IN US + UPON US = FILLED
The following Scriptures explain what it means to be “Filled with the Spirit”. Jesus set the example of intimacy with the Father and power to complete His will through the filling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said we will do the same and even greater works than He did (John 14:12). Learn how Jesus was filled and how we are filled today.
The Holy Spirit IN Us
(Like drinking in a glass of water)
SPIRIT INDWELLING FOR SALVATION – The Holy Spirit comes and lives inside all who are believers. He is the seal of our salvation and witness that we are God’s children.
The Holy Spirit was IN Jesus
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and as such had His DNA.
“And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35, Matthew 1:18
The Holy Spirit IN Us
In John 14:7 prior to His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus promised the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to His disciples.
On the day of Jesus’ resurrection He breathed into them the Holy Spirit. The word “breathed” is the same word in Genesis 2:7 when God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul.
And when he [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22
The disciples were the first saved in the New Covenant as they received the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit indwells ALL believers.
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
Romans 8:11
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6
(see also: 1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 5:5, Ephesians 1:13)
The Holy Spirit UPON Us
(Like immersing in a pool of water)
SPIRIT BAPTISM FOR EMPOWERMENT – The baptism of the spirit is for the empowerment of believers to be Jesus’ witness. If Jesus required the Holy Spirit to come upon Him before the start of His ministry, and the disciples also needed to be clothed with power from on high before they could be witnesses, why would we think we can fulfill the great commission without this same baptism? We are not required to wait for the Holy Spirit; we need simply ask (Luke 11:9-13). Receiving is rooted in the love of the Father and in the trust and submission of His children.
In the Old Testament the Spirit of God came upon people to perform the supernatural according to His will and purpose.
The Holy Spirit Came UPON Jesus
And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. Matthew 3:16
The Holy Spirit UPON Us
Jesus came to baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.
I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8
[Peter] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘ John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 11:15-17
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:1-6
(see also: Acts 2:16-18, 33, 8:14-17, 10:45, Joel 2:28-29)
The Holy Spirit FILLING
HOLY SPIRIT IN + UPON = FILLING
The Holy Spirit both indwelling and upon believers is the summation of relationship and intimacy with the Father, giving us confidence in our position as His children and the power to be His witnesses.
The term “filled” or “full” of the Holy Spirit refers to the combination of the Spirit indwelling believers and coming upon (baptizing) believers.
Jesus was FILLED
After Jesus was water baptized and the Holy Spirit came upon Him, His ministry began with the description that He was full of the Holy Spirit.
And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit… Luke 3:21-22, 4:1
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me [Jesus], because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. Luke 4:14, 18
We are FILLED
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them… Acts 4:8
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33
But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…
Ephesians 5:18
[Paul] …and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
(see also: Acts 13:52)
Evidences of the Holy Spirit Filling
TONGUES
Speaking in tongues is one of the primary evidences of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues …Mark 16:17
The ability of all believers to speak in tongues is not to be confused to the gift of tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10 (the gift of tongues is for public use and must also have an interpretation to be used Biblically).
Tongues is for intimacy between us and God. Its purpose is to build oneself up in Christ. All who are filled with the Spirit should exercise it.
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself…1 Corinthians 14:2, 4
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit… Jude 20
The language of the Spirit in prayer helps us pray the will of God.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
PROPHESY
To speak and predict under divine inspiration and revelation for upbuilding, encouragement and consolation of others.
On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation… but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
1 Corinthians 14:3-4
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. Joel 2:28-29 (Acts 2:17-18)
And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:6
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