Everyone Will Be Baptized, Eventually ... But How? Matthew 3-4

Matthew 3:11-12 (ESV Strong's)
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Everyone Will Be Baptized, Eventually ... But How?

John the Baptist was sent to preach repentance prior to Christ.   He was the voice in the wilderness calling for repentance.  He would be likened to a street preacher today; somewhat curious, but not well accepted.   When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to meet him, he challenged their motives.   He actually “called them out” for even being curious about him and his message.  But the real strength of his “talk” with them in seen in the above passage.   He informs them (and all men) that Jesus is coming and he will, in the future, be baptizing with the “Holy Spirit and with fire”.  We understand the baptism of the Holy Spirit.   We know that those who come to Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit.  We have the Spirit of God to guide us, protect us, care for us, revel truth to us and much, much more.  Jesus speaks in depth about this in John 15.   To interpret this passage we have to remember that he is speaking to the religious leaders of the day who will, eventually, crucify Jesus.   He is telling them that Jesus will baptize with two types of baptism.  One is the Spirit of God and the other is “with fire.”   The best way to understand the “fire” baptism that John talks about is to understand that “fire” in God’s word speaks of God’s judgement and God’s wrath.   Although there are some interpretations that the “fire” John speaks about is the fire like baptism on the Day of Pentecost, it is probably more accurate to understand that John was talking to those he wanted to see repent.  He was telling them that Jesus was coming to do two types of work: One was the saving grace that was offered to all who would repent and turn to Christ.  They other was the judgment that Jesus would bring on all those who will not repent and turn to Him.   There is going to be a baptism for everyone, someday.  It is either the baptism of the Spirit that happens when anyone comes to Christ, or is it is a later baptism of fire when Jesus will judge all those who reject Him.   Everyone will be baptized.  It only is left to determine if someone will be baptized by fire in judgment or if they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. One promises destruction  and retribution for rejection of Christ.  The other promises peace and guidance for believing in Christ.    Everyone WILL BE baptized ... it only is left to determine which.