Filled by the Holy Spirit
Summarized Sermons from Stanley Toussaint and 溫偉耀
Acts describes the filling by the Holy Spirit several times. Let’s see some common characteristics.
Acts 2 describes the sudden arrival of the Holy Spirit, filling at least the Apostles. People from different countries heard in their own languages the Apostles declaring the wonders of God. Three thousand were converted to Christ on that day.
Acts 4:8, 31 describe Christ’s disciples filled by the Spirit. The place shook and they spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 10:44-48 describes how Peter was astonished when those listening to him suddenly received the Spirit. They spoke in tongues and praised God, so Peter ordered they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
In the above examples, being filled with the Holy Spirit is illustrated as an unpredictable event that astonishes people. Not even the Apostles could initiate it. Though there may not be specific feelings or emotions, something special will happen as God’s words are proclaimed, God is glorified, and people are changed.
Furthermore, a person filled by the Holy Spirit could be mistaken for being drunk (Ephesians 5:18; Acts 2:4,15; Luke 1:15).
Since the Holy Spirit is a being, we cannot be filled by a part of the Holy Spirit, but the degree of influence by the Holy Spirit varies. The Holy Spirit can guide us into the truth, tell us what’s to come, and testify about and glorify Christ (John 16:13-14, 15:26).
A person filled by the Spirit can give thanks to God for everything and in all circumstances. This can be due to trusting in God’s sovereignty and accepting whatever happens to be His will (Ephesians 5:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Other attributes can include bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), submitting to others due to reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21), and constantly singing songs glorifying God (Ephesians 5:18-19).
So how can we be filled?
Christ said that the Holy Spirit would flow from a person who trusts in Him (John 7:37-39). In the manner that water needs to fill a cup before flowing from it, so trusting in Christ leads to the filling of the Spirit.
Also, having Christ’s message richly dwell in us has similar effects as being filled by the Spirit. See the similarity between Colossians 3:16-17 and Ephesians 5:18-19, both books written around the same time by Paul.
So, if we would like to be filled by the Spirit, we should trust in Christ and richly keep His message in us.
Summarized a sermon by Stanley Toussaint:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i78opjR0Eoc
together with a sermon by 溫偉耀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB8Kn6cULHw
Acts 2 describes the sudden arrival of the Holy Spirit, filling at least the Apostles. People from different countries heard in their own languages the Apostles declaring the wonders of God. Three thousand were converted to Christ on that day.
Acts 4:8, 31 describe Christ’s disciples filled by the Spirit. The place shook and they spoke the word of God boldly.
Acts 10:44-48 describes how Peter was astonished when those listening to him suddenly received the Spirit. They spoke in tongues and praised God, so Peter ordered they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
In the above examples, being filled with the Holy Spirit is illustrated as an unpredictable event that astonishes people. Not even the Apostles could initiate it. Though there may not be specific feelings or emotions, something special will happen as God’s words are proclaimed, God is glorified, and people are changed.
Furthermore, a person filled by the Holy Spirit could be mistaken for being drunk (Ephesians 5:18; Acts 2:4,15; Luke 1:15).
Since the Holy Spirit is a being, we cannot be filled by a part of the Holy Spirit, but the degree of influence by the Holy Spirit varies. The Holy Spirit can guide us into the truth, tell us what’s to come, and testify about and glorify Christ (John 16:13-14, 15:26).
A person filled by the Spirit can give thanks to God for everything and in all circumstances. This can be due to trusting in God’s sovereignty and accepting whatever happens to be His will (Ephesians 5:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Other attributes can include bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), submitting to others due to reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21), and constantly singing songs glorifying God (Ephesians 5:18-19).
So how can we be filled?
Christ said that the Holy Spirit would flow from a person who trusts in Him (John 7:37-39). In the manner that water needs to fill a cup before flowing from it, so trusting in Christ leads to the filling of the Spirit.
Also, having Christ’s message richly dwell in us has similar effects as being filled by the Spirit. See the similarity between Colossians 3:16-17 and Ephesians 5:18-19, both books written around the same time by Paul.
So, if we would like to be filled by the Spirit, we should trust in Christ and richly keep His message in us.
Summarized a sermon by Stanley Toussaint:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i78opjR0Eoc
together with a sermon by 溫偉耀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB8Kn6cULHw