baptism by fire
The phrase baptism by fire or baptism of fire, known in English since 1822, is a translation of the French phrase baptême du feu and is a reference to a soldier's first experience under fire in battle. It originates from the ecclesiastical Greek baptisma pyros, in which "fire" is used to mean "the grace of the Holy Spirit as imparted through baptism". Later it was used of martyrdom, especially by fire (e.g. Joan of Arc). Today, it has entered the common vernacular to describe anyone doing something "the hard way" for the first time, particularly if training is necessarily insufficient to fully prepare one for the experience (as is the case with battle).
Daily speech
Baptism by fire is now an expression used when someone does something "the hard way" for the very first time, e.g. a trainee pilot on his first solo-flight.
Fire is not only seen as the opposite of water, but also as damaging, whereas the connotation of a true Baptism is supposed to be a spiritual purification. There are many opposing metaphors that fire versus water represent: Healing - Damaging; Cool - Hot; Redemption - Hell; Plenty - Destruction
Mormon Religion
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (a.k.a. Mormon Religion) "Baptism by Fire" is in reference to when someone receives the Holy Ghost. This is done after one has already been Baptized by Immersion (a.k.a. by water, or just baptism).
Sources and references
(incomplete)
- EtymologyOnLine
- This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
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