Being Filled with the Holy Spirit and Indwelling

That Christian Website ^ | 01/17/2011 | Travis Main

[hawkins]

The previous two articles focused on Biblical associations with the topic of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In the first article, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was demonstrated to be non-miraculous representation of the Christian’s obedience to God’s will and not a literal indwelling. In the second, it was demonstrated a literal indwelling is not what the term “gift of the Holy Spirit” means. Rather the term “gift” in conjunction with the Holy Spirit focuses on the miraculous imparted by the laying on of the hands of the apostles which is in opposition to a non-miraculous indwelling. This third article will aim to show the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” is also not a literal indwelling.

Two understandings of the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” will nullify the assertion that filling is a literal non-miraculous indwelling. First, if it can be shown the term is merely representative of someone walking according to truth and righteousness (as per example in the first article) the assertion is nullified; second, if the term can be demonstrated to mean the miraculous the assertion will be nullified. It is my conviction the term “filled with the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Holy Spirit” is a term representing the miraculous as the Bible uses it.

The Old Testament must first be examined for this term. In Exodus, Moses was told to build a tabernacle. He was informed by God Bezalel (Exodus 31:2-3) and Aholiab (Exodus 35:35) had been filled with the Holy Spirit. What this meant was they were given miraculous knowledge and abilities to perform the task. This was not something they learned overtime, but rather it was given directly by God...

[skr]

Thank you for posting this.

[Twinkie]

Back in the 1970’s when such an emphasis was placed on the Baptist of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues; we were told it was an absolute “have to” thing in order to prove the baptism had been received. So, many of us strained a gut (and probably the Lord’s patience) about speaking in tongues. Well, I experienced it in truth, but didn’t know what to do with it when I got it. I finally located the scripture that stated that NOT EVERYONE speaks in tongues, that LOVE is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit. So, now I am humbled, after much tribulation.

[GOP Poet]

or one can just pay close attention to how one is filled with nausea around people or situations overcome with evil. That internal warning system right there tells me the holy spirit dwells within as well as without. God is an awesome God and His spirit clearly resides within his followers to guide and protect them. At least this has always been my experience. I doubt I am just one of the lucky or miraculous FEW. I also see the holy spirit within others. Maybe people need to get out of their human heads for a while and pay attention to the spirit filled world within and without. It is all right there all the time. Call on it and thank God for it. I do.