FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 2:1-21
Text: Acts 2:4a
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Being filled with the Holy Spirit, or being full of the Holy Spirit, or being baptized by or in the Holy Spirit are phrases that mean different things to different people in the Christian community. This message is designed to deal with this matter from the Biblical perspective. Often these phrases are the focus of some theological applications that are not necessarily Biblical. Hopefully in this message these will be as carefully avoided as is possible.
That which makes the Christian life truly experiential, that which gives us the ability to live in this world with confidence, is that the essence of the Christian life is that the very life of God Himself is restored into human experience and we are equipped and empowered by the Hoy Spirit.
The Day of Pentecost, which is the historic event to which Acts 2 is in reference, was an annual festival, one of several in the Jewish calendar. In the Old Testament this is known as the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of First Fruits. It was like a Jewish Thanksgiving that came at the end of the barley harvest. In the
New Testament it became known as Pentecost because it is a Greek word referring to 50 days after the Passover. Jesus was crucified the day before the Passover. Seven weeks and one day after Easter Sunday came the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. This was the day the Holy Spirit was poured out and made available to every person who recognized that Jesus had died for their sins, was raised again for their redemption, confessed their sins, and placed their trust and confidence in and reliance upon Him.
When we read the rest of Acts 2, we notice immediately there were outward phenomena that took place as the Holy Spirit came upon that band of 120 believers gathered in the Upper Room. There was a sound like a rushing, mighty wind. There was also that which appeared like flames of fire upon each of them. Finally each of them went out into Jerusalem and proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ in at least 15 different languages. Each of these phenomena could occupy an entire sermon, but this message deals with only the next statement: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” The rest of the story goes on to describe the impact on the city of Jerusalem, the neighboring areas of Judea and Samaria, and the rest of the world.
I heard a story about a grandmother who had been in a conversation with her four-year old granddaughter. They were talking about God. The little girl asked her grandmother: “Is God lonely?” The grandmother tried to gather some profound thoughts together and form an answer the child could easily grasp. The little girl quickly answered her own question. “Well, I know He has a Son, and He has that bird He sends down on people.” She was referring of course, to the day when Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit, in the form of a “dove” descended upon Him. The “dove” has become the symbol of the Holy Spirit. He is a Person, and is the subject of this message. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
What does it mean “to be filled with the Holy Spirit?” Jesus had told His disciples that the Holy Spirit was with them but that He would come to fill them. Now everyone who is a born again Christian has the Holy Spirit. But being “filled” with the Holy Spirit is quite another thing. It is when the Holy Spirit has all there is of a person that He then dominates the personality and determines the behavior of the individual. That is what it means to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
It is one thing to “have” the Holy Spirit, and it is quite another thing to be “filled” with the Holy Spirit. The Bible is clear that when a person is born again, he or she has the Holy Spirit. Hear the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:9 where he says: “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” It is possible to have received the Holy Spirit and walked as a Christian for many years, but it is quite another thing to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” and live in the fullness of His power and grace, as He dominates the personality and determines the behavior.
This phrase, “filled with the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Spirit” occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Fourteen of them are found in either the Gospel of Luke or in the Book of Acts, both written by Luke, the historian, the observer. Four of these are before the Day of Pentecost as Dr. Luke records about John the Baptist being “filled with the Holy Spirit” in his mother’s womb, and also his mother Elizabeth was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke states also that Zacharias, father of John the Baptist was “filled with the Holy Spirit,” and Jesus Himself was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” (See Luke 1:15, 41, 67; 4:1 for these references.) Those are the four references prior to Pentecost to being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” After Pentecost there are 11 times this phase occurs, 10 of them in the Book of Acts, and one of them in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. We know that Dr. Luke authored the Gospel bearing his name, as well as the Book of Acts. Luke then, is responsible for 14 of the 15 times that the phrase “filled with the Holy Spirit,” or a closely related phrases “full of the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Spirit” are found in the New Testament. It is this physician/historian, writing as an observer of things that were happening who was responsible to give to us the only valid explanation for what actually happened on the Day of Pentecost.
In the 10 occurrences in the Book of Acts that this term is used, there seem to be three different contexts in which it is used. They are related, but each gives to us an additional insight into what it means to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.” These three contexts suggest to us that “to be filled with the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Holy Spirit” is best understood as (1) a Crisis, (2) a Condition, and (3) a Continuation. It is the Apostle Paul who adds a fourth dimension, best understood as (4) a Command.
First, a Crisis. What is meant by the word “crisis” in reference to being “filled with the Holy Spirit?” Simply this: Something happened where, up to that time in the lives of the people that had not happened before. Further, it was a decisive, instantaneous, complete work of God’s grace whereby they were “filled with the Holy Spirit.” An example of this crisis aspect of being “filled with the Holy Spirit” is Acts 2:4, recounting the Upper Room experience of those who gathered there because of Jesus’ instruction.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus told His Disciples they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Then they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jesus then told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father. If they had tried to preach the Gospel before the empowerment by His Spirit, they would fail.
After 10 days, on the Day of Pentecost at 9 o’clock in the morning, the Holy Spirit came. As a result, Peter preached and 3,000 people placed their faith in Jesus Christ. But it was Peter who was different than before.
The crisis aspect of “being filled with the Holy Spirit” is the essential idea also of Acts 4:8, 4:31, and of Elizabeth and Zacharias in Acts 1:41 and 1:67, and their son John the Baptist, as noted in Luke 1:15. (future passive) It is the anticipation for Saul of Tarsus in the prayer of Ananias, Acts 9:17. And so for Saul of Tarsus it was a crisis moment when, as a result of his sins having been forgiven and his unreserved commitment to Jesus, the Holy Spirit came in His fullness and that man was never the same again.
In Acts 13:9 there is the reference to Paul that relates to that crisis moment in his life when he was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Quite literally this verse should be translated: “Then Saul, also called Paul, having been filled with the Holy Spirit” then confronted Elymas the sorcerer regarding his opposition and trickery. The emphasis in the verb form, an aorist passive participle, is a reference to that crisis moment, whenever it was in his life, at which time Paul had been “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
“Being filled with the Holy Spirit” is intended to be the normal state for Christians as they commit to Jesus Christ without reservation. We are to live in the fullness of the indwelling Spirit of God. When we are not, it is either because of not knowing and understanding, or perhaps because of disobedience and in some way we are then quenching and grieving and resisting the Holy Spirit. Yes, it is initially a crisis experience.
Second, a Condition. There are four references in the Book of Acts and one in the Gospel of Luke that speak about people being full of the Holy Spirit as a result of the crisis moment. In each instance the word is an adjective that tells us something about the person or persons.
In Acts 6 we read about the early Church being so aggressive and dynamic that the growth caused the leaders to ask for help. The qualifications were: “… men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom.” (Acts 6:3) The recommendation met with good approval, and the first one chosen was “Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5) In this context the Deacons as we know them, were known to be “full of the Holy Spirit.” If you bump into them on Wednesday, they are full of the Holy Spirit. If you see them at their job on Tuesday, they are full of the Holy Spirit. If they come into Church on Sunday and sit by you, you know they are full of the Holy Spirit. It is a condition of life. It is not just “were you filled with the Holy Spirit last Thursday?” No, it is a consistent condition.
This condition is also the character of the first martyr of the Church, Stephen. The record of his martyrdom states: “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up into heaven.” (Acts 7:55) This testimony is also true of Barnabas, as recorded in Scripture: “Barnabas … was a
good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” (Acts 11:24)
Dr. Luke carefully informs the whole world that the Lord Jesus Christ, when He was to go through the temptation in the wilderness was “full of the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 4:1)
But for the Apostles and all who were “filled with the Holy Spirit” on the Day of Pentecost, what was the characteristic of that condition? We need to know about the content of the heart when one is “filled with the Holy Spirit,” for out of the heart reality is known!
This is made very clear in the Book of Acts in reference to what happened to the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost, when as the Bible says, “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Peter, testified to what happened deep within them in that crisis moment: “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them, by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us. He made no difference between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:8-9)
It is notable that Peter made no reference to the sound of a rushing, mighty wind, nor to what looked like tongues of fire on each of them, nor to speaking in other languages. His singular evidential report is that the result of the crisis is a clean, pure heart.
Third, a Continuation. That which began in a crisis moment and became evident as a condition or life-style of the people, was also a continuing experience. There are several instances in the Book of Acts that people like Peter and Paul and Barnabas and Stephen who are already described as having been “filled with the Holy Spirit,” or ”being full of the Holy Spirit” were in a situation where their backs were to the wall, as it were. They responded to their situations as evidence of the fact that the crisis infilling that had become a condition of their lives was now being continued.
Please return to Acts 4:8 where we find “Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit” began to speak to the rulers, elders, and scribes in Jerusalem. Here is true continuation.
This same continuation of the crisis moment and the beautiful life style condition that was so characteristic of the triumphant Christian life can be found throughout the New Testament. It was true of Peter, James, John, Paul, Stephen, Barnabas, and all the Apostles of our Lord. For we note in Luke’s account of the church’s state at the time Paul preached in Antioch of Pisidia: “And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52)
The continuation is clearly emphasized by the verb tense form that Luke uses in this verse. The verb, ejplhrou'nto is in the tense form that calls for the word to be translated as “And the disciples were continually being filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” One may want to re-emphasize the reference in Acts 13:9 that underscores the fact that Paul, having been filled with the Holy Spirit (a crisis) was still “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Yes, it is a continuation.
Fourth, a Command. If in the Book of Acts being “filled with the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Holy Spirit” is first a crisis that results in a condition, and then a continuation of both the crisis and condition, in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians it is a command to be obeyed. Here is the only imperative form of Greek verbs used or “being filled” or “being full” of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote carefully:
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. And do not become drunk with wine in which is reckless living, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:17-18)
In verse 18 Paul gives two commands from the Lord. First “do not become drunk with wine,” and second “be filled with the Spirit.”
It is always necessary to read and interpret Scripture in its context. Paul wasn’t writing a series of verses but rather, a letter to the people in Ephesus and surrounding churches.
In Chapter 1 Paul notes: “… when you believed you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” (v 13)
In Chapter 2 he notes: “... you are being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.” (v 22)
In Chapter 3 he prays that we may “be strengthen with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” (v 16)
In Chapter 4 Paul warns “and don’t grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed you for the day of redemption.” (v 30)
In Chapter 6 Paul exhorts: “Pray at all times in the Spirit.” (v 18)
So in Chapter 1 we are “sealed with the Spirit.” In Chapter 2 we are “indwelt by the Spirit.” In Chapter 3 we are “empowered by the Spirit.” In Chapter 4 we must “not grieve the Spirit.” In Chapter 6 we are to “pray in the Spirit.” And yet in Chapter 5 Paul commands that we are to “continually be being filled with the Holy Spirit.” What does this mean?
The first question should be: “What being filled with the Holy Spirit does not mean?” For one thing it does not mean receiving more of the Holy Spirit than we had before. The Holy Spirit cannot be divided up into parts. He is a Person … a Divine Person. The Holy Spirit indwells the heart of every believer in Christ. Some people actually pray for more of the Holy Spirit. I think we can understand the sentiment behind that prayer, but it is not Scriptural. The Apostle Paul wrote:
“Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you?, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
It is not more of the Holy Spirit we need; it is to let the Holy Spirit have ALL of our life! That is what Paul is praying for in the Ephesian command.
For another thing, sometimes people think and actually pray that they would be emptied of self so that the Holy Spirit can fill them. It is not self that needs to be removed. It is selfishness or self-centeredness that must go. It is the “unholiness” that dominates one’s heart and mind and determines one’s behavior that must go! So, what does it mean to “be filled with the Holy Spirit?” The clue lies in the Scriptures. In the Book of Acts the word “filled” is used in a number of other contexts as well.
Acts 2:43 – “Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”
Acts 3:10 – When a man was healed at the Temple Gate, the Bible says: “When all the people saw … they were filled with wonder and amazement…”
Acts 5:17 – The Sadducees, observing the impact the Apostles were having on the whole city “were filled with jealousy.”
Acts 13:45 – The Jews in Antioch of Pisidia, when they saw the crowds of people drawn to Paul’s preaching “were filled with jealousy.”
Acts 16:34 – The Philippian jailer, having come to faith in Jesus, was “filled with joy.”
Being filled with awe, wonder, amazement, jealousy, and joy … does not mean they were “emptied” of everything else. It means that being “filled” with awe, wonder, amazement, jealousy, or joy, these expressions dominated their personalities and determined their behavior. So, being “filled with the Holy Spirit” means that He dominates our personality and determines our behavior because the whole life is unreservedly surrendered to Him. Of course the whole of the Triune God is meant by that statement. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that he was praying that they might “be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)
So, how does one know he or she is “filled with the Holy Spirit?” We return to Paul’s two commands in Ephesians 5:18. Why, one may ask, did Paul suddenly command that we are not to be drunk with wine, and then command us to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
It make sense to note that Paul’s use of being drunk with wine illustrates what it is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Remember back in Acts 2 that on the Day of Pentecost the first accusation of the behavior of the Apostles was that they were drunk with new wine. So strong was that indictment that Peter stood up to preach and said: “These people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it only nine in the morning.” (Acts 2:15)
So now Paul says: “Don’t get drunk; be filled with the Holy Spirit.” A drunk person has enough intoxication liquor to dominate the personality and determine the behavior. How do you know when or if a person is drunk? There are three evidences:
Their walk, their talk, and their smell!”
Observing a person who is drunk, stability in walking is probably lacking, speech is usually slurred, and the smell is always disgusting. Walk, Talk, and Smell!
These evidences can be noted in a person filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul used the word “walk” five times in the Ephesian letter to characterize how we live in evidence of being “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said: “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” It is interesting to note that in the Book of Acts, something happened to the “mouth” when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
You can tell a drunk person by the smell. But what about a “Spirit-filled” Christian? Paul wrote: “Thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.” (2 Cor. 2:14)
“Being filled with the Holy Spirit” means that He dominates our personality and determines our behavior; He is in full control in the heart out of which proceeds what is the essence of the life.
There it is then, “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The crisis produces something new in the person.
The condition produced is a clean, pure heart.
The continuation is evident in triumphant living.
The command is to “be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.
*This message was written by my mentor, Dr. Bob Morris. Preached by me.*
