Be Filled With the Holy Spirit

PENTECOST
"But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.”
”­”­Acts”¬ ”­1”¬:”­8”¬ ”­AMPC”¬”¬

"AND WHEN the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all assembled together in one place, When suddenly there came a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent tempest blast, and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were separated and distributed and which settled on each one of them. And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different, foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words].”
”­”­Acts”¬ ”­2”¬:”­1”¬-”­4”¬ ”­AMPC”¬”¬

Pentecost - this is the one thing that is lacking the most in Christendom. By definition every church must be birthed through Pentecost, otherwise there is something sorely missing, only mental ascent to Christian doctrine without the power of the Spirit brings death and decay. It is form without substance, a tree cursed by God and dried up to its roots never again to bring fruit. Preaching without the power of the Spirit becomes the letter that kills. It is still the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, just with a religious coating. Its fruit makes us hard and proud and scatters us into various religious camps that fight each other. In the book of Acts, the apostles and Aquila and Priscilla painstakingly made sure, everyone was filled with the Spirit, even if he was a gifted apolegetic like Apollos.

I've been to more than one church who didn't preach or believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit but yet we're growing, vibrant congregationations. One would prefer it of course, but I don't think without it all will turn to religion and decay. I've seen different.

To quote Paris Reidhead...

I said, "I don't think you're ready. Suppose you consider yourself coming up driving a Cadillac. You've talked about your program, you've talked about your radio, you've talked about your Sunday School and church. It's very good. You've done wonderfully well without the power of the Holy Spirit."

That's what the Chinese Christian said, you know, when he got back to China. "What impressed you most about America?" He said, "The great things Americans can accomplish without God."

The young preacher had accomplished a great deal, admittedly without God. Now he wanted something of power to accomplish his ends even further.

When I received Jesus as my savior in 1972, Charismatic churches were baptizing new converts, and believers were laying hands on these new converts for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We rarely see this any more, not baptism in water, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Why not? For the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will make us to be bold witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I think the biggest problem is that most in Christian circles have abused what they think is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and so to reduce the damage to their reputation, most churches/denominations just steer clear of it all, including miracles, signs and prophetic words.

It all has to point back to Jesus Christ and give Him the glory He deserves, and most of what I see these days is very self-based, glorifying man and getting all he can out of God.

Absolutely, I have been in churches with all sorts of manifestation, but I saw very little holiness.

Abuse or non-use are both wrong.

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

Surely God can still show signs and wonders. I was healed from leukemia when I was only two years of age. The doctors told my parents to start planning my funeral, but God had other plans.

I've seen God's hand numerable times throughout my life, in healing, in provision, in protection, etc. No one can tell me that He still doesn't do miracles, signs wonders and if He desires compel men to speak in divers languages to get His point across. Like I said, as long as the focus remains on Him and His glory, that's all that matters.

The churches that have emphasized the gifts of the spirit without teaching on the fruit of the spirit have got into all kinds of extremism. We need both the fruit of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit, and the gifts of the spirit work by the love of God, and one of the fruits of the spirit is self control .

I would like to suggest that this passage is the broader purpose of the filling of the Spirit daily and the gifts of the Spirit either coming occasionally in a meeting or more often in serving the saints is a part of this larger context and crucial necessity of being filled.

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light -- Colossians 1:9-12 (CSB)

Being filled with the Spirit so that.........knowing His will and His good pleasure......walking worthy......bearing His fruit.......growing through walking with Him in the "knowing of Him" in greater and greater revelations through life with Him......... serving Him in His strength..... being enabled to endure and suffer long the opposition and temptations of the evil one, the world and the flesh and doing so with joy and thankful hearts as we know He is enabling us to attain to our inheritance and hope of eternal life. Being filled isn't so that we can have better tools for the Christian life. Being filled is essential so that we can be His tool and instrument of righteousness so He gets all the glory from His life in us using us and changing us into His likeness in the process. Being filled with Christ.....so we can live like Christ, be protected by Christ (Eph 6:10), become like Christ and be with Christ our inheritance forever. Being filled is critical to eternal life. Being cleansed and forgiven and having a new heart are just the foundation for being filled. ( 1 John 1)

Amen Robert. We should be praying this Apostolic prayer frequently

"For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light” -- Colossians 1:9-12 (CSB)

This prayer, according to Paul in Colossians 1, was non-stop for people Paul called "saints”, "faithful”, "in Christ”…… saints who have faith in Christ, love for all the saints, and confidence in the promise of life forever with God. Professors who don’t share these qualities can’t have much expectation of being filled daily. I suspect the professing church would be challenged to witness some saints walking in this fullness as it would expose their lack and/or inability. Thus, the downward pressure within the larger group to have the true people of God filled or even pursue being filled.

I would like to also point out that this filling doesn't happen automatically. These saints were exemplary or maybe just examples of true Christians. Yet, Paul was praying constantly for the filling daily for them. Entire daily dependence on God to give His Spirit in fullness so that His people could be His people in truth, deed and character and be protected from temptation and the evil one (Lord's prayer, Luke 11). Perhaps Mike, Paul’s prayer in Colossians is not an Apostolic prayer but just a fuller explication of the Lord’s Prayer.

The truth that this filling is critical, can't be presumed, must be prayed for constantly, and a Christian isn't a Christian without it as a consistent description of their walk is really important and the lack of focus on it is quite detrimental to one's hoped for salvation.

The churches that have emphasized the gifts of the spirit with without teaching on the fruit of the spirit have got into all kinds of extremism. We need both the fruit of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit, and the gifts of the spirit work by the love of God, and one of the fruits of the spirit is self control .

Agreed and Amen. Just don’t forget the wisdom of God, the knowing of God, the mighty power to keep us and the transforming work in all the above. :).

Since being filled is really about the Trinity, I thought some or all might enjoy abd be blessed by this song which I worshipped to after the back and forth on being filled.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qULnbRmU0F8&list=OLAK5uy_kg_jgHio9eiIpAO1Cz2mHCjO_1YxfRH98&index=4&pp=8AUB

AbideinHim wrote:
The churches that have emphasized the gifts of the spirit with without teaching on the fruit of the spirit have got into all kinds of extremism. We need both the fruit of the spirit and the gifts of the spirit, and the gifts of the spirit work by the love of God, and one of the fruits of the spirit is self control .

Yes we do need both but those against speaking in tongues always say, "You NEED the fruit of the Spirit as much as the gifts!” My goodness, if I’ve heard that once, I’ve heard it 1000 times but do you know who else NEEDS the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? Those doing the accusing! Where’s their goodness? Their kindness? Their gentleness? Their faithfulness, peace, patience, joy self-control and love??? I’m just saying! 😊 :) This is a two-way street we got going here!

I don’t know who said it but "The gifts of the Spirit prove that God can USE human beings but the fruit of the Spirit prove that God can CHANGE human beings.” And that is the truth!!

Any (and all) abuse of the Holy Spirit’s gift does NOT disprove the Holy Spirit still giving His gifts out to man-kind. The Holy Spirit is baptizing inmates in jail! They are hungry to be overcomers!! And God is meeting them behind the iron bars!! I stand amazed!!

Before the Bible was readily available years and years ago, God still filled His people with His Spirit. My friend’s great-great-great grandfather was a circuit rider (who prayed in tongues) and people tried to stone him with fruit, sticks and rocks and whatever they had handy when he rode into town. They didn’t understand the power of God then and they still don’t today.

I am a true believer that a Christian cannot live an overcoming life without the power of God and I feel that way because of what Christ has done in me since baptizing me with His Holy Spirit 44 years ago.

This was not intended for anyone person, so please do not personally take offense!

God bless us all as we read the word of God without fear and unbelief,
Lisa

PS: I love Jason Upton, Robert!

Posing a question.

Are you "filled with the Holy Spirit” as contemplated and commanded if all you do is speak on tongues or have some other gift ? Are you filled if all you have manifest is power, or some wisdom or solely love or joy ? I don’t see the Spirit divisible that way in terms of being "filled”. I’m not suggesting you can’t have gifts without fruits or boldness without joy. I’m only asking can you be filled if you don’t have all available and manifest. As an example can I be said to have love if I don’t have joy. Are the fruits of the Spirit divisible when I’m filled ?

Maybe filled with the Spirit is different than the truth of manifestation of some aspect of the Spirit. That is why Paul commands us to keep being filled as that is a steady state Christianity where the Spirit life is filling you fully and constantly and different manifestations (gifts, power, endurance, etc) are brought forth situationally or to meet need.

I've been to more than one church who didn't preach or believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit but yet we're growing, vibrant congregationations. One would prefer it of course, but I don't think without it all will turn to religion and decay. I've seen different.

I am a believer in baptism of the Holy Spirit, but I agree with you. I have seen churches like this. My answer is just because they did not preach or emphasis the baptism of Holy Spirit, it does not mean they are missing it. For example an uneducated person may not know how digestion works, still he might have better digestive system than a doctor who can explain digestion better!

I have heard the testimony of men who did not believe in Baptism of Holy Spirit and still received it.

Jesus said we will have power, if we are powerless in our Christian life then we need to ask for power. He will empower us even if we believe in terms like Baptism of the Holy Spirit or not.

Some time back I heard a Baptist preacher say that we do not increase in the amount of Holy Spirit anymore than what we received at the time of born again (my paraphrase). I met him and questioned him about scriptures that speak about being filled with the Holy Spirit which are written to believers. He gave me a twisted explanation which I could not fully comprehend. Can someone explain me how this Baptist theology works?

Ephesians 5:18 - Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Acts 9:17 So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul,” he said, "the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming
here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

From then on Paul spent the rest of his life preaching and defending the Gospel and suffering for Christ
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 3:7 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. 8More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.…

In Christ alone my hope is found

Markus

I have felt so.under attack spiritually and I so need jesus

I've been to more than one church who didn't preach or believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit but yet we're growing, vibrant congregationations. One would prefer it of course, but I don't think without it all will turn to religion and decay. I've seen different.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. Without it no one can have a Christian life.

A person may not preach or believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to Pentecostal teaching but is by faith baptised in the Holy Spirit according to the words of Christ.

Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is what the Lord commanded his disciples to do. Jesus said you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses. Jesus has given us a great commission, and we cannot fulfill the Great commission unless we are full of the Holy Spirit and have the power of God operating in our life. So this is not a matter of your opinion or your denomination’s opinion. You either believe the words of Jesus, and the commands of Jesus, and what actually happened on the day of Pentecost that was the birth of the Church or you don’t .

"Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to each other; sing to the Lord and make music in your heart to him;”
(Ephesians 5.18,-9)

Philip went to Samaria and they were saved and then Peter and John came to pray for the Holy Spirit to fall on them.

Acts 8:

5-6 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they came down, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for still He had come on none of them. They were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

And Paul made a distinction between being saved and receiving the Holy Spirit:

Acts 19:1-7

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.

As Derek Prince said, "If you get all when you are saved, where is it all?" There is a distinction.

I have brought this forward NOT to condemn anyone, I have brought this forward that "IF" you want more or are hungry for more of Jesus, IT IS AVAILABLE!

God bless us all!!!
Lisa

Lysa

How about this:

Acts 10:44-45 ”“
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

Acts 11:17 ”“
Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

Acts 16:1 ”“
They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

They heard the Gospel message and they believed and were saved and they received the Holy Spirit. All at the same time.

After that, they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48).

"The kind of empowering that we receive in the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience that we need again and again.”
Now, that experience may come in an unusual, decisive experience after conversion ”” a day, a week, a year, or a minute ”” followed by subsequent outpourings or fillings or baptisms of the Spirit periodically throughout life. Or that experience may come at the very moment of conversion followed by lifelong subsequent experiences of empowering in the Holy Spirit. It may come in various ways and fillings and blessings throughout a lifetime that are just unpredictable and various.

John Piper

Jade,

Yes! That is excellent too!

"The kind of empowering that we receive in the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience that we need again and again.”

Is Christianity meant to be a continual and unceasing life of power in Christ by the Holy Spirit OR a series of experiences of the Spirit’s power?

I so need a refilling of the holy spirit

We should not seperate the Holy Sprit from the true Gospel and the work of Christ, otherwise we might soon loose our focus and be led astray .
The Corinithiens had all the gifts but also all the problems.
Paul even had to remind them what really matters:
1 Corinthians 2:2 "for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].(Ampl)
Unless we get back to this simple teaching we just get further and further away from the truth.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

If we are willing to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, then we also have the promis to receive the HS and therefore the power for the ministry
We need to learn to trust and obey !

In recent months we have seen again how people fly around the world to get some kind of an experience.
But we should learn to come again to "The Old Rugged Cross..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOmipqhQBOM

We don't need to get there in an aeroplane, just fall on our knees
May we be filled afresh with the love of Christ and His work on Calvary

Markus

From RA Torrye's The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Chapter 4):

"Fresh Baptisms with the Holy Spirit" or the Refilling with the Holy Spirit

In the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, fourth verse, we read: "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak," etc. This was the fulfillment of Acts 1:5. "Ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." One of those mentioned by name as being "filled with the Holy Ghost," (Acts ii: 4), or "baptised with the Holy Ghost" (Acts i: 5), at this time was Peter.

Turning over to the fourth chapter, the eighth verse, we read: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them," etc. Here Peter experienced a new filling with the Holy Spirit. Again, in the thirty first verse of this same chapter, we read: "When they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost."

Peter is named as one of this company (verses 19 and 23), so we see that Peter here experienced a third filling with the Holy Spirit. It is evident that it is not sufficient that one be once "baptised with the Holy Spirit,"

As new emergencies of service arise, there must be new fillings with the Spirit. The failure to realize this has led to most sad and serious results in many a man's service. He has been baptised at some period in his life with the Holy Spirit, and strives to get through his whole future life in the power of this past experience. It is largely for this reason that we see so many men who once unquestionably worked in the Holy Spirit's power, who give little evidence of the possession of that power to-day.

For each new service that is to be conducted, for each new soul that is to be dealt with, for each new service for Christ that is to be performed, for each new day and each new emergency of Christian life and service, we should definitely seek a new filling with the Holy Spirit. I do not deny that there is an "anointing that abideth," (1 Jno. ii: 27), nor the permanency of the gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows; I simply assert with clear and abundant Scripture proof, to say nothing of proof from experience. and observation; that this gift must not be "neglected." (1 Tim. iv: 14), but rather ''kindled anew" or "stirred into aflame" (2 Tim. i: 6 R.V. marg.); and that repeated fillings with the Holy Spirit are necessary to continuance and increase of power.

Now arises the question, ought these new fillings with the Holy Spirit to be called "fresh baptisms with the Holy Spirit?" While, on the one hand, it must be admitted that in Acts ii: 4, the expression "filled with the Holy Ghost" is used to describe the experience promised in Acts i: 5, in the words, "Ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost, " and that therefore the two expressions are to this extent synonymous; on the other hand, it should be noticed, that the expression, ''Baptised with the Holy Spirit" is nowhere used in the Bible of any experience but the first, and that, furthermore, the word "baptised" of itself suggests an initial or initatory experience. While, therefore, we stand for the truth that those who speak of "fresh baptisms with the Holy Spirit" are aiming at, it would seem wisest to follow the uniform Bible usage and speak of the experiences that succeed the first, as being "filled with the Holy Spirit," and not as being "baptised with the Holy Spirit."

For each new service that is to be conducted, for each new soul that is to be dealt with, for each new service for Christ that is to be performed, for each new day and each new emergency of Christian life and service, we should definitely seek a new filling with the Holy Spirit.

I do not deny that there is an "anointing that abideth," (1 Jno. ii: 27), nor the permanency of the gifts that the Holy Spirit bestows; I simply assert with clear and abundant Scripture proof, to say nothing of proof from experience. and observation; that this gift must not be "neglected." (1 Tim. iv: 14), but rather ''kindled anew" or "stirred into aflame" (2 Tim. i: 6 R.V. marg.); and that repeated fillings with the Holy Spirit are necessary to continuance and increase of power.

Now arises the question, ought these new fillings with the Holy Spirit to be called "fresh baptisms with the Holy Spirit?" While, on the one hand, it must be admitted that in Acts ii: 4, the expression "filled with the Holy Ghost" is used to describe the experience promised in Acts i: 5, in the words, "Ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost," and that therefore the two expressions are to this extent synonymous; on the other hand, it should be noticed, that the expression, ''Baptised with the Holy Spirit" is nowhere used in the Bible of any experience but the first, and that, furthermore, the word "baptised" of itself suggests an initial or initatory experience.

While, therefore, we stand for the truth that those who speak of "fresh baptisms with the Holy Spirit" are aiming at, it would seem wisest to follow the uniform Bible usage and speak of the experiences that succeed the first, as being "filled with the Holy Spirit," and not as being "baptised with the Holy Spirit."

"For each new service that is to be conducted, for each new soul that is to be dealt with, for each new service for Christ that is to be performed, for each new day and each new emergency of Christian life and service, we should definitely seek a new filling with the Holy Spirit. "

Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine...Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

"Various Greek scholars and bible commentators point out that the Greek present imperative tense is used in this verse. It has the connotation of a continuous replenishment, an ongoing state of being filled.”

https://www.jimfeeney.org/filledwiththeSpirit.html

I need to be refilled with the holy spirit as I feel so dry

I need to be refilled with the holy spirit as I feel so dry

Can you fast from eating two meals a day and snacks, just one meal a day (possibly lunch), then fasting approx 23.5 hours in between each meal? For 40 days? For 30 days? From 7 days?

Have you fasted from your phone? And from the internet?

Have you fasted from watching sermons?

Dominic, you've got to do something different than what you've been doing for years because what you've been doing for the past 10 years doesn't seem to be not working for you.

If you want to be refilled, you will get it on your knees in your room before an almighty God. That's what the rest of us has to do. No one can pray for you to be refilled, that comes from you.

I'm old enough to be your mother but I've been around the block a time or two, had many a dry spell myself.

God bless you, Dominic.
Lisa

"This is an experience, as I understand the teaching, which is the birthright of every Christian. . .It is not confined just to these people on the Day of Pentecost"

"Here let me recommend the little book published by the Banner of Truth a number of years back. It is called The Early Life of Howell Harris by Richard Bennett - in the original Welsh it is The Dawn of Welsh Calvinistic Methodism. Bennett gives an excellent account of this crucial experience. What was it? To me, there is only one expression to use. It was the expression used by these men themselves and by their successors. It was a baptism 'of fire' or a 'baptism of power'.”

"The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the initial experience of glory, and the reality and the love of the Father and of the Son. Yes, you may have many further experiences of that, but the first experience, I would suggest, is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The saintly John Fletcher of Madeley put it like this: ‘Every Christian should have his Pentecost.’”

”” Martyn Lloyd Jones

"That which forms the great secret of all personal revival is. . .a fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost. Nothing short of this will quicken your dying graces, and melt your frozen love; nothing save this will arrest your secret declension, and restore your backsliding heart.

. . .O arise, and pray, and agonize for the outpouring of the Spirit upon your soul. . .Seek, then, above and beyond all other blessings, the renewed baptism of the Holy Ghost. "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18); Seek Him earnestly, seek Him under the deep conviction of your absolute need of Him, seek Him perseveringly, seek Him believingly. God has promised, "I will pour out My Spirit upon you"; and, asking it in the name of Jesus, you shall receive.”

”” Octavius Winslow

All know the pain, longing and anguish of Paul for the church to be mature, filled with all the fullness of Christ, to be conformed to Christ....as if he was in labor pains. Likewise, Romans 8 makes clear that all creation is groaning, the first fruit Christians were groaning and even the Holy Spirit is interceding with groaning until the "Sons of Glory" are revealed (in their Christ like bodies and glorification).

We don't groan or suffer labor pains as we ought.

The Holy Spirit was and is given primarily for this purpose of maturity, righteousness and Christlikeness. This is the Lord's will for the giving and filling of the Holy Spirit.....the perfection of the Bride for Her Husband. Perfect in number and perfect in virtue and righteous character (Revelation 19).

Power for proclaiming yes. Power for conversion yes. Power for transformation yes, power for endurance until the end yes.

If the primary plan and will of God is for the Bride to be formed, conformed and transformed, then prayers to this end for filling will be certainly answered yes.

Fillings for awe and wonder occur only to serve this primary end.... to attest to the truth and to add to the body and build it up to the Head, to maturity. This understanding I believe is critical to right praying and righteous receiving of the full manifestation.

I appreciate the quotes of the saints who experience the filling and their desire for it. The quotes of God through Paul as to the purpose of the filling are most helpful to aligning our hearts and will to the Lord's for His purposes and plan and thus are compelling to the Lord.

A Question:

The Holy Spirit is the third PERSON in the Trinity and the Lord Jesus says that He has come to live in believers FOREVER.

If the Holy Spirit is in us forever, don't we have His power in us always unless we are not letting Him lead us and govern us?

How does the Holy Spirit who is a Person fill us?

In 3 dimensions
Spirit, soul and body

First in our spirit man, then to envelop our soul, and finally to permeate our bodies to flow out from us to others.

The Holy Spirit fills us as we obey the Lord, focusing on Him in prayer, singing and meditating on His Word!

Blessings to all

rbanks

Just to know where we are coming from, are you Oneness Pentecostal or do you believe in the Trinity?

This will shape our view of the Holy Spirit.

I believe in the Trinity.

Blessings.

rbanks

The Holy Spirit fills us as we obey the Lord, focusing on Him in prayer, singing and meditating on His Word!

Can you give scripture for this?

Here is a just a few scriptures…

Acts 5:32 (KJV) And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Ephesians 5:18-19 (KJV) 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Acts 4:31 (KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:7-8 (KJV) 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

rbanks

The Holy Spirit fills us as we obey the Lord, focusing on Him in prayer, singing and meditating on His Word!

Scripture clearly says that the Holy Spirit is received BY FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Himself said:

John 7:37-39 ”“
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN HIM were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Peter said:

Acts 11:15-17 ”“
And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also AFTER BELIEVING IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

Paul wrote:

Gal. 3:14 ”“
……that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit THROUGH FAITH.

THE HOLY SPIRIT INDWELLS US

1 Cor. 3:16 --
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

The Lord Jesus said:

John 14:16-17 ”“
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you FOREVER; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be IN YOU.

FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT/FULL OF THE SPIRIT

The Lord Jesus said concerning the Holy Spirit:

John 16:13-15 ”“
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit, therefore, is to be filled with the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we put on the Lord Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, flesh is denied.

Rom. 13:14 ”“
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Phil. 3:3 ”“
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Phil. 4:13 ”“
I can do all things through (lit. in) Him who strengthens me.

John 15:5 ”“
for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Acts 5:32 (KJV) And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Paul preached the OBEDIENCE OF FAITH (Rom. 1:5).

John said:

1 John 3:23 ”“
This is His commandment, that we BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

Ephesians 5:18-19 (KJV) 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

I do not think that this scripture says that we are filled with the Holy Spirit by singing.

Acts 4:31 (KJV) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:7-8 (KJV) 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

I would say they were strengthened by the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.

This is consistent with Paul’s prayer:

Eph. 3:14-16 ”“
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN,

They could not have spoken the word with boldness in the weakness of flesh.

But they had the Holy Spirit dwelling in them to strengthen them to speak the word with boldness.

I don’t understand your argument…

I have no problems with the scriptures brother…

No argument with me…I believe all the scriptures

When we truly believe, we will obey…

Blessings to all!

A GENERAL COMMENT

We do not need repeated "experiences of the Spirit’s filling” to empower us to live the Christian life. The Holy Spirit forever indwells all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit’s presence in us is often known but cannot be explained. In the unseen depths of our spirit, the Holy Spirit works to conform us to the image of Christ that we may be the sons of God and heirs of God in Christ.

It is the Lord Jesus we must fix our gaze on and be preoccupied with.

John 6:40 ”“
For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who BEHOLDS THE SON AND BELIEVES IN HIM will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.

Heb. 12:1-2 ”“
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, THE AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2 Cor. 3:18 ”“
But we all, with unveiled face, BEHOLDING AS IN A MIRROR THE GLORY OF THE LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Christ is our wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification., and redemption.

1 Cor. 1:30 ”“
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

Christ is the power and wisdom of God.

1 Cor. 1:24 ”“
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ.

Col. 2:3 ”“
Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Life is in Christ.

John 11:25-26 ”“
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

1 John 5:11-12 ”“
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.

Peace is from Christ.

John 14:27 ”“
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Joy is from Christ.

John 15:11 ”“
………that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

And it is the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge that we must know (Eph. 3:19).

The Holy Spirit is sent to dwell in us for this work:

John 16:13-15 ”“
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. HE WILL GLORIFY ME, FOR HE WILL TAKE OF MINE AND WILL DISCLOSE IT TO YOU. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.

It is the fullness of Christ that fills all in all in the Church which is His body (Eph. 1:23) that must fill each one of us.

(Note: All caps just for emphasis)

This is Young’s Literal Translation’s translation of Eph. 5:18 ”“

"and be not drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be filled IN the Spirit,”

(Note: My emphasis in caps)

COMMENT:

We are not to be drunk with wine but filled IN the Spirit.

Putting Eph. 5:18 and Gal. 5:22-23 together, we can say:

"and be not drunk with wine, IN WHICH is dissoluteness, but be filled IN the Spirit, IN WHICH is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”

What is the importance of "IN" as opposed to "with" the Holy Spirit?

Thank you,
Lisa

What is the importance of "IN" as opposed to "with" the Holy Spirit?

Rom. 8:9 ”“
However, you are not in the flesh but IN THE SPIRIT, if indeed THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

The Holy Spirit dwells in believers permanently (John 14:16-17). We have Him ALWAYS.

The command to heed is:

Eph. 4:301 ”“
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

(All caps just for emphasis)