Filling with Holy Spirit (2)

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

In the OT

Ex 31:3 Bezalel filled with the Spirit for artwork on the tabernacle; Dt 34:9 Joshua filled with the Spirit to succeed Moses

In the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist

Lk 1:15 John the Baptist filled with the Spirit from birth; Lk 1:41 Elizabeth filled with the Spirit and speaks words of praise; Lk 1:67 Zechariah prophesies about the life of John and God’s salvation

Jesus Christ is full of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:1 HCSB

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

See also Lk 10:21; Jn 3:34; Ac 10:38

NT terminology

Ac 1:5 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

Eph 5:18 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 HCSB

Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.

See also Ac 4:31; Ac 9:17

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

Acts 6:3–5 HCSB

Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.” The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.

See also Ac 11:24; Ac 13:52

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

Ac 4:8 Peter testifying before the Sanhedrin; Ac 7:55 Stephen testifying to the Sanhedrin, seeing the glory of God; Ac 13:9 Paul rebuking Elymas

Characteristics of the Spirit-filled life

The Spirit of Christ should rule believers’ lives

Romans 8:4–6 HCSB

in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.

See also Ga 5:16; Ga 5:25

The Spirit produces fruit of Christlike character

Ro 15:13; 2 Co 6:6; Ga 5:22–23

The Spirit brings liberty

Romans 7:6 HCSB

But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.

See also 2 Co 3:17; Ga 5:1

Being filled with the Spirit often leads to words of praise

Acts 2:4 HCSB

Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.

See also Ac 4:31; Ac 10:44–46; Ac 19:6; Eph 5:18–20

Characteristics linked with the fulness of the Spirit

Skill:

Ex 31:3; Ex 35:31

Wisdom:

Dt 34:9; Ac 6:3

Joy:

Lk 10:21; Ac 13:52

Faith:

Ac 6:5; Ac 11:24