Dictionary of Bible Themes: 3251 Holy Spirit, filling with

3251 Holy Spirit, filling with

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 3000 Holy Spirit » 3200 Holy Spirit, ministry and work of » 3203 Holy Spirit, and assurance » 3251 Holy Spirit, filling with

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.

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

In the OT

Exodus 31:3 Bezalel filled with the Spirit for artwork on the tabernacle; Deuteronomy 34:9 fn Joshua filled with the Spirit to succeed Moses

In the events surrounding the birth of John the Baptist

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

Jesus Christ is full of the Holy Spirit

Luke 4:1 See also Luke 10:21; John 3:34; Acts 10:38

NT terminology

Acts 1:5; Acts 2:4; Acts 10:47 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

Ephesians 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 See also Acts 4:31; Acts 9:17

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

Acts 6:3-5 See also Acts 11:24; Acts 13:52

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

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

Characteristics of the Spirit-filled life

The Spirit of Christ should rule believers' lives

Romans 8:4-6 See also Galatians 5:16,25

The Spirit produces fruit of Christlike character

Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22-23

The Spirit brings liberty

Being filled with the Spirit often leads to words of praise

Characteristics linked with the fulness of the Spirit

Skill:

Exodus 31:3; Exodus 35:31

Wisdom:

Deuteronomy 34:9 fn; Acts 6:3

Joy:

Luke 10:21; Acts 13:52

Faith:

Acts 6:5; Acts 11:24