This is not referring to the tongues of fire seen over the heads of those who believed when Peter preached in Acts 2. You can make an argument for a dual meaning. It is reasonable to think this is part of the meaning but the context of what is said here speaks of the coming judgment.
This fire is the fire of God’s wrath in the last day. Just read. It’s clearly stated. The earth is going to be burned up. Jesus will do it. Global warming won’t. Mankind won’t. Satan won’t. Jesus will. He is coming to judge the earth and all its inhabitants. Are you ready?
Jesus states in Matthew 10 and Luke 3 that we should not think He came to bring peace. The writers are giving accounts of the same discourse so it is clear that we can read all of these to get a complete message. He did not come to bring peace, He came to bring a sword. In Luke before this He says he came to bring fire to purge the earth and how He wishes it were already kindled.
In Matthew 3:11,12 John the Baptist reveals that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He clarifies in the next verse, 12, what this fire is. It isn’t the fire of Pentecost. It is the fire of His wrath when Hw returns to judge the earth.
2 Peter 3 tells us that the heavens and the earth will be burned with fire. Consumed. He will remake the earth. Later we see that He forms a new heavens and a new earth. But the earth is headed for a fire. Bank on it. Those who say the earth is not going to burn up are poor students. They have come to conclusions based on their wants and own understanding rather than on the word of God and His voice.
Jesus speaks of this as a baptism in such a way that He is referring to a crossing through point, an initiation, a predetermined path He is set to walk. He will trample the earth and burn it up.
The Psalms are replete with this witness. Psalm 50 speaks of the fire that devours before Him and it will be tempestuous round about Him…this is Last Day wrath of the Lamb. Psalm 97 speaks of fire burning up the earth in judgment. It’s everywhere.
Isaiah speaks the most about this fire. In 66:16 he says it outright, that His wrath in the last day upon the earth and mankind, will be a sword and fire…Jesus repeats Isaiah and clarifies.
Most of the prophets speak of this. Zephaniah says all the earth will be devoured with fire at His wrath. On it goes. So the fire that He is “baptizing” the world in is wrath and this is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Bless His holy name.