There are two possible interpretations of the baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire:
Matthew 3:11’s
fire
refers to judgment (see Matthew 3:10, Matthew 3:12), prophesying the casting of the godless into the fire of judgment (Isaiah 66:24, Malachi 3:3–4). Baptism with the Spirit is the alternative for all who seek Christ, especially at Pentecost (Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3; Joel 3:1; Acts 2:1–4, Acts 2:16–21). When the Spirit comes in glory (Malachi 4:1), the fire is the punishment for rejecting him.The Spirit points to Pentecost, while the fire points to the day of judgment, which will yet bring redemption for those who are in the Spirit: the gospel’s double-edged sword (Matthew 3:12).
Interpretation 1:
The fire
in Matthew 3:11 does not refer to a cleansing fire, but rather to the fire of judgment (see Matthew 3:10, Matthew 3:12). John here proclaims the age-old message that God and his Messiah will cast the godless into the fire of judgment (Isaiah 66:24, Malachi 3:3–4). The baptism with the Spirit
constitutes the great promise of this time of redemption: that the Spirit of the Lord will be poured out (Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 44:3, Joel 3:1, Acts 2:1–4, Acts 2:16–21).1 The Spirit comes in all his glory (see also Malachi 4:1), and the fire is the punishment for the refusal to allow oneself to be baptized and for hardening one’s heart against the Spirit of God.2 John the Baptist thereby introduces the Messiah as the complete representative of God: he inaugurates a time of redemption during which he not only accomplishes salvation for his people, but also condemns the godless to eternal judgment.3
Interpretation 2:
Being baptized in the Spirit and being baptized with fire does not signify the exact same thing here, since the former entails receiving the Holy Spirit while the latter points to a process of purification with fire. It is nonetheless no legitimate objection that the Spirit is a person, while fire is a mere means. It must merely be understood that Spirit points to Pentecost and fire to the final judgment, upon which Jesus will acquit his people. Matthew 3:12 also speaks of this double-edged sword of the Gospel.4
11 Moi, je vous baptise d'eau, pour vous amener à la repentance; mais celui qui vient après moi est plus puissant que moi, et je ne suis pas digne de porter ses souliers. Lui, il vous baptisera du Saint-Esprit et de feu.