John Zain
Member
Spirit-filled means “filled with the Holy Spirit”, which is found only in these verses:
Luke 1:15, 1:41, 1:67, 4:1 … Acts 2:1-4, 4:8, 4:31, 9:17, 13:9 … Eph 5:18.
The Holy Spirit coming “upon” people always indicates the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:5-8
“… you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (at Pentecost).
… you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me… to the end of the earth.”
Another example of the Holy Spirit coming “upon” for the baptism with the Holy Spirit:
Acts 11:15-16
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them (the Gentiles),
as upon us at the beginning.Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said,
‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ”
The first occurrence of this Holy Spirit baptism is on the Day of Pentecost:
Acts 2:1-4
“When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting.Then there appeared to them divided
tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
This experience is about being filled with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Acts 19:5-6
“When they heard this,they were (water) baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”
3 things are mentioned here …
the laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit coming “upon” people, and speaking in tongues.
Acts 9:17
“And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said,
‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came,
has sent me that you may receive your sight and befilled withtheHolySpirit.’ ”
The only thing mentioned here in association with being filled is the laying on of hands.
If we summarize the 5 passages, we can see how they are connected:
Acts 1:5-8 ……. baptism … upon
Acts 11:15-16 ... baptism … upon
Acts 2:1-4 …………..….….. upon … filled ... tongues
Acts 19:5-6 ………………… upon ………..… tongues … laying on of hands
Acts 9:17 …………………….………. filled …………….... laying on of hands
We see that being “Spirit-filled” has to do with the baptism with the Holy Spirit
where the Holy Spirit comes “upon” the person, who then speaks in tongues.
It has nothing to do with being born-again, where the Holy Spirit comes inside the person.
Although many people have experienced both simultaneously (as they did at Pentecost).
