"Fire" Baptism (Gnostic Initiation)

[A. Ben-Shema]

Matthew 3:11 "I (John) baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with FIRE."

What is meant here by baptizing with 'FIRE'?
Could it mean that Jesus actually revealed, through His own personal gnostic baptism / initiation of His disciples, the visible manifestation of God - the Holy 'Fire'/'Light' of God, as described by Moses as an eternal "burning bush"?

Is it possible?

PLU :)

[Catalytic Subterfuge]

It is possible, however, I would account this to the actual "light" (knowledge) instead of "fire', (the burning kind). Many traditions, including those of the Masons, Rosicrucians, etc... refer to the fire or light as the knowledge. Interesting A. Ben. I have often been critical of the "bible" as it was written (at its earliest date) at least 100 years after the fact. I'm interested in these same questions though. Keep it up!

[A. Ben-Shema]

It is possible, however, I would account this to the actual "light" (knowledge) instead of "fire', (the burning kind).

Yes, the Spiritual (inner) LIGHT has only been described as, or likened to 'fire' simply because of it's appearance, and it's capacity to "burn up" all carnal desires of the flesh!

PLU :)

[m1thr0s]

much is made of the spirit-fire fusion in all kinds of places, so I don't think the intention is to separate the two but rather merge them...

As for the b-bush of Moses...that would at least seem to follow the same kinds of descriptions we find elsewhere depicting the spirit-fire fusion itself...

It doesn't take much to experiment with this particular elemental combination. The formula of Macroprosopus suffices it (AHIH) or it can be combined in various other ways as well...IAO is much the same with the technical addition of Air, though even this is a variant since Ayin (=O) can stand in as Father=Fire...

The thrust of many formula magicks is to make it possible to harness the fire-spirit current without damaging ourselves in so doing. I can't see where this particular metaphor is unusual enough to belabor it too narrowly though...it's a pretty common elemental-speak for the Most-High in general.

m1