Filled: Learning to Walk in the Spirit

As a youth, attending summer camp one summer, I remember sitting on the porch of the camp directors cabin (which happened to be my father) and our speaker Ken Rudolph sitting with us telling a story.

He was staying in a hotel one time and had finished off a bag of potato chips before going to sleep.

In the middle of the night, he woke up to the sounds of crinkling and cracking. Getting up to investigate, he discovered a mouse helping himself to the crumbs left in the bag of potato chips.

Well, he did what every person would do when they discover such a thing…he tried to capture or kill the mouse.

He stomped around, swatting at the thing, trying to take it out with whatever implements he had handy at the time.

But he failed. The mouse darted out and managed to squeeze under the hotel room door and was gone.

Admitting defeat but not caring terribly because at least the mouse was gone, he went back to bed.

However, it was not the end of the story.

Sometime later in the night, from the floor above, he heard a scream and series of bangings and clatterings, which he could only assume was the mouse invading the room above him, and the occupants of that room doing much the same of what he had done in attempt to end the poor critters life.

After a few moments, he heard shouts of victory and concluded that they must have succeeded in their task.

As he talked, the Spirit gave me a vivid illustration…

We are all in search of something to satisfy our hearts. We rummage around, often in trash, in attempt to satisfy that desire. When we fail, or are chased out, we escalate our efforts to the next level, and keep trying.

Unfortunately, for some, for many, it ends in death, not life.

Thinking over this story again, I realize there is yet another application to it that fits our message for today….

We will be controlled by something in this life. We are commanded to be controlled by something, namely the Spirit, in this life. What we are controlled by will determine the outcome. Being controlled by the flesh will result in death. Being controlled by the Spirit will result in life.

Having taken time to consider the Holy Spirit as a being and his work throughout time since creation and into the future, we will circle back to the one work in Acts and in the church that we have skipped over.

His Filling Ministry.

And from this filling ministry, we will consider what does it mean to walk in the Spirit.

Body

Work Related to Acts

Luke used two distinct phrases to describe the Spirit’s activity in Acts (and Gospel of Luke)

The two phrases describe the activities of the Spirit

The phrases are:

Pimplemi Pneumatos agiou - Filled with the Holy Spirit

Pleres pneumatos agiou - Full of the Holy Spirit

We will see that both have similar meanings and yet in Acts, they appear to be distinctively applied.

We will see one appears to be a momentary empowerment for ministry where the other appears to be referring more to a character, a manner of living that has prolonged application.

FIRST….

Filled with the Holy Spirit -Pimplemi Pneumatos agiou

Filled - To cause to be completely full; To satisfy a need totally, to satiate.

Acts 2:4.

Acts 2:4 ESV

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples were suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues.

The verb “filled” in verse four is used in the NT of believers who are enabled to speak in tongues.

Saying it another way: The speaking in tongues was the direct result of being filled with the Spirit.

Acts 4:31.

Acts 4:31 ESV

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Peter and John were told by the Sanhedrin not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus

While praying with other believers, the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit.

This filling gave them the boldness to continue to preach in the face of persecution.

Acts 9:17.

Acts 9:17 ESV

So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit in the house of Judas

This filling enabled Paul to speak in the Synagogues (Vs. 20).

This filling was necessary for the prophetic service that Paul would have as indicated in verse 15.

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, was endowed to speak or preach as well as having miracles.

Acts 13:4-12.

Acts 13:4–12 ESV

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Elymas the sorcerer was attempting to turn Sergius Paulus from listening to the Word of God.

Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, judged Him.

He discerned the intent and nature of his heart and rebuked him for his attempt to turn the proconsul away from the Lord.

Acts 11:1-18.

Acts 11:1–18 ESV

1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6 Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

The Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and friends

The ministry of the Holy Spirit is related to what happened to the disciples at Pentecost

Luke uses fell upon and filled interchangeably in this context.

Both phrases refer to supernatural activity resulting from the work of the Holy Spirit.

And while it does not appear here that they spoke in tongues or did anything miraculous, this is very much like the moment of Pentecost when the Spirit fell upon the men in the upper room.

This act of FALLING UPON was a public and visible act that validated the church, the apostles teaching, and the authenticity of the change that was coming due to Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven.

Over time, this need for them to lay on hands for the Spirit to come would case and it would be automatic and immediate.

But because this was so new, this miraculous method of His coming was a sign of authenticity.

Acts 19:1-7.

Acts 19:1–7 ESV

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 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.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Saved disciples of John the Baptist are preaching the gospel of the kingdom at Ephesus.

After learning about the Holy Spirit and Christ (vs 2) they were baptized in water.

Paul laid hands upon them and the Holy Spirit came upon them.

This ministry of the Holy Spirit resulted in tongues and prophecying.

Summary

The phrase “filled with the Spirit” in Acts apparently described a ministry of the Spirit which conveys the power of the preaching.

It has also been defined as an instantaneous filing of the Spirit resulting in inspired utterances.

Filled with the Spirit refers to a momentary experience of the Spirit coming upon someone for a specific period of time and a specific ministry.

The Phrase “Filled with the Spirit’ appears to describe a sudden filling of the Holy Spirit which results in miraculous activity.

This describes the activity of the Holy Spirit empowering men

It involves enablement for a task.

The apostles were equipped for the purpose of communicating the Word of God.

SECOND….

Full of the Holy Spirit - Pleres pneumatos agiou

Full Pertaining to containing within itself all that it can hold

Of things - Basket FULL of pieces

Of persons - power, feeling, characteristic, quality

Full - Pertaining to being complete, lacking nothing

Acts 6:3-8; 7:55.

Acts 6:3–8 ESV

3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 7:55 ESV

55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

Seven Hellenistic Jews were selected to assist the Apostles

One requirement was that they were to be “full of the Holy Spirit.”

In the book of Acts, this expression of BEING FULL of the Spirit is connected to one’s character rather than a momentary empowerment that results in some specific task of ministry.

Being FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is an expression of one’s character.

We see it as well of Barnabas in Acts 11:22-24.

Acts 11:22–24 ESV

22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Jesus was said to be FULL of the Holy Spirit upon returning from the wilderness

Luke 4:1.

Luke 4:1 ESV

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness

We will see later in Ephesians 5:18 that the idea of being CONTROLLED by the Spirit. Though the word no where else means controlled, Paul will connect this concept of being CONTROLLED to the idea of being FULL of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, The phrase “full of the Spirit” describes a more permanent condition relating to one’s character (which of course can be changing as well) rather than a momentary event.

The phrase “full of the Spirit” appears to refer to a characteristic of a person’s life.

The use of “full of” with other nouns in Acts supports this.

Stephen was full of grace and power in Acts 6:8.

Acts 6:8 ESV

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.

In Acts 13:10, Elymas was full of deceit and villany.

Acts 13:10 ESV

10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

In Acts 19:28, the silversmiths were full of rage.

Acts 19:28 ESV

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

In each case, Luke is describing a characteristic, and not a temporary condition.

Truth is, I believe there IS an overlap between pimplemi and pleres. John the Baptist was pimplemi, from the womb. He was FILLED in a SUPERNATURAL way for an extraordinary ministry.

As such, he would also have been pleres - exemplified in character by one CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit.

Those who are pimplemi would also be pleres.

BUT not all those who are pleres, necessarily are pimplemi.

There does appear to be a distinction in scripture that some were supernaturally empowered for ministry, tongues, healings, prophecies, miracles, etc. This filling appears distinct from the one we are all called and commanded to, of being CONTROLLED by the Spirit.

And this brings us to how this filling works now in the church age…

Work Related to the Church

The Filling Ministry

Ephesians 5:1-21.

Ephesians 5:1–21 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The verb pleroo “be filled”

This is the same root word found in (Full of the Holy Spirit) - Pleres pneumatos agiou

Full Pertaining to containing within itself all that it can hold

Of things - Basket FULL of pieces

Of persons - power, feeling, characteristic, quality

Full - Pertaining to being complete, lacking nothing

The context here in Ephesians 5:18 provides for us the additional understanding of being controlled.

The contrast with being DRUNK

When you are drunk, you are FULL of alcohol.

When you are FULL of alcohol, it has a controlling influence of your actions.

So Paul is making a direct connection to be FULL OF, containing in oneself all that it can hold, WITH a controlling influence.

Which makes sense, right?

When you are FULL, FILLED UP, COMPLETELY TOPPED OFF, Satisfied, and satiated by something…does that thing not CONTROL you?

When you are FULL of food, you are controlled by it…

You don’t go looking for more food…your being full controls your desire (or lack thereof) for more.

You may even be so full that you are compelled to “unbutton your pants” OR lay down because you cannot feel compelled to move any more OR you are so guilted you go exercise…Your actions being controlled by being full.

When you are FULL of compassion…

You ACT compassionate to others…

You ACT upon those feelings by serving others, to helping to relieve suffering, by praying for others

YOUR ACTIONS being compelled by being FILLED or FULL of something.

THUS, we understand that to be FILLED with the Spirit, to be FULL of the SPIRIT bears the idea of being CONTROLLED by that which you are filled with.

The picture, the contrast to wine that Paul gives reveals and argues for that reality

When one is filled with wine, that wine controls their actions.

Here in Ephesians we are told to be FILLED with the Spirit

This is an imperative. This is a command.

THUS, this is something, we have responsibility for.

Many of the ministries of the Holy Spirit that we have considered, he just does…we have no part of.

He regenerates (when we repent and believe)

He baptizes

He seals

He convicts

He teaches/reminds

These are things HE does.

For most of these, there is no responsibility on our part aside from our repentance and faith.

But here, we are commanded to FILLED with Him, thus indicating a difference.

The Holy Spirit is most definitely viewed as the agent who does the filling

HOWEVER, we are responsible submitting to His filling and keeping in step with Him

We are responsible for that which CONTROLS us.

Interestingly, Paul also makes a direct connection to WALKING in the Spirit in this same passage.

Conclusion

For today, we need to understand that the Spirit has a filling ministry.

We need to understand that during the time of Acts, a distinctive ministry of filling existed that empowered ones for miraculous ministry (tongues, healing, prophecy, etc) but that it was temporary

Then and now, the filling ministry of the Spirit is about CONTROL, about bringing our live under submission and obedience to God and living and walking IN HIS power and purpose…

A command for which we are all responsible.

Being filled with the Spirit is not an optional accessory to the Christian life. It is the hub of walking consistently with God… To not be “filled” (directed and empowered) with the Spirit is to disobey a direct command of Scripture and is therefore sin. The Book of Ephesians, AMG Publishers, 2003, p. 134 Eddie Rasnake

As for the specifics of how we go about living that reality, we will explore and examine that next.

It is my prayer that as we understand and humbly submit ourselves to His filling, that will be growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God.

Application

Is it possible for God to still fill (pimplemi) today?

Yes, I believe so. If not all sign gifts have ceased, if the need arose, if God saw fit, he could still fill in such a way today to enable for a specific task of ministry.

My view is, if he still does this, it is rare and more uncommon that common. Because have the word, the need for sign gifts is less, though perhaps not complete eliminated.

Why is it important to understand the distinction between pimplemi and pleres?

If we fail to understand, we could begin to think that we ALL should be able to speak in tongues, do miracles, healings, etc. Creates wrong theology and wrong expectations.

Why is it essential that we understand it is a command for us to be filled with and to walk in the Spirit?

Places responsibility on us to obey, to submit to Christ, and to walk worthy.

While we are not responsible for the actual filling, we ARE responsible to repent of sinful choices/actions, distracting choices/actions, and choose to prioritize God, putting him above all other things.

How does the truth of the Spirit’s filling encourage you and give you hope? How does it help you day by day as we live in this broken world?

I am not alone.

I am not powerless

He is at work in me to change me

He is there to grant me wisdom and knowledge

He is there to grant me courage and boldness

He is there to give me comfort and hope when hurting.

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