Dictionary of Bible Themes To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be energised and controlled by the third person of the Godhead in such a way that under the acknowledged lordship of Jesus Christ the full presence and power of God are experienced. Spirit-filling leads to renewal, obedience, boldness in testimony and an arresting quality in believers' lives. Exodus 31:3People filled with the Holy Spirit before the ministry of Jesus Christ In the OT Deuteronomy 34:9 fnBezalel filled with the Spirit for artwork on the tabernacle Luke 1:15Joshua filled with the Spirit to succeed Moses In the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist Luke 1:41John the Baptist filled with the Spirit from birth Luke 1:67Elizabeth filled with the Spirit and speaks words of praise Zechariah prophesies about the life of John and God's salvation Luke 4:1Jesus Christ is full of the Holy Spirit See also Luke 10:21John 3:34 Acts 10:38 Acts 1:5; 2:4; 10:47 NT terminology Ephesians 5:18While 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 Acts 2:4The present tense of the verb implies the need to be regularly filled and re-filled with the Spirit. See also "Filled with the Spirit": a conscious experience of God's power Acts 4:31; 9:17Acts 6:3-5 See also "Full of the Spirit": a consistent quality of Christian character Acts 11:24; 13:52Acts 4:8 "Filled with the Spirit": the inspiration to speak words of witness, challenge or rebuke Acts 7:55Peter testifying before the Sanhedrin Acts 13:9Stephen testifying to the Sanhedrin, seeing the glory of God Paul rebuking Elymas Romans 8:4-6Characteristics of the Spirit-filled life See also The Spirit of Christ should rule believers' lives Galatians 5:16,25Romans 15:13 2 Corinthians 6:6 The Spirit produces fruit of Christlike character Galatians 5:22-23Romans 7:6 See also The Spirit brings liberty 2 Corinthians 3:17Galatians 5:1 Acts 2:4 See also Being filled with the Spirit often leads to words of praise Acts 4:31; 10:44-46; 19:6Ephesians 5:18-20 Exodus 31:3; 35:31 Characteristics linked with the fulness of the Spirit Skill: Deuteronomy 34:9 fnActs 6:3 Wisdom: Luke 10:21Acts 13:52 Joy: Acts 6:5; 11:24See also Faith: 3030 Holy Spirit, power3218 Holy Spirit & praise 3242 Holy Spirit, baptism with 3254 Holy Spirit, fruit of 3257 Holy Spirit, gift of 3278 Holy Spirit, indwelling 3293 Holy Spirit, witness of 4018 life, spiritual 5452 power 6744 sanctification 8144 renewal 8453 obedience |
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