SIMON BRAKER FALSE PROPHET: BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE

Jak manifestować Bożą moc? | PS Simon Braker | NOF Church

(How to manifest God's power)

There are a number of warnings to take out of this disastrous teaching from NAR false teacher Simon Braker, who describes himself as a "prophetic apostolic minister".1  Braker is closely associated with false apostle Emma Stark and is part of the British Isles Council of Prophets.  

Braker promotes the idea that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct, subsequent experience rather than the believer’s reception of the Spirit on conversion. His proof text is Acts 19:2, which is a verse that NAR charismatics misrepresent.   

And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” (Acts 19:2). 

Acts 19:2 exposes a group whose grasp of the faith had never progressed beyond John the Baptist’s message. Paul’s question uncovers their deficiency: true New Covenant faith assumes the reception of the Holy Spirit at conversion. Their ignorance prompts Paul to proclaim the full gospel, leading to their baptism in Jesus’ name and the Spirit’s immediate, observable arrival. This episode underscores that salvation and the Spirit’s indwelling are an integral part of conversion, revealing God’s commitment to equip every genuine believer with His empowering presence. This group exactly corresponds to that of Apollos when he arrived at Ephesus, who knew only the baptism of John. (Acts 18:24-26).

Ephesians 1:13-14: In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 

Acts 2:38–39: And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Titus 3:4–7: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing (λουτροῦ) of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. (Acts 10:46-48).

In his bid to promote the alleged "baptism of fire", Braker isolates Matthew 4:11 and builds an entire doctrine around it, claiming a separate experience, supposedly reserved for believers who have sacrificed and endured difficult trials. I reject this teaching outright. His slogan, "no fire falls where there is no sacrifice", is simply another attempt to spiritualise trials into a false hierarchy of Christians.

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.” (Matthew 3:11-12).

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 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. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:15-17).

Reliable commentators refer to two possible interpretations for baptism with fire.  

One view is that the “fire” refers to the trials all genuine believers inevitably face. Chris Quintana of Old Path Theology argues persuasively that this fire represents the purifying work of the Holy Spirit, i.e. the "refining fire" described in passages such as Zechariah 13:9 and Malachi 3:2. Quintana develops this theme in his teaching on Matthew 3:4–12 – Matthew 3:4-12 The Fascinating Ministry Of John The Baptist. (54:00 mark)   

Caleb Corneloup iThink Biblically argues that the fire in Matthew 3:11 points to judgment of the wicked.– https://youtu.be/CvTcYNswSgw John the Baptist was addressing a mixed audience—those sincerely seeking repentance and baptism, and the Pharisees who came under his rebuke. (Matthew 3:5–7). Throughout Scripture, fire is a common metaphor for divine judgment, and the verse itself clearly separates “the Holy Spirit” from “fire”. Many commentators also point out that “baptism” is not limited to the baptism of the Spirit and can describe being immersed or overwhelmed, as in Mark 10:38, where it refers to Jesus’ impending suffering.

Overall, I find Quintana’s interpretation more convincing, though Corneloup’s perspective is shared by others and is worth weighing. 

The New Testament never presents “fire” as a separate, subsequent baptism. Whenever believers are genuinely converted, they receive the Holy Spirit —Acts 1:4–5; 2:4, 38–39; 10:44–46; and passages like John 7:39 and 14:16–17 all point consistently in that direction.  

Braker's misinterpretation of Jesus temptation in Mark 1:9-13

Braker: "It's important that you understand this. The devil didn't say to Jesus 'if you are the Son of God''''. That wasn't what he said. What the devil said to Jesus, 'since you are the Son of God'. That's what it literally means in the Greek.. The devil was tempting Jesus to live independently of the Father.. do you want the fire?" (59:00 mark) This strikes at the core of Braker’s misguided “fire” doctrine. The devil’s bold provocation was an attempt to tempt Jesus into proving his divine identity. Scripture teaches that resisting temptation deepens faith, builds endurance, and shapes maturity—not that it results in a "baptism of fire". (1 Peter 1:6–7; James 1:2–4; Romans 5:3–5).

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." The Spirit immediately drove (ἐκβάλλω) him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. (Mark 1:9-13)

ἐκβάλλω > From ek and ballo; to eject (literally or figuratively) -- bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out). The term suggests a forceful action, indicating that Jesus was compelled by the Spirit. This is a stronger term than "led" (ἀνήχθη) in Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1.

And the tempter came and said to him, “If (Εἰ) you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” (Matthew 4:3; Luke 4:9 ).

Εἰ > If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc 

1487 ei (a conditional conjunction) – if. 1487 /ei (followed by any verb) expresses "a condition, thought of as real, or to denote assumptions" (i.e. viewed as factual. for the sake of argument) (BAGD). Accordingly, 1487 (ei) should not be translated "since," but rather always "if" – since the assumption may only be portrayed as valid (true, factual).

Meyer: "εἰ] does not indicate that Satan had doubts of Jesus being the Son of God (Origen, Wolf, Bengel), or was not aware of it (Ignat. Phil. interpol. 9), comp. Matthew 28:20; but the problematical expression was to incite Jesus to enter upon the unreasonable demand, and to prove Himself the Son of God.3

Tongues of Fire

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of (ὡσεὶ) fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4).

The divided tongues appeared like fire, and they rested on, i.e. they did not indwell believers.

γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρός, tongues as or like fire.. ὡσεὶ (hōsei) > as if it were fire or like fire.... an adverb.. a  metaphor  e.g. Matthew 3:16 "like a dove" or "like sheep" Matthew 9:36 etc.

The day of Pentecost was a singular, unrepeatable moment—the birth of the church. Scripture presents it as a one‑time event, not something that recurs.

Divine Healing and first person prophecy

Braker: "The Lord said to me today that there is a gift He wants to give you.. We already know that some of the disciples didn't even know that there was a Holy Spirit, so there was something available to them that thy weren't living in the good of.. ..healing has already been provided.."

The early church experienced a tension: the scriptures affirm that God heals, yet believers still fall ill. Even some of Paul’s most trusted coworkers suffered illness, demonstrating that healing is not a badge of spiritual rank. The habit of blaming the sick—accusing them of hidden sin or insufficient faith when healing doesn’t occur—has wounded many sincere Christians.

The New Testament never endorses formulaic methods or a one‑size‑fits‑all theology. We are called to > Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. (Ephesians 6:18). We should never presume upon God or treat healing as an automatic entitlement.

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. (1 Timothy 5:23).

Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. (2 Timothy 4:20).

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (Philippians 2:25–30).

Phrases like "The Lord said to me” are employed by false prophets to play the frequently used “God told me” trump card, particularly in NAR‑leaning prophetic circles. Whenever we hear claims like this, scripture commands us to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1).

Braker often directs his audience to echo specific words or phrases, a tactic that functions as spiritual manipulation. This strategy is designed to bypass discernment and secure compliance. Believers should refuse to be drawn into any practice that trades independent thought for manufactured agreement.

Once again, I urge anyone in churches influenced by NAR teachings to exercise discernment regarding Simon Braker and other false teachers, and to remain diligent in testing the spirits.

1. Legacy Ministries International
2. Strong's Greek: 1487. εἰ (ei) -- if, whether, thoughzzz
3. Matthew 4:3 Commentaries: And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4. Greek Concordance: ὡσεὶ (hōsei) -- 21 Occurrences