Comments on: The Meaning of Being Filled with the Holy Spirit http://www.discerningtheworld.com/2009/05/10/be-continually-filled-with-the-holy-spirit/ A Genuine Christian Blog for Genuine Christians Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:15:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Elisheva http://www.discerningtheworld.com/2009/05/10/be-continually-filled-with-the-holy-spirit/#comment-224 Elisheva Mon, 11 May 2009 02:51:07 +0000 http://discerningtheworld.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/be-continually-filled-with-the-holy-spirit/#comment-224 Thank you for this good posting. May I please add this? The Nature of Spirit-Filling: There are three things to note about the nature of Spirit-filling, all based on Ephesians 5:18. The Meaning of Spirit-Filling To be filled means, “to be controlled.” For example, Ephesians 5:18 states: And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit. (1) Spirit-Filling Is Commanded First, it is commanded. A believer is never commanded to be regenerated, indwelt, baptized, sealed, or anointed by the Holy Spirit. These things happen automatically at the moment one believes. But he is commanded: be filled with the Spirit. (2) Spirit-Filling Is Repeated The second thing about the nature of Spirit-filling is that it is a ministry, which can be repeated. All the ministries of the Holy Spirit in relationship to salvation are not repeatable; they are once-and-for-all actions which occur at the moment one believes. • But the ministries in relationship to spiritual growth are repeatable as is the case of being filled with the Spirit. The tense used in Ephesians 5:18 is the present tense, which means, “to keep on being filled” with the Spirit. The Greek present tense emphasizes continuous and repeated action. Because Spirit-filling is repeated, it does not necessarily mean the believer has lost his previous filling, although at times it may mean that. It can also mean that a new area of one's life has been placed under the control of the Spirit. For example, the Apostles were filled with the Spirit at least three different times (Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31). Stephen was filled at least twice (Acts 6:3 6; 7:55). Paul was filled at least two different times (Acts 9:17; 13:52). Barnabas was filled in Acts 11:24. In none of these cases was the previous filling lost. In every case, a new area needed to be under the Spirit's control, so in each of those areas, they were filled with the Spirit. (3) Spirit-Filling Is Passive The third thing concerning the nature of Spirit-filling is based on the passive voice in Ephesians 5:18, which means someone else is doing the filling. All the believer does is submitting himself so that the filling can take place; the Holy Spirit does the actual filling. Elisheva Thank you for this good posting. May I please add this?

The Nature of Spirit-Filling:
There are three things to note about the nature of Spirit-filling, all based on Ephesians 5:18.
The Meaning of Spirit-Filling
To be filled means, “to be controlled.” For example, Ephesians 5:18
states: And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit.
(1) Spirit-Filling Is Commanded
First, it is commanded. A believer is never commanded to be
regenerated, indwelt, baptized, sealed, or anointed by the Holy Spirit.
These things happen automatically at the moment one believes.
But he is commanded: be filled with the Spirit.
(2) Spirit-Filling Is Repeated
The second thing about the nature of Spirit-filling is that it is a ministry, which can be repeated.
All the ministries of the Holy Spirit in relationship to salvation are not repeatable; they are once-and-for-all actions which occur at the moment one believes.
• But the ministries in relationship to spiritual growth are repeatable as is the case of being filled with the Spirit.
The tense used in Ephesians 5:18 is the present tense, which means, “to keep on being filled” with the Spirit.
The Greek present tense emphasizes continuous and repeated action.
Because Spirit-filling is repeated, it does not necessarily mean the believer has lost his previous filling, although at times it may mean that.
It can also mean that a new area of one’s life has been placed under the control of the Spirit.
For example, the Apostles were filled with the Spirit at least three different times (Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31).
Stephen was filled at least twice (Acts 6:3 6; 7:55).
Paul was filled at least two different times (Acts 9:17; 13:52).
Barnabas was filled in Acts 11:24.
In none of these cases was the previous filling lost. In every case, a new area needed to be under the Spirit’s control, so in each of those areas, they were filled with the Spirit.
(3) Spirit-Filling Is Passive
The third thing concerning the nature of Spirit-filling is based on the passive voice in Ephesians 5:18, which means someone else is doing the filling.
All the believer does is submitting himself so that the filling can take place; the Holy Spirit does the actual filling.
Elisheva

]]>