3rd June 2025

Isaiah described the Holy Spirit as ‘the Spirit of fire’ (Isaiah 4:4 margin) or ‘spirit of burning’ (ESVUK), which is a particularly significant symbol of the Holy Spirit representing the presence, power and purification of God.

Presence – Moses encountered God in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2); the Israelites were led out of Egypt by God in ‘a pillar of fire’ (Exodus 13:21), and God instructed the priests to keep the fire on the altar burning and not let it go out (Leviticus 6:9,12), indicating that God was always with them.

Power – On Mount Carmel Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a showdown (1 Kings 18). The event involved a burnt offering as part of the challenge. Elijah prayed to the Lord, who then sent fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, wood, stones, and even the water in a trench, demonstrating the power of the true God. This act was witnessed by the people, who then recognised the Lord as the true God. 

Purification – The prophets spoke of fire as a refining agent (Malachi 3:2-3, Zechariah 13:9). We are told that God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24), and that ‘as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust…’ (Isaiah 5:24). The Holy Spirit works within believers to transform thoughts, attitudes, and behaviours. This purifying work is likened to the refining of gold, where the fire removes the dross, leaving behind pure, precious metal.

As we come to the New Testament, we find John the Baptist saying that the one to come will baptise ‘with the Holy Spirit and fire’ (Luke 3:16), and Jesus saying, ‘I have come to bring fire on the earth’ (Luke 12:49). This found its fulfillment on the Day of Pentecost when what seemed like tongues of fire came upon the gathered believers and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The eternal presence of God now dwelt within them (John 14:15-20), and they were imbued with power from on high (Luke 24:49), which would purify and transform them into the glory and image of Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

It is significant that the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost was like tongues of fire. The Spirit enabled those first believers to speak in other tongues (Acts 2:4, margin ‘languages’) to share the good news about Jesus to people from all nations (vv.5-11). The fire of the Spirit should affect our tongues so that we use them to proclaim Christ and his words of reconciliation to the world around us (2 Corinthians 5:11-25). This can seem to be a daunting task, but scripture tells us that ‘The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire’ (Psalm 29:7 NRSVA), and it is his voice that the Spirit places on our tongues –we just need to open our mouths, and God will give us the words (Mark 13:10-11).

Local congregation:
Grace Communion West Hampstead 
Sidings Community Centre
150 Brassey Road
West Hampstead
London
NW6 2BA

Meeting time:
Sunday 12.30 pm

Local congregational contact:
Gordon Brown
gordon.brown@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:  
wordoflife@gracecom.church