The Evidence Of Fire
In the story of the great showdown between Elijah, the prophet, and the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, the challenge was that whichever god answered by fire would be the true God. You might remember Elijah’s famous words when he spoke to the children of Israel on that day: “How long will you halter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him, but if Baal, follow him.”
The prophets of Baal prepared a sacrifice, as did Elijah. We know the rest of the story. After many hours, nothing happened to the sacrifice of the prophets of Baal. Elijah took water and drenched the sacrifice and altar he had built, and the Lord consumed all of it with great fire so that even the altar was consumed.
Any story to do with Elijah would have been well known among the Israelites of Jesus’s time.
When it came to establishing a New Covenant, Jesus did not hold back anything. The proof that Jesus was God would be evidenced by the fire of the Holy Spirit on the day of pentecost.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Amazingly, on that day, Peter stood and, much like the prophet Elijah, called Israel to their true God and the New Covenant He had established.
In explaining what everyone was witnessing from those who were in that upper room and now baptized in the Holy Spirit, Peter said the following,
Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
In essence, Peter is testifying that Jesus Christ had just outpoured the Holy Spirit with fire! John the Baptist testified that the One coming after him would be the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. It was a sign of fire like that of Elijah’s time.
This would be one of many indications verifying that Jesus was the true Christ, and it would testify that Jesus is the one true God! That fire at that moment led to this exchange.
Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Evidence of fire is still important. If the church really wishes to see a harvest, it would be wise to embrace the Holy Spirit’s work and power and rely less on the eloquence of words.
