SINCE 1828
baptism of fire
noun phrase
variants:
or chiefly US baptism by fire
Definition of baptism of fire
1
: an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal
especially
: a soldier's first exposure to enemy fire
2
: a spiritual baptism by a gift of the Holy Spirit
—often used in allusion to Acts 2:3–4; Matthew 3:11 (Revised Standard Version)
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