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The Promises of God - Lesson 23
To Be Filled with the Spirit

Introduction:

        1.    
We learn from 2 Peter 1:4 that God's promises are "exceeding great and precious."
        2.    Because God's promises are so special, they deserve our careful attention.
        3.    One of God's promises is revealed in Joel 2:28-32 -- He promised to send His Spirit.
        4.    According to the Scriptures,:
               a.     God kept His promise (Acts 2:16-21)
               b.    God has given people various measures of the Holy Spirit, including:
                      1)    the baptism of the Holy Spirit [received by the apostles (Acts 2) and the household of Cornelius
                             (Acts 10)]
                      2)    the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by spiritual gifts [imparted by the
                              laying on of the apostles' hands (Acts 8:14-17; 19:5-6)]
                      3)    the non-miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit [received by those who obey the Gospel
                             (Acts 2:38; 5:32)].
        5.    Because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is conditional (Romans 8:9-11), we must comply with the
               instructions that relate to Him.
        6.    In this lesson we are concentrating on the instruction for Christians to "be filled with the Spirit" 
               (Ephesians 5:18).
               a.     The expressions "filled with the Holy Spirit" and "full of the Holy Spirit" are found in many passages.
               b.    A careful study of these passages indicates that:
                      1)    certain individuals have been filled with the Spirit in a miraculous sense
                      2)    there is a non-miraculous sense in which Christians are to be filled with the Spirit.

Discussion:

I.                   CERTAIN  INDIVIDUALS  HAVE  BEEN  FILLED  WITH  THE  SPIRIT  IN  A  MIRACULOUS
                     SENSE


        A.   John (Luke 1:15), Elisabeth (Luke 1:41-42), and Zacharias (Luke 1:67) were "filled with the Holy Spirit."
               1.    They received a special anointing of the Holy Spirit.
               2.    This occurred before Christianity was established.
        B.   Jesus was "full of the Holy Spirit" (Luke 4:1).
               1.    The Spirit descended upon Jesus when He was baptized (Luke 3:21-22).
               2.    Jesus received the Spirit without "measure" (John 3:34).
        C.   The apostles were "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9).
        D.   In the early church Christians were able to receive the Spirit when the apostles laid hands on them
               (Acts 8:12-17; 19:5-6).
        E.   Stephen's situation is interesting.
               1.    Being "full of the Holy Spirit" was a requirement of the seven men who would serve the Jerusalem
                      church (Acts 6:3).
               2.    One of the men, Stephen, was full "of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5).
               3.    (Acts 6:6) The apostles laid their hands on Stephen and the other men.
               4.    Stephen was then able to perform miracles (Acts 6:8).
               5.    Just before Stephen was killed he was "full of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:55).
        F.   These are cases where individuals were filled with the Holy Spirit in a miraculous sense.

II.                OTHERS  WERE  FILLED  WITH  THE  SPIRIT  IN  A  NON-MIRACULOUS  SENSE

        A.   Stephen was "full of the Holy Spirit" before the apostles laid their hands on him.
        B.   Barnabas was "full of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 11:22-24).
               1.    This is mentioned in connection with his conduct.
               2.    He was also a great encourager.
        C.   The disciples in Iconium were "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:51-52).
        D.   To "be filled with the Spirit," let us fulfill our responsibilities that relate to Him.

Webmaster Gary L. Wade
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