Understanding the Holy Spirit: Baptism and Filling
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the significance of the Holy Spirit's baptism and filling in our lives. I emphasized that the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs when we accept Christ as our Savior, immersing us into the body of Christ. This baptism is not something we need to seek repeatedly; it happens once at the point of salvation. However, the filling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process that requires our active participation. It involves yielding control of our lives to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our actions and decisions. This filling is not about losing control or acting erratically, but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit's guidance and allowing Him to work through us.
Key Takeaways:
- The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at the point of salvation, immersing us into the body of Christ. ([39:48])
- The filling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process that requires our active participation and surrender. ([41:47])
- The filling of the Holy Spirit does not cause us to lose control or act erratically, but allows the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and decisions. ([43:39])
- The filling of the Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill God's will in our lives, achieve His will on earth, and be proper witnesses. ([01:09:29])
- The level of filling of the Holy Spirit we have corresponds to our level of spiritual maturity. ([01:13:04])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 1:8 #!!39:48!!#
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 #!!55:51!!#
3. Galatians 3:25-29 #!!52:57!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit coming upon the disciples in Acts 1:8?
2. How does 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ?
3. In Galatians 3:25-29, how does Paul describe the process of being baptized into Christ?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as described in these passages, relate to the concept of being part of the body of Christ?
2. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and how does this differ from being baptized by the Holy Spirit?
3. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers to be witnesses, as mentioned in Acts 1:8?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit working in your heart, life, and abilities to accomplish something that you knew only He could do. How did that experience impact your faith?
2. What specific steps can you take this week to be more obedient to the Word, the will, and the work of God in your life, thereby inviting the continual filling of the Holy Spirit?
3. Can you identify any barriers in your life that might be preventing you from being filled by the Holy Spirit? How can you address these barriers?
4. How can you demonstrate your faith in Christ to others in a way that reflects the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?
5. How can you cultivate a desire for the filling of the Holy Spirit in your daily life?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is not just a concept or an abstract idea, but a powerful entity of the Godhead that can transform our lives. When we submit and surrender to the Holy Spirit, we begin to experience a profound change in our lives. This change is not just a temporary emotional high, but a deep and lasting transformation that affects every aspect of our lives. [01:09:29]
Bible Passage: Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt the Holy Spirit working in your life. How did it change you?
Day 2: The Importance of Obedience
Obedience is a key aspect of our relationship with God. When we obey God's commands, we open ourselves up to the filling of the Holy Spirit. This filling is not a one-time event, but a continual process that requires our constant obedience and submission to God's will. [01:13:04]
Bible Passage: 1 Samuel 15:22 - "But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice more obedience to God?
Day 3: The Dangers of Quenching the Spirit
Quenching the Spirit is a serious matter. It involves resisting or ignoring the promptings of the Holy Spirit, which can hinder our spiritual growth and limit our effectiveness for God's kingdom. We must be careful not to quench the Spirit through disobedience or indifference. [01:15:40]
Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:19 - "Do not quench the Spirit."
Reflection: Can you identify a time when you may have quenched the Spirit? What can you do to avoid doing so in the future?
Day 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spiritual Maturity
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in our spiritual maturity. The level of our filling with the Holy Spirit determines the level of our spiritual maturity. If we want to grow spiritually, we must yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in and through us. [01:19:01]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:13 - "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Reflection: In what ways do you need to yield to the Holy Spirit to grow in spiritual maturity?
Day 5: The Blessings of a Spirit-Filled Life
A Spirit-filled life is a blessed life. It involves a constant yielding to the Holy Spirit, a continual faith, and a persistent prayer life. A fruitful Christian service is the result of perpetual drinking at the fountain of living water, which is the Holy Spirit. [01:18:08]
Bible Passage: John 7:38 - "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a more Spirit-filled life?
Quotes
1. "There is only for the believer there is only one baptism by the Spirit. But there are multiple fillings of the Spirit. You cannot get those two things confused, you can, you should not get those two things confused. And we must be accurate in our burbage concerning those things." - 45:16
2. "Baptism of the Spirit is something that the Holy Spirit does to you. Filling of the Holy Spirit is something that the Holy Spirit does in you. There's a difference. Both of these events are reserved for persons or persons who are born again." - 46:49
3. "The continual filling of the Holy Spirit which is what we are commanded. Those continual fillings are supernatural in application. It occurs supernaturally, the Holy Spirit of God fills you. But they are not mystical in availability." - 48:43
4. "Do you want to be baptized with the Holy Spirit of God? Just want to repent and believe the gospel. Have you done that already? You have them baptized by the Holy Spirit of God. Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God? Commit yourself to obedience and thankfulness. And the Holy Spirit of God will begin to fill you, and you'll begin to feel it as he fills you to accomplish his will in his work." - 01:19:01
5. "We are never tasked to pray, plead, or beg for the filling of the Holy Spirit of God. There is no purpose in that, for you to prostrate yourself, prostrate yourself in front of the church or in some room or amongst a bunch of other believers. And try to pray down the Spirit of God, it is not scriptural." - 43:56
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