Filling with Holy Spirit

People filled with the Holy Spirit before the ministry of Jesus Christ

In the OT

Bezalel filled with the Spirit for artwork on the tabernacle; Joshua filled with the Spirit to succeed Moses

In the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist

John the Baptist filled with the Spirit from birth; Elizabeth filled with the Spirit and speaks words of praise; Zechariah prophesies about the life of John and God’s salvation

Jesus Christ is full of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:1 NRSV

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

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NT terminology

While these terms are virtually synonymous when used of initial experiences of the Spirit, “filled” is also used to designate subsequent experiences and renewings of the same divine power, while the other terms are not.

“Be filled with the Spirit”: an apostolic command

The present tense of the verb implies the need to be regularly filled and re-filled with the Spirit.

“Filled with the Spirit”: a conscious experience of God’s power

Acts 2:4 NRSV

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

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“Full of the Spirit”: a consistent quality of Christian character

Acts 6:3–5 NRSV

Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.

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“Filled with the Spirit”: the inspiration to speak words of witness, challenge or rebuke

Peter testifying before the Sanhedrin; Stephen testifying to the Sanhedrin, seeing the glory of God; Paul rebuking Elymas

Characteristics of the Spirit-filled life

The Spirit of Christ should rule believers’ lives

Romans 8:4–6 NRSV

so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

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The Spirit produces fruit of Christlike character

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The Spirit brings liberty

Romans 7:6 NRSV

But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

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Being filled with the Spirit often leads to words of praise

Acts 2:4 NRSV

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

See also ; ; ;

Characteristics linked with the fulness of the Spirit

Skill:

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Wisdom:

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Joy:

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Faith:

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