How to be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?

TruthSeek3r

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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.

Questions:
  1. What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit? Is it an experience?
  2. When are Christians filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time? Can it happen multiple times? Can it happen frequently?
  3. Are there conditions to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  4. How can we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not? Is there any evidence or signs that should be expected that we can use for self-examination?
  5. What are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
 
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St_Worm2

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Hello @TruthSeek3r, this is a great/important topic for discussion (I'm not sure that I would classify it as "controversial" however).

Here's a very short article that may be of interest (it also takes a quick look at the difference between the indwelling and the filling of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer).


I've gotta go, but I hope to return later today (Dv).

God bless you!

--David
 
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Andrewn

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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.
Charismatics believe that that Christians should seek the baptism with the Holy Spirit, which is an experience distinct from baptism into the body of Christ. With this experience comes a more intimate knowledge of Christ and an empowerment to witness and to grow spiritually.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptism_with_the_Holy_Spirit
 
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Saint JOHN

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1.. Yes eg acts 2v4 ; 10v46 ; 19v6 ; etc still the same today. ( mark 16v16+ )

2 .. Acts 2 v38 is Gods prescribed way ( some have received before baptism; depends on how desire HIS WAYS not man made ways ) ie no just a decision, no just faith no just confess etc etc its the whole Package ! ONCE filled always filled ( you can turn back ! eg 2Pe 2v22 )

3 .. as stated above acts 2v4 etc MARK 16v16 + true believers ( warning his disciples against fake wanna be as so called believers crucified him !) also used in THE CHURCH (people not a building)acts 7v48

as above ...

Joh 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.

ie.. Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

.. 1Co 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

1Co 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

why wouldn't you want to talk to God HIS WAY ?

why listen to MAN who say no ,

as eve listened .. eat, you shall not die !!!!

in the Church only max 3 of each (hope your church is run that way.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.

its for private direct prayer.
 
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Daniel Marsh

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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.

Questions:
  1. What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit? Is it an experience?
  2. When are Christians filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time? Can it happen multiple times? Can it happen frequently?
  3. Are there conditions to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  4. How can we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not? Is there any evidence or signs that should be expected that we can use for self-examination?
  5. What are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?

Pray for it. Choose to obey. Pray for it every hour.
 
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bling

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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.

Questions:
  1. What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit? Is it an experience?
  2. When are Christians filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time? Can it happen multiple times? Can it happen frequently?
  3. Are there conditions to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  4. How can we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not? Is there any evidence or signs that should be expected that we can use for self-examination?
  5. What are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 6 we have 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.

This makes me think it was recognizable and part of the person’s character.

We limit the Spirit and it is not God limiting the spirit to us.

Do not start by trying to move a mountain, but take what little faith we have and the little Love we have and start using them, we still have free will and the Spirit can only do as much as we allow Him to. Our going forth to do good stuff allows the Spirit to go forth from us doing really great stuff, beyond our imagination.
 
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Saint Steven

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This is an interesting passage in this regard. (being filled with the Holy Spirit)

How did the apostles know that the new believers in Samaria did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed and were baptized? What did the apostles do to remedy this problem? How did they know when the Samaritans did receive the Holy Spirit? (this text doesn't tell us)
Near the end of Acts chapter two Peter informs us "Repent and be baptized... And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38
So, what went wrong in Samaria?

Acts 8:14-17 NIV
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
 
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SkyWriting

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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.

Questions:
  1. What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit? Is it an experience?
  2. When are Christians filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time? Can it happen multiple times? Can it happen frequently?
  3. Are there conditions to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  4. How can we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not? Is there any evidence or signs that should be expected that we can use for self-examination?
  5. What are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
The Instant you are filled with the Holy Spirit, God opens your eyes to seeing what He has done for you.
I've seen it happen for a few minutes at most. Jesus had it happen continuous.

Here are the steps:- Answered Prayer - God heard your prayer, planned, and laid out your answer
 
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bling

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This is an interesting passage in this regard. (being filled with the Holy Spirit)

How did the apostles know that the new believers in Samaria did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed and were baptized? What did the apostles do to remedy this problem? How did they know when they did receive the Holy Spirit? (this text doesn't tell us)
Near the end of Acts chapter two Peter informs us "Repent and be baptized... And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38
So, what went wrong in Samaria?

Acts 8:14-17 NIV
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
I would say there are different portions of the Holy Spirit. We know the Spirit did come on people prior to Pentecost, but Christ was referring to a much great and more important portion of the Spirit. With water baptism the poeple t this time recieved the indwelling portion of the Spirit, but not a mirculous portion of the Spirit which came with the laying on of the Apostles' hands.
 
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Saint Steven

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I would say there are different portions of the Holy Spirit. We know the Spirit did come on people prior to Pentecost, but Christ was referring to a much great and more important portion of the Spirit. With water baptism the poeple t this time recieved the indwelling portion of the Spirit, but not a mirculous portion of the Spirit which came with the laying on of the Apostles' hands.
Thanks for your reply.
There is something to what you are saying. But my point with the previous post of mine and this one, is that the Holy Spirit is very unpredictable.

Even Jesus said in John chapter three that the Spirit is like the wind, we don't know where it came from, or where it is going.

Samaria is a good example. (Acts 8:14-17) The Apostles went there to fix a problem they hadn't anticipated before. And I don't recall the giving of the Holy Spirit requiring the laying on of hands prior to that. (correct me if I am wrong) And then we have what happened in the house of Cornelius with the gentiles. A spontaneous outpouring while Peter was still speaking. (prior to baptism, repentance, or a confession of faith even)

And in reference to the Holy Spirit not coming on anyone prior to Pentecost, we have Simeon. (Luke 2:25-26) Many other examples I think.

Another passage to consider is Acts chapter nineteen. How did the Apostle Paul know that the believers in Ephesus had not received the Holy Spirit? What did he do to remedy the situation?

In all of these cases, the presence of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by manifestations of the Spirit. (tongues, prophecy, praising God)
 
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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.

Questions:
  1. What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit? Is it an experience?
  2. When are Christians filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time? Can it happen multiple times? Can it happen frequently?
  3. Are there conditions to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  4. How can we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not? Is there any evidence or signs that should be expected that we can use for self-examination?
  5. What are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?
The Apostle Paul commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but the verb is passive. Therefore, the filling involves constant prayer for the filling and God the Father's active filling and our reception of it. Thus, it refers to the process of sanctification is which God enables us to cooperate with him in spiritual growth.
 
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Hazelelponi

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The concept of "being filled" with the Holy Spirit is mentioned multiple times in the New Testament, and according to the book of Acts it appears to have been a crucial aspect of the early Christian life.

Questions:
  1. What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit? Is it an experience?
  2. When are Christians filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time? Can it happen multiple times? Can it happen frequently?
  3. Are there conditions to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
  4. How can we know if we are filled with the Holy Spirit or not? Is there any evidence or signs that should be expected that we can use for self-examination?
  5. What are concrete practical ways by which Christians can be filled (and stay filled) with the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is a guarantor for your ultimate salvation.. Ephesians 1:13-14

If you're saved you have the Holy Spirit.. you can't lose Him.. a guarantor or surety means the only way to lose salvation is for God to stop being God...

There may be a special filling to empower someone for ministry or for some special task (like preparing a martyr and empowering them to face a horrific death), but that wouldn't be across the board for everyone.

But overall, if your saved you've been filled with the Holy Spirit when you were saved.
 
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Hillsage

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If the church figures out that there are TWO HOLY SPIRITS they will be on the trail to unwind centuries of misunderstanding. ONLY the KJV even gives you a hint that even the early TRANSLATORS struggled with how to INTERPRET Greek translations correctly into the bibles we ultimately hold in our hands.

KJV EPH 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

KJV EPH 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

KJV 1TH 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

KJV PSA 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

KJV ISA 63:10,11 (2X) But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

Acts 2:4 EW Bullinger comments;
"Strange to say, the A.V. of 1611 has "the holy Ghost" in the first clause, and "the spirit" in the second. Current editions, however, with the R.V., have capital letters in both clauses. and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The question never asked today is this; Which "spirit" is this verse talking about? The Holy Spirit of God, or the holy spirit of Christ?

Yep, even 400 years ago, they struggled with a truth that the fundaMENTAL theologians long ago led the church astray with. Not willingly willingly or deceitfully, but unwittingly, none the less. They ASSUMED they had to have ALL the HOLY SPIRIT that Greek scripture spoke of, and they did not. Today Pentecostals/Charismatics error with their theology thinking they have it bibles that are ALL translated correctly, and they do not. Hence the trouble we have had for way too long.

The online Literal Greek rendering of EPH 1:13 is; IN WHOM AND YOU HEARing THE SAYING OF-THE TRUTH WELL THE WELL-MESSAGE OF-THE SAVing OF-YOU IN WHOM AND BELIEVing YE ARE SEALED to-THE spirit OF-THE promise THE HOLY

"Study to show yourselves approved" is an admonition of scripture, misunderstood by too many. They think that verse means study what the FALSE PROFITS of modern translations, and old indoctrinated theologians have been declaring as THE TRUTH for too long. That's my opinion anyway. Bullinger, a 100 years ago wrote a book and a study bible stating that 52 times, translators Capitalized Holy spirit or spirit when it never should have been.

Hope someone gets something out of this. I did, thanks to God.
 
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Saint Steven

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The question never asked today is this; Which "spirit" is this verse talking about? The Holy Spirit of God, or the holy spirit of Christ?
Could you tell us more about this? Thanks.
It sounds like you are saying that both God the Father and God the Son have a spirit/Spirit. Which one is the Holy Spirit? (or neither)
 
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Andrewn

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Which "spirit" is this verse talking about? The Holy Spirit of God, or the holy spirit of Christ?
If Christ is God and God is one the the Spirit of God is the the same as the Spirit of Christ.
 
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Saint Steven

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If Christ is God and God is one the the Spirit of God is the the same as the Spirit of Christ.
@Hillsage is making the interesting observation that the KJV of the Bible uses some interesting capitalization in reference to the Holy/holy Spirit/spirit. He is pointing to a translation issue. Hopefully he will return to the topic when he is able, and tell us more about this. He has explained it to me before, but I am still a bit baffled about what it all means. (apologies)
 
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Hillsage

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Could you tell us more about this? Thanks.
It sounds like you are saying that both God the Father and God the Son have a spirit/Spirit. Which one is the Holy Spirit? (or neither)
‘Could I “tell US” more’, you ask? Sure, but to what avail? First, let’s see how you would answer text 15? :idea: Not because I’m interested is dealing with anyone but you, Steve. But because it will help me better under where you are coming from. And you have already shown you can follow truth, wherever it may lead . :clap:
 
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Saint Steven

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‘Could I “tell US” more’, you ask? Sure, but to what avail? First, let’s see how you would answer text 15? :idea: Not because I’m interested is dealing with anyone but you, Steve. But because it will help me better under where you are coming from. And you have already shown you can follow truth, wherever it may lead . :clap:
I would guess that the holy spirit in this example would be the spirit of Christ.

Hillsage said:
Which "spirit" is this verse talking about? The Holy Spirit of God, or the holy spirit of Christ?
 
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Hillsage

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I would guess that the holy spirit in this example would be the spirit of Christ.

Hillsage said:
Which "spirit" is this verse talking about? The Holy Spirit of God, or the holy spirit of Christ?
You gave the right answer for the verse, but I was asking you your answer to the comment/ question made Andrewen in his #15 post.
 
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Saint Steven

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You gave the right answer for the verse, but I was asking you your answer to the comment/ question made Andrewen in his #15 post.
Okay. - lol
I'll give that a go as well.

If Christ is God and God is one the the Spirit of God is the the same as the Spirit of Christ.
No. Two different spirits. (same God)
The Holy Spirit of God and the spirit of Christ.
cc. @Andrewn

I seem to remember a contradiction in the translations I was reading about who was sending the Spirit/spirit for the outpouring. (or the Holy Spirit in general after Pentecost) In one place Jesus says his Father will send the Spirit, in another place he says he will send the Spirit. (spirit?) Perhaps it doesn't matter. Not sure.

  1. John 14:26 NIV
    But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

  2. John 15:26 NIV
    “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Fatherthe Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me.
 
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