The Fire Of God

Fire is mentioned often in the Bible.

For our God is a consuming fire.
– Hebrews 12:29

John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
– Luke 3:16

We see the word appearing several hundred times in the Old Testament and around 70 times in the New Testament. But the references to fire in the Bible that are most memorable are the times there was an obvious fire that didn’t destroy what was burning.

There was the burning bush that Moses saw (Exodus 3:1-3). And a pillar of fire led the people of Israel in their flight from Egypt (Exodus 13:20-22). After the Tabernacle was built, that fire hovered over the Holy of Holies – always in view of over a million people in their huge tent city (Exodus 40:38).

In these situations the fire represented one thing, the presence of our Almighty God (represented by an angel in the burning bush).

God directed Moses, even though he resisted, to go to Pharoah and build a case for granting freedom to the mass of slaves who were building huge, impressive cities of brick for the king’s own fame and prestige. The plagues that followed finally convinced him.

The description of what happened after the Tabernacle was completed is amazing.

A cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night “covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because…the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up …, the people of Israel would set out. If the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out…” (Exodus 40:34-38)

Yet, even more amazing is what happened about 1,500 years later.

Jesus promised his disciples that they would soon “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon” them and that they will be His “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The disciples of Jesus, about 120 in all, were waiting in prayer and expectation when suddenly it happened! That pillar of fire which had hovered over the dwelling place of God in the Tabernacle now came. “Divided tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” (Acts 2:3)

Let that incredible symbolism sink in!

The pillar of fire that hovered over the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle now hovers over you and me! This leads to this astounding proclamation of the Apostles Paul, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?… For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Just let that sink in!

We are God’s temple! How well are we caring for this temple? How well are we representing Jesus?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!