The Filling Of The Spirit Series

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THE CONDITION

The filling of the Spirit is mentioned 14 times in Luke’s writings:

“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth” (Luke 1:15).

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41).

His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied (Luke 1:67).

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert (Luke 4:1).

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4).

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!” (Acts 4:8).

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31).

“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them” (Acts 6:3).

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5).

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, 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” (Acts 9:17).

[Barnabas] was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord (Acts 11:24).

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:9-10).

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

THE COMMAND

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

1. “Be filled” is in the IMPERATIVE mood; it’s not OPTIONAL.

To be filled with the Spirit is not a suggestion, recommendation, or piece of advice; it’s a command.

None of us are to get drunk on wine; all of us are to be filled with the Spirit. What is worse: going to church drunk or going to church without being filled with the Spirit?

2. “Be filled” is in the PLURAL form; it’s for EVERYONE.

3. “Be filled” is in the PASSIVE voice; it’s accomplished by the SPIRIT.

4. “Be filled” is in the PRESENT tense; it’s a CONTINUOUS need.

THE COMPARISON

Being “drunk on wine” vs. being “filled with the Spirit”:

· Both cause a person to come under an outside INFLUENCE.

Being filled with the Spirit does not mean receiving more of the Spirit; it means being filled with more of the Spirit’s control.

DUI – driving under the influence of alcohol.

LUI – living under the influence of the Spirit.

· But being filled with the Spirit is not spiritual INTOXICATION.

On the Day of Pentecost, when the believers were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues (Acts 2:4), some people thought they were drunk. “Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’” (Acts 2:13).

But most of the people realized that the believers were speaking intelligently. “Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?” (Acts 2:7-8).

A person who is drunk with wine is out of control, but a person who is filled with the Spirit is filled with self-control.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

THE CONSEQUENCES

Is speaking in tongues the indispensable sign of the filling of the Spirit? No. Tongues is only one of many spiritual gifts. (Does the Spirit give the gift of tongues today? We’ll talk about this briefly next week.)

What will happen when we are filled with the Spirit?

1. We will receive STRENGTH for service

2. We will develop CHRISTLIKE character

Being gifted by the Spirit is not the same as being filled with the Spirit.