgment upon the rejectors of Christ, Matt. 3:11 (where a distinction is to be made between the baptism of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the fire of Divine retribution)" (1991, 308). Arndt and Gingrich speak of the "fire of divine Judgment Mt. 3:11; Lk. 3:16" (1967, 737). Finally, as J. W. McGarvey
John William McGarvey
John William McGarvey was a minister, author, and religious educator in the American Restoration Movement. He was particularly associated with the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky where he taught for 46 years, serving as president from 1895-1911...
observed, the phrase "baptize you ... in fire" cannot refer to Pentecost, because there was no "baptism of fire" on that day. Parted "tongues," which were merely "like as of fire ... sat upon" each of the apostles. Those brothers were not "overwhelmed with fire" on that occasion (1875, 38). (As quoted on http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/235-what-is-the-baptism-of-fire.)
Later it was used of martyrdom, especially by fire (e.g. Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
). Today, it has entered the common vernacular to describe anyone doing something "the hard way" for the first time, particularly if training is necessarily insufficient to fully prepare one for the experience (as is the case with battle).
Sources and references
(incomplete)- Arndt, William and F. W. Gingrich. 1967. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago.
- McGarvey, J. W. 1875. Commentary on Matthew and Mark. Des Moines, IA: Eugene Smith.
- Thayer, J. H. 1958. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh, Scotland: T. & T. Clark.
- Vine, W. E. 1991. Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Iowa Falls, IA: World.
External links
- EtymologyOnLine
- http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%203:16;&version=31;