What does is mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What does the bible tell us about those that were filled with the Holy Spirit of God and how we are to be able to tell who it is that is filled with the Holy Spirit and who is not!
Act 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. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
So in this discourse we see that it was the disciples of Jesus Christ who had forsaken all and were following His instructions to them, and were there in the room just as Jesus had instructed them, and were in one accord there when they were all filled! So the first point is that it is the discples of Jesus Christ, those that had forsaken all and were following Him that were the ones that were in ONE ACCORD before they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Next we see that there is no one there to lay hands on them or touch them for them to receive the “baptism of the Holy Spirit”.. it appeared unto them, as cloven tongues of fire, and sat upon each of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Next we see that they spoke to those of all nations under the sun… in the languages of those people.. telling them the wonderful works of God. So the ability of the Holy Spirit was not only that they could speak in other tongues but that they spoke of the wonderful works of God to all the nations… just as Jesus has directed them to go therefore unto all the nations… and it was a message to all nations… that could be spoken by these that received the Holy Spirit so that each person regardless of his nation could understand it!
Acts 4:8-13: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
This discourse shows us one that is filled with the Holy Spirit speaking to rulers of people, and elders of Israel, and to all the people of Israel, who had crucified Jesus, that God had raised him from the dead, and that there is no salvation in any other!
But what does it say that those that are filled with the Holy Spirit of God are considered by the rulers of people, the elders of Israel, and all the people of Israel? Those that are not filled with the Holy Spirit see those that are, and speak boldly, to be “unlearned and ignorant” and marvel at them, and took “knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus”.
Act 4:31-37: 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. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid [them] down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet.
In this discourse, we see that they prayed, and the place was shaken where they were assembled together, (still no one laying on hands or having to have someone else pray for you to receive it)… and ALL were filled with the Holy Ghost, and SPAKE THE WORD OF GOD WITH BOLDNESS!
Then we see that they that BELIEVED where of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL, and NEITHER said any of them that ought of the things that he possessed be HIS own, but they had all things common. There was none among them that lacked! Those that had possessions of lands, or houses, sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold and laid it them down at the apostle’s feet, and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Even a Levite who believed, having land sold it and brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles!
So let’s see in summary what the bible says about those that are filled with the Holy Spirit!
1. First of all they all believed in the teachings of Jesus Christ and were followers of His teachings prior to being filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. They were all in one accord, of one heart and one soul and were gathered together when they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. They were able to communicate in other languages of many nations so that all men would understand the wonderful works of God in Jesus Christ.
4. Their actions in doing that was so obvious that the ones that heard it knew it was outside their abilities.
5. They were speaking to rulers of people, the people of Israel, and elders of Israel, giving them the words of God with boldness.
6. Those that are not filled with the Holy Spirit will see those that are as “ignorant, and unlearned” and will marvel at them.
7. Those that are filled with the Holy Spirit will not have any lack.
8. They will not consider anything that they have in their possessions to be their own.
9. Those that believe that have land and houses will sell it and bring the proceeds to those that are discipled by Jesus so that the needs of others are met.
Now that is what is found in the bible as the evidence of the actions of those that the bible says were “filled with the Holy Spirit of God”…. so from the biblical perspective …. do we have any today that are filled with the Holy Spirit of God?
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