The Filling of the Holy Spirit

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Point 1: The Filling of the Holy Spirit is distinct from Salvation

1. The Disciples first received the Holy Spirit at Salvation after the resurrection of Jesus yet prior to His ascension into Heaven:

John 20:22 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

Question: Some believe that this was a prophetic action by Jesus where He was “prophesying” that on the Day of Pentecost the Disciples would be Filled with the Holy Spirit. The Greek language does not indicate such a view but in fact the opposite. In short, the Disciples did receive the Spirit in them (the Indwelling) for regenerative purposes (Salvation). According to the Life in the Spirit study Bible, the following commentary is given on this verse: “The phrase, ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost’ establishes that the Spirit, at that historiucal moment iun time, entered and began to live in the disciples. The verb form for ‘receive’ is aorist imperative (Gk labete, from the word lambane), denoting a single act of reception. The Holy Spirit was given to regenerate them, to make them new creatures in Christ…” (Page 1646 of the Life in the Spirit study Bible). Please take a few moments to write down in your own words what it means to be a new creature in Christ:

2. The same Disciple received the Holy Spirit a second time on the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Question: Have you received the Holy Spirit a second time, just as the disciples did? If so, please write below how that happened and what took place. If this has not yet happened, please write below your desire to be filled and why you want to be filled:

c) Biblical examples of a Second Reception of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 8:14-17 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 9:1-6; 17 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round abouthim a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do…And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

Point 2: The Filling of the Holy Spirit is a Promise to each Born Again Believer:

Luke 24:49 “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Question: If you have received the Filling of the Spirit already, are you willing to receive a fresh filling again, even at the conclusion of this study? . If you have not yet received the filling of the Holy Spirit, are you willing to “tarry” and allow God to fill every area of your life, even at the end of this study? .

Point 3: The Filling of the Holy Spirit is a command to each Born Again Believer

Ephesians 5:18 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”

Question: The statement, “be” filled is a positive command, directing you to “be” filled. God doesn’t want us to say we “were” filled or “will be” filled; instead, He asks that we “be” filled in the here and now. The Holy Spirit seeks to constantly bring the Presence and Power of Jesus into our lives so that we’re not only Born Again but also powerful witnesses of the Good News, with signs, wonders and miracles following. Many today wrongly believe that once you are filled with the Spirit and speak in tongues, that “that’s it”. How wrong to believe this! God desires to fill you every moment of every day! Are you willing to surrender yourself at the end of this study to the ongoing, present, powerful and never ending filling of the Holy Spirit?

Point 4: What it looked like when the Filling of the Holy Spirit was first given to the Early Church:

Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

1- The Disciples were in _______ accord and in one place

2- They experienced a ____________ from heaven as of a ________________________________________

3- It filled the ________________place where they were sitting

4- There appeared cloven tongues ________________ fire

5- It ________________________ each of them

6- They were all __________________________

7- And began to __________________________ as the Spirit gave them utterance

Acts 10:44-48 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is called a g _ _ _. Do people earn gifts? . Because receiving the filling of the Holy Spirit is called and is a gift, the Gift Giver, our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ the Son of God, are more than willing to fill you with the Holy Spirit! Describe what it felt like the first time someone gave you a gift that you knew was given to you in love and without condition:

Acts 19:1-6 “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

Question: In addition to speaking in tongues, what other manifestation took place in the above passage?

. This shows that speaking in tongues, while it may be one of the manifestations of being filled with the Spirit, is not the exclusive (only) gift that He gives when filling His people with His Holy Spirit. The Lord will manifest His Spirit through you in any manifestation of His Gifts that He so desires. What a tragedy to limit the unlimited God to one gift when He’s given to us many! Are you willing to allow God to decide what gift or gifts to manifest through you when He fills you with His Spirit?: ___

Point 5: As we submit to the Lord on a daily basis, The Filling of the Holy Spirit initially received will daily manifest itself in the following: (not exhaustive)

1. Power to Witness:

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Question: Have you ever saw someone share the Gospel and they seemed to have no power or life in their presentation?:

. Have you ever seen someone share the Gospel and you knew that the person sharing had a power with God that was clearly evident?: . The Filling of the Spirit gives power to see people come under conviction of sin.

2. Boldness:

Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness”

Question: Notice that “they” had prayed. Churches that come together to pray will be filled with the Spirit if they come together with great expectation! When this happens, you will speak the Word of God with . Does your church come together and pray often? . If so, describe a time that God fell by His Spirit in your service and the impact it had on your life:

3. Praise and Worship:

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

Question: Have you ever sang in the Spirit, either in tongues or in your own language? If yes, describe the experience. If no, will you surrender your tongue to the Lord for this purpose?:

4. Thanksgiving:

Ephesians 5:20 “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Interactive: Some people today who say that they’re filled with the Holy Spirit are always complaining; they aren’t thankful for “all” things. Being filled with the Spirit will cause you to have a burning passion to be thankful in _ _ _ things. Please explain a time when everything around you seemed to be against you and yet you knew that you knew that God was in control and you had peace and were thankful:

5. Godly Submission to one another in the Fear of God:

Ephesians 5: 21 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

Interaction: The difference between submission and control is that submission is voluntary while control is by force. For example, if someone tells you that you “must” believe certain things, that is control. The Lord Himself says “choose” life or death. Submission is when you see that what is being presented is truth and will transform your life. True submission is in the

_ _ _ _ of _ _ _ and not the fear of man. Being filled the Holy Spirit will cause you to submit to your leaders as well as brothers and sisters in the church even when your own desires want them to submit to you. Submissive humility if the mark of a Spirit filled Believer.

6. Family Unity:

Ephesians 5:22-25 “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”

Interaction: For those of you who are married, in particular wives, submission to your husband is not in doing any wicked things or ungodly things asked of you, but instead a Spirit filled woman is one who submits by praying for, helping, supporting and coming alongside of her husband. We husbands want to believe we’re “worthy” of your submission but we often fall short; it’s at this time that your godly submission is needed most.

Point 6: How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit

1. Forsake and Confess all known sin:

Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

Reflection: Take 10 minutes to sit quietly before the Lord and ask Him for cleansing from all known sin and un-surrender in your life.

2. Believe that God delights in your asking Him for the Filling of His Holy Spirit:

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Reflection: Don’t try to “get more faith” or “work up” your faith; God uses faith the size of a tiny mustard seed… not much is needed! Take 5 minutes as a group to begin to thank the Lord for the promiuse of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

3. Ask, believing and knowing that it is the Father’s Good Will and Pleasure to Fill you with His Holy Spirit:

Luke 11:11-13 “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

Reflection: Will God give to you anything at all other than what He promises? No! Therefore, you can be confidant that God is for you and not against you! He WANTS to fill you with the Holy Spirit.

4. Receive the promise of God to Fill you with His Holy Spirit by Faith:

Luke 11:9-10 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Prayer: Whether you’ve received the Filling of the Holy Spirit in the past or have not yet received the Filling, take time now to call on the Lord Jesus to fill you with His Spirit, asking Him to not only Fill you but to reveal to you how to be Filled with His Spirit on a moment by moment basis in a never ending flow of His Presence and Power.