Once Filled, Always Filled???

[SOLDOUT4HIM]

When I have done missions we would have a period of intense worship each evening and morning to get filled up with the Holy Ghost. We would empty ourselves in service of others all day and God would refresh us each night for the next day (and In the morning!). I think as we pour into others we have to get refilled. We are kind of like a sponge, we can soak up a whole bunch, pour out a bunch, but then we have to soak up again. God is so good, He knows what we need. And man, oh, man does He ever supply it!

 

[xsynerinc]

Ephesians 5:18 - Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit. (ISV)


Ephesians 5:18 - Don't drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. (The Message)
​

FILLED:
Greek Strong's #4137
πληρόω
plēroō
play-ro'-o
From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

• Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
• Acts 4:8 - Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
• Acts 4:31 - 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.
• Acts 13:52 - And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

There is a continuing theme throughout the book of Acts which describes the disciples as being "filled" on more than one occasion.

Question is, if you've been filled once, are you filled forever?

Undoubtedly, most of us would agree that once you are filled, you still have the infilling.

But, why does Luke write about "multiple fillings"???

Or does it really mean that we can have more and more of the infilling when we need it? Or are we like buckets with holes in them that leak out what has filled us up?

yes. we can have another refill whenever we need it.
like drinking water every day - the spirit man needs likewise a daily refill, of bread-Gods word, or wine-the Holy Spirits comfort.
because the last fill was used up - in ministering to others of what you have.. or used in worship to God.. or used up for your own benefit.

"..as you have received, freely give."

 

[BubblesRelena]

You can get a refilling (refreshing) of the holy spirit. But I don't believe that you can have "once filled always filled". You can fall from the graces of God and become a reprabate.

 

[riverpastor]

Would this be freewill?
\o/

Freewill - the old chicken-and-egg-which-one-comes-first(?) debate...

I really don't care if I make my choices based upon the desires and/or influence that the Holy Spirit may or may not be exerting upon me in spirit.

I am yoked and in union with Him now. To me, that's what matters...

So, if I am yielding to Him because He simply wills me to, then so be it.
Or
If I am hungry and reaching out to Him by faith as a choice, so be it.

To me, it's more a question of remaining in His Presence and in His Love.

 

[riverpastor]

You can get a refilling (refreshing) of the holy spirit. But I don't believe that you can have "once filled always filled". You can fall from the graces of God and become a reprabate.

Bubbles,

Grace is the effectual working of the Holy Spirit within us. I deal with Christians everyday who struggle in their own power and strength simply because they have been blinded by subtle deception that THEY are the ones who are supposed to live the Christian life and not fully rely upon God.

I don't believe that causes one to become a reprobate.

We are not meant to live the Christian life. We are to let Christ live the Christian life through us.

 

[Asaph]

I must boldly proclaim that I am OFAF!

I jest of course, but I do believe the principle. I do not believe that the Lord gives the Holy Spirit by measure, or that the Holy Spirit can somehow be used up and then we need to get to the Holy Spirit gas station for a re-fill.

What I do believe is that the flesh is weak, stupid, and stubborn. That the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is either hindered by our flesh or it isn't. That as long as we can yeild to the Spirit without getting in the flesh then the Spirit will remain unquenched.

This is a very simple and easy thing to type. Not necessarily so easy in the walk though.

Just my two pesos.

Asaph

 

[riverpastor]

I must boldly proclaim that I am OFAF!

There should be this understanding, IMO, that there is always a supply of the Holy Spirit and His anointing because:

1) He lives in us continuously, and
2) our lives are meant to be an open channel of His Life within.


Yes, easy to write, hard to walk... (at times)...
but then, there's grace!

 

[Andry]

There should be this understanding, IMO, that there is always a supply of the Holy Spirit and His anointing because:

1) He lives in us continuously, and
2) our lives are meant to be an open channel of His Life within.


Yes, easy to write, hard to walk... (at times)...
but then, there's grace!

What worries me - oops - 'concerns' me (don't want to offend WOF'ers ) is that the analogies bandied about being filled and refilled daily like a gas pump, a glass of water, etc. is that it makes the Holy Spirit sound like a piece of blob - something impersonal in some gaseous or amoebic state - like the Force from Star Wars.

But let's not forget He's a 'person' - part of the Trinity, and therefore desirous of relationship with us and not just there like a tank of gas..."I need a fill up today, so I'm gonna get my fill of the Holy Spirit..." type of attitude.

 

[riverpastor]

That's right, Andry. Scripture doesn't say, "Be ye filled with the Holy Blob".

The Holy Spirit resides in the believer to reveal Christ. We are enjoined into the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is constantly taking place within us.

We GET to be partakers of that Love communion!

 

[Johnny Be Good]

Freewill - the old chicken-and-egg-which-one-comes-first(?) debate...

I really don't care if I make my choices based upon the desires and/or influence that the Holy Spirit may or may not be exerting upon me in spirit.

I am yoked and in union with Him now. To me, that's what matters...

So, if I am yielding to Him because He simply wills me to, then so be it.
Or
If I am hungry and reaching out to Him by faith as a choice, so be it.

To me, it's more a question of remaining in His Presence and in His Love.

AGREED!!!

 

[Trish1947]

I don't believe that Christ leaks out of a person.. We may not let Him reign all the time, but He's there.

Col 1:26[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

Col 1:27To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

 

[brother daniel]

Praise the Lord. I am glad for the encouraging words that are flowing on this thread.
I have no doubt the Holy Ghost is moving amongst us. Truely the Kingdom of God is at hand. I do remember Jesus told us to refer to God as OUR FATHER, better yet as ABBA. I feel HIM bending his ear towards us now as we enjoy the words of Jesus.
THERE IS AN US HERE WHO HAS EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. "My cup runneth over" Thank you Jesus.