Just like Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, we can be too.
As Christians, we must take Jesus as our example. One of the reasons he came on earth as a man was to show us an example and that what he did is possible for us to do as well. We know that when Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit he accomplished amazing things and He was victorious over all possible temptation:
“Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan. He then was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. In those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. The devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” – Luke 4:1-4
In this verse, we can read that Jesus was tempted by the devil to turn stones into bread while he was so hungry after eating nothing for 40 days. But filled with the Holy Spirit he resisted the temptation and told the devil that men should not live by bread alone but by God’s words.
Who can be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Being filled with the Holy Spirit and resist any and every temptation is possible for us too. We can read in Luke 11:13
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” We can also read that after Jesus died and was resurrected, “the comforter” that is the Holy Spirit came unto many:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” – John 14:26
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” – John 16:7
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” – John 14:16
Others Who Were Filled with the Spirit
The disciples and many other people who were converted were filled with the Holy Spirit.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind. It filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Then they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. When this was noised abroad, the multitude came together. They were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” – Acts 2:1-6
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter. Because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 10:44-45
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 11:15-16
What can happen when we receive the Holy Spirit?
We learn that when they were filled with the Holy Ghost the disciples accomplished amazing things.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do” – John 14:12
“God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul. So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs, and the diseases departed from them. And the evil spirits went out of them.” Acts 19:11-12
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Acts 6:8
The Holy Spirit will seek to bring some behaviors and attitudes in our lives. For example, obedience to God, studying God’s word, praying more, loving righteousness and hating sin. We will also see a change in our lifestyle.
And we will receive its fruits:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace and longsuffering. And gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
No one should ignore the Holy Spirit
Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit. He cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5
40 Days Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming by Dennis Smith is a great book. It has strengthened my knowledge about the Holy Spirit and truly re-enforced my relationship with God. From reading this book, I realized many things about some Bible verses that I used to previously disregarded. Such as, that there are 2 works of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to accept Christ and to be baptized in water. He fills us with his presence so we truly live the Christian life. With the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we will see a change in lifestyle.
There are two groups of people who are qualified to receive baptism of the Holy Spirit:
- Those who have received Christ as their savior.
- Those who decide to commit their lives fully to Him.
We are Called to Accept Christ
The Holy Spirit calls each one of us to accept Christ as our savior and to receive Him. But when we keep disregarding over and over the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we are grieving Him. And it can be an unpardonable sin if we keep disregarding the Holy Spirit and we repent about it:
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30. If we have grieved the Holy Spirit in the past, we should not be discouraged because God is merciful:
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” – Psalm 103: 8-11
Keep in mind that there is a war against the flesh and the spirit. That is why we need to walk in the spirit so that Jesus can live in us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We need to pray daily, just as Jesus did.
