How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?

[Chad]

How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?

An important verse in understanding the filling of the Holy Spirit is John 14:16, where Jesus promised the Spirit would indwell believers and that the indwelling would be permanent. It is important to distinguish the indwelling from the filling of the Spirit. The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is not for a select few believers, but for all believers. There are a number of references in Scripture that support this conclusion. First, the Holy Spirit is a gift given to all believers in Jesus without exception, and no conditions are placed upon this gift except faith in Christ (John 7:37-39). Second, the Holy Spirit is given at the moment of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). Galatians 3:2 emphasizes this same truth, saying that the sealing and indwelling of the Spirit took place at the time of believing. Third, the Holy Spirit indwells believers permanently. The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a down payment, or verification of their future glorification in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30).

This is in contrast to the filling of the Spirit referred to in Ephesians 5:18. We should be so completely yielded to the Holy Spirit that He can possess us fully and, in that sense, fill us. Romans 8:9 and Ephesians 1:13-14 states that He dwells within every believer, but He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30), and His activity within us can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19). When we allow this to happen, we do not experience the fullness of the Spirit's working and His power in and through us. To be filled with the Spirit implies freedom for Him to occupy every part of our lives, guiding and controlling us. Then His power can be exerted through us so that what we do is fruitful to God. The filling of the Spirit does not apply to outward acts alone; it also applies to the innermost thoughts and motives of our actions. Psalm 19:14 says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Sin is what hinders the filling of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to God is how the filling of the Spirit is maintained. Ephesians 5:18 commands that we be filled with the Spirit; however, it is not praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling. Only our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. Because we are still infected with sin, it is impossible to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. When we sin, we should immediately confess it to God and renew our commitment to being Spirit-filled and Spirit-led.

article: gotquestions.org

 

[SpiritLedEd]

it is not praying for the filling of the Holy Spirit that accomplishes the filling. Only our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us.

I agree up to a point. Yes, the Spirit was at work in me my whole life, but, His work was limited for years because I had not completely surrendered my will to Him. Only when I had grown as a born again believer to the point where I lusted for His gifts was my infilling finalized.

SLE

 

[Trisha]

Chad you are talking of surrendering all and walking in obedience and I agree with you on everything you said.

Where I have the problem is people saying that the evidence of being filled with the Spirit is speaking in tongues. Why would that be the evidence today just because that is the way God chose to work as he did in some cases in Acts? And why do we need evidence anyway? Do we need to prove it to others or to ourselves? Wouldn't the individual know themselves when they were filled with the Spirit without any outward evidence?

SLE can the filling really ever be finalized? Can your "tank" be filled and stay filled forever? I think we need fresh "refueling" constantly. I don't think it is a one time thing.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

SLE can the filling really ever be finalized? Can your "tank" be filled and stay filled forever? I think we need fresh "refueling" constantly. I don't think it is a one time thing.

Good question, Trisha. Eph 5:18 tells us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is an ongoing thing. Same as keeping the gas tank filled on an automobile, my relationship with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is day-to-day, not a one time event.

SLE

 

[jari]

your mixing two concepts here. having holy spirit and being filled with holy spirit. (it says that in the article as well which chad posted, that believers have holy spirit permanently indwelling them)

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

it's possible to even grieve holy spirit because we are sealed until to day of redemption:

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

We come to God(actually he came to us,but we see it backward) by giving him a room in our house like the woman who had a little upper room built for Elijah.Then the Holy Spirit begins going from room to room turning on the lights and exposing those things which are inappropriate for sons of God.
One floor at a time the lights are restored and error exposed and then clean up crews are called in.

When the whole building is filled with light then the family of God can reside in the building and they go out into the neighborhood and find long abandoned buildings and see if they will give us a room in their house and like Rahab saved her family by allowing the spies in one house of the city.Pretty soon the whole neighborhood is lit and the Sons of God go to the city gates to see if anyone will give them a single seat in the board room and well you can see how this thing can get out of control and spread like fire.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

John 14:20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

John 14:3"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

Jesus is "that Day" that lights and prepares the place he is making for you so The Father and he can make their abode in the fathers new house.

So you(we) are(I Am) the place that Jesus went to prepare for you(we/us).

John 14:5"No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"
John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

We are to be not only filled but filled to overflowing as scripture has it:
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 

[bgsda]

Thiscross i ask myself sometimes, forgive me , like what in the world you be saying sometimes. You have to be careful in reading into something too mich. Like when Jesus asked the Samaritan for some water, He was really thirsty, not some spiritual craziness. Be careful not to make and preach another gospel.

We Christians today want to be filled w/ the Holy Spirit. What are we asking for. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and look how they all ended up dying very fast, persecuted badly. Think about it, being filled w/the presence of Christ. Are we ready, we dont know what we ask for. Will not the devil throw evrything at tje person who is filled.

 

[B-A-C]

Boy, we always tend to get off on the thin ice subjects here.

Rom 8:1-16 talks about the Spirit dwelling in us. It seems every Christian receives the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation.
In fact, Rom 8:9 says if we don't have the Holy Spirit, then we don't belong to Christ.
Rom 8:15 says the sons of God are lead by the Spirit.
Rom 8:16 says the Spirit testifies that we are children of God.

So this brings up a number of questions.
Luke 11:13 says we need to ask for the Holy Spirit, well if we receive it at salvation, why do we need to ask for it?
Because it isn't a one time thing.
Eph 5:18 says be filled with the Spirit, not drunk with wine. I think wine is a fitting metaphor here. A drunk doesn't stay drunk on one bottle of wine, but is constantly being re-filled every chance he gets.
In fact Titus 3:5 says we need a continual washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
As Chad mentioned in the first post of this thread, we can grieve the Holy Spirit, when this happens, we need to renew a right spirit within us. (Psalms 51:10 )

Ok, so what about Acts chapter 2. When the whole church was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues?
Well many believe this was because the Holy Spirit wasn't on the earth before this time (or at least while Jesus was on the earth). John 7:39;
John 16:7 says the Holy Spirit couldn't come while Jesus was on the earth.
So many believe the filling at pentecost (Acts 2) to be the initial pouring out of the Spirit upon the church for the first time.

Some churches still preach even today that you must speak in tongues at least once, or can't be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Some also preach there are two types of being filled with the Holy Spirit, there is the Holy Spirit you get at salvation, and another Holy Spirit you get when you speak in tongues.
Some churches call this being baptized in the spirit. As for me, I see no verse that says you must speak in tongues to have the Holy Spirit.
I believe it sometimes can and does happen this way, but it's not a requirement to be filled this way. Saying it does is adding something to scripture that simply isn't in the Bible. Interestingly enough, even though in Acts 2 it says other races of people could understand those in the upper room speaking in their own native tongues, (in a language understood by those of that race) many of these churches now leave that part out, and say
any language (even a non-earthly language) will do. I think if you are going to build a doctrine on a couple of verses, you should at least use
the entire verse, not half of it. Also Acts 2:3 mentions a physical manifestation of something that is fire or something that looks like fire resting
on their heads.
In Acts 19:2-6 We see that Paul expected them to receive the Holy Spirit when they "first believed", but they weren't aware there even was a Holy Spirit, it may be that all believers of this time went through something similar. (as we saw above the Holy Spirit wasn't on the earth while Jesus was).

Keep in mind, the Father is in heaven, so is Jesus. That leaves the Holy Spirit here on earth.
The Holy Spirit is our source of power. Acts 1:8; Acts 6:8; Eph 3:16; Zec 4:6
1 Cor 2:4 says the kingdom of God is not in mere words, but in the Spirit and in Power.

footnote: The one exception was John the Baptist. Luke 1:15
We see that his mother Elizabeth and his father Zacharias were also briefly filled before Jesus' birth Luke 1:41; Luke 1:67

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Thiscross i ask myself sometimes, forgive me , like what in the world you be saying sometimes.

Hey no problem brother,it probably wasn't written for you.

You have to be careful in reading into something too mich. Like when Jesus asked the Samaritan for some water, He was really thirsty, not some spiritual craziness. Be careful not to make and preach another gospel.

Spiritual craziness is fun,you should try it sometime,I call it "faith like a child".
I could teach for hours on the woman at the well.

We Christians today want to be filled w/ the Holy Spirit. What are we asking for. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and look how they all ended up dying very fast, persecuted badly. Think about it, being filled w/the presence of Christ. Are we ready, we dont know what we ask for. Will not the devil throw evrything at tje person who is filled.

I agree,in fact that person would probably feel punished, afflicted and sometimes even abandoned by the God he adores so much.In fact he may come off a little strange to people with average enemies.In order to survive the beatings he would probably have to adapt the attitude that the beatings are for making him perfect.

 

[B-A-C]

We Christians today want to be filled w/ the Holy Spirit. What are we asking for. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and look how they all ended up dying very fast, persecuted badly. Think about it, being filled w/the presence of Christ. Are we ready, we dont know what we ask for. Will not the devil throw evrything at tje person who is filled.

Satan throws things against us everyday, whether we are "filled" with the Holy Spirit or not.
If the Holy Spirit is our source of power, why would you NOT want it?

 

[bgsda]

Hello everyone. To thiscross, im just trying to be helpful because as the Holy Spirit wrote in 2Pet 3:15,16, the Scriptures are alot of times twisted sometimes.
To B.A.C its not that i dont want it, its that it gets thrown aroind to much by , lets say fake christians. You would know someone FILLED by the Holy Spirit cause they would be goimg thru hell and back. Everyone that I read about in the Bible and also out of the Bible(Reformation Era) all were persecuted, hanged, sawed in half, burnt, etc. Put it like this, this world will hate you if you were really filled. I dont mean like, oh i ran out of milk kinda persecuted, i mean trying to destroy you and hurt you persecuted. Look at Jesus life or John the Baptist or disciples or Martin Lither, Wyclife, Huss, etc.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

In Acts 19:2-6 We see that Paul expected them to receive the Holy Spirit when they "first believed", but they weren't aware there even was a Holy Spirit, it may be that all believers of this time went through something similar. (as we saw above the Holy Spirit wasn't on the earth while Jesus was.

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

"And the power of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) was present for him to heal." (Lk 5:17)

The Spirit was on earth when Jesus was on earth. He just wasn't going to come on the disciples until after Jesus' resurrection.

SLE

 

[B-A-C]

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

"And the power of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) was present for him to heal." (Lk 5:17)

The Spirit was on earth when Jesus was on earth. He just wasn't going to come on the disciples until after Jesus' resurrection.

SLE

Yes, of course Jesus had the Holy Spirit, (and John the Baptist) but Holy Spirit wasn't given to the church yet.

 

[bgsda]

Hi BAC to ur last reply the Holy Spirit been working ever since the creation. Read 2Pet 1:21. And many other Scripturesi

 

[David777]

Hi BAC to ur last reply the Holy Spirit been working ever since the creation. Read 2Pet 1:21. And many other Scripturesi

Luke 3:16
John answered and said to them all,
“As for me, I baptize you with water;
but One is coming who is mightier than I,
and I am not fit to untie the thong
of His sandals; He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and fire.

 

[B-A-C]

Hi BAC to ur last reply the Holy Spirit been working ever since the creation. Read 2Pet 1:21. And many other Scripturesi

I mis-spoke earlier. I apologize. The Holy Spirit was indeed around, what I meant to say was, the Spirit wasn't given to the church yet.
Of course Jesus, John the Baptist, and a few specific people in the Old Testament did things by the Holy Spirit.

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Joh 7:39 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.

Joh 16:7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

 

[bgsda]

The Bible saus and I believe that the Holy Spirit did want to be poured out on His chosen people back then, but they were very rebellious. Look how many didnt make it to the promised land. When Christ came He still was looking for Israel to be His people(John4), w/the Samaritan woman. Christ said "salvation is of the Jews". But once ahain what happened, they crucified Him.

I believe its in Luke the parable of the Landowner who goes to a far land, sends His servants and they beat one, beat, another, then another, and finally He sends His Son thinking they wouldnt do the same but they killed Him. Then it says He will give IT(INHERITANCE) to someome else, hence we are that someone else(spiritual Israel).

It was only after the death of Stephen the deacon in Acts 7 or 8 that they finally gave up on the Jews and when the transition went about. But see the Lord wanted to pour out His Spirit on the Jews, rebellion stood in the way. If we rebel today how can we say we are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is part of the Godhead, how can we while crucifying the Lord in our sins daily have the Holy Spirits fullness within us. Disciples when they had the Holy Spirit poured oit were all in ONE ACCORD, are we. They weere all living up to the light that was giving to them, are we?

 

[Onyii3514]

How to be SAVED or BORN AGAIN. God made man to be at the head of His creation, to have contraol an dominion. Gen.1:26-28; Ps.8:6. However, man disobeyed God and sold out to the devil, who was in the form of the serpent. Gen.3. This is the origin of Sin, which we inherited as the descendants of Adam. Rom.3:23;5:12.

The consequence of sin is death; loss of fellowship with. and eternal separation from God. However, God intervened and sent His Son - Jesus Christ, to pay the price of sin and redemption of mankind. Rom.6:23.

Start a Relationship with God: 1. Realise that you are a sinner by virtue of your first birth - Ps.51;5,Rom.3:23,5:12. 2.Know that you cannot SAVE yourself. Rom.3:20,10:Gal. 2:16. 3. Accept the Gospel and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour. Rom.10:8-10. 4. Repent of your sins. Say this prayer / confession: Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins now. Jesus, I believe you died for my sins on the cross of calvary and that you were raised from the dead to justify me. I confess you as my Lord and personal Saviour. I am born again [life I now live, I live in Christ]. I am a child of God.

Assurance of Salvation: The WORD of God, the Holy Bible, assures you of your salvation - Rom.10:9-10. ou became a new creation when you recieve Jesus Christ into your heart as your Lord and personal Saviour. In order words, you become born again - all in Faith. 1. You have recieved eternal life:1John 5:11-13. 2. You have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart, which confirms that you are now a child of God, endowed with the Spirit of God. - Rom.8:15-16


NOTE: If a believer commits sin after the new birth, his fellowship with God is temprarily broken. If you acknowledge and confess your sin. Your fellowship will be immediately restored - 1 John 1:9; James 5:13-16.

 

[Brighthouse]

All of you as usual have made some very nice points here!! I have found that when we look to blame another for our own lack, as i myself used to very much do! B _ LAME!! I was being lame!! LOL So from all we have spoken here,how can we know for sure, we are paying attention to Holy Spirit in our own lives? Enter John 16:13!! Holy Spirit speaks only from his very own nature,never OF flesh,but rather FOR it! Everytime we speak to somone, is our mind searching for our own words? Or are we searching for what the other person truly wants and needs?

A word from Holy Spirit in us. When we entertain these thoughts, the result is always then colossians 4:6! because from the words that comes out of our mouths,many times suprising ourselfs!! We see Jesus moving by his very love,and truth which sets all who hear that truth most free! Now this takes time,and discipline! TIME!!! Most of all! While many are spending there time in the malt shop.Those who desire very much to be used by God,spend there time with him! And from the time we do spend,we bear the fruit thereof,some 30,50,and 100 fold. But this all depends upon how imporatant God is in your own life!!

And only each of us, can ever answer that.But from each of our answers, we have the fruit from it. So when i used to point at others for my own lack,or from being lame,I understood why i was so lame,it was because I was so lazy. Most of you here, are not that way as I was! You have been far smarter then I!! I had to take responsibility for my own actions,I had to do this first,so that I could establish the grace by God for me,so he in turn could give this to all of you.

Believing brothers and sisters is doing!( James 1:22) And doing is the result from the confidence we now have through our Jesus who truly lives within each one of us!( 2 cor 1:12) please do read all of this chapter! For from our confidence in Christ Jesus we become established in Christ Jesus!! verses 20-24!!!) May these words granted unto me by Holy Spirit in me,lift us all up,and build us unto the rock Jesus himself established in each one of us! The ROCK that does not roll!! Our Lord Jesus! amen!

 

[macca]

As someone, who has spoken in "tongues" for over 20 years now, I am always surprised at some of the suggestions given on the topic of being Spirit filled and tongues.
It wasn't until after acts 2, that the disciples went out in power and performed miracles, prior to this they were locked behind closed doors in fear; after this they went out and performed miracles and saw many saved by this power they received. Wouldn't it be beneficial if all Christians received this power as well?
After Holy Spirit filled each one of them, they spoke in other tongues (Acts 2: 4); in this particular case it was tongues for unbelievers (1 Cor 14: 22); which is one of several purposes of tongues that Paul teaches on (1 Cor 12- 14).
Paul teaches of praying in tongues (1 Cor 14: 15) which is not for public interpretation but for personal building up (Eph 6: 18) and building up of others (Jude 20).
He also refers to speaking in unknown language, with an interpretation (1Cor 12: 10c); each of these is a different operation of gifts of Holy Spirit.
Now I understand that much of this is not the main topic of the thread, but, I was taught that speaking in tongues is the "initial evidence" of infilling of Holy Spirit, also known as "baptism of Holy Spirit"; recorded, in acts 2; acts 10: 44ff; and acts 19: 6, which was praising God and prophesying.
Every person who receives Jesus as Saviour has a seal of Holy Spirit (Eph 1: 13) mentioned several times previously; if it is only a seal we receive, then there is more, and this "more" is the infilling or baptism in Holy Spirit.