The Filling of the Holy Spirit

By:  Chuck Keener

Ephesians 5:15-18 
    Be very careful, then how you live-not as unwise by as wise, making the most out of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Do no be drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery.  Instead by filled with the Spirit.  NIV

    1.  The filling of the Sprit may be defined as a spiritual state where the Holy Spirit
         is fulfilling all that He came to do in the heart and life of the individual
         believer.  It is not a matter of acquiring more of the Spirit, but rather of the
         Spirit of God acquiring all of the individual.

    2.  The state of being filled with the spirit should be contrasted with spiritual
         maturity.  A young Christian who has just been saved may be filled with the
         Spirit and manifest the power of the Holy Spirit in his life.  Maturity, however,
         comes only through spiritual experiences which may extend over a lifetime
         and involve growth and knowledge.

Galations 5:16 
    I say then:  Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

1 John 1:7 
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his son purifies us from all sin.

1.  Define being filled with the Spirit.
        A spiritual state when the Spirit is fulfilling all that He came to do in the heart and life of
        the individual believer.

2.  Can we be filled with the Spirit?
        Yes

3.  What happens when Christians are filled with the Spirit?
        Acts 2:4 - Speak in tongues
        Acts 4:8 - Courage to proclaim Jesus
        Acts 4:31 - Speak the word of God boldly
        Acts 7:55 - Stephen filled w/ peace while being stoned
        Acts 9:17 - Paul regained his sight
        Acts 11:24 - Evidence of faith and winning people to Christ

4.  What does being filled with the Spirit feel like?
        It can be different for everyone and different for certain situations.

5.  Contrast being filled with the Spirit with spiritual maturity.
        The more spiritually mature you are, the more you are likely to yield to the Spirit.

6.  Can any Christian be filled with the Spirit?
        Potentially, all Christians can be filled with the Spirit.  However, not all choose that.  You
        have to ask and yield.

7.  Why is it inaccurate to refer to the filling of the Spirit as a second work of grace?
        Because it is a continuous filling.

8.  What are the three commands given in the New Testament in regards to being filled?
        1 Thes. 5:19-20
        Ephesians 4:30
        Galatians 5:16