Filled with the Spirit

From the Original Baptist Observer July 2016 Issue

In Ephesians 5:18 the Bible says to be filled with the Spirit. The word filled in the Strong’s is G4137~to make replete. That comes from G4134~replete or covered over which comes from G4130~fulfill. The word replete means filled or well supplied. This simply means we are to be controlled by the Spirit.

When does this take place? Romans 6:13, 16, 17 shows us yes, we yield in salvation, but we are not controlled by the Spirit unless we continue to follow. Yes, we yield in righteous acts such as baptism and church membership, but we are still not controlled by the Spirit

unless we continue to follow.

Ephesians 3:16-19 shows that complete control by the Spirit in surrender ultimately one must be in one of the Lord’s New Testament churches.

In John 20:22, who was the Comforter to the church at this time? Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one – John 14:9-12, 16-18. Jesus was the Comforter at this time. When would He send another Comforter? John 14:26; John 15:26-27; and John 16:7 all make it clear that it was after He was gone.

In Acts 2:1-4, the Holy Spirit now takes up His own office work as Comforter. In Acts 1:1-5, Jesus tells them to wait until they receive power. The Holy Spirit only filled Jesus’ office as Comforter until He took up His own office work as Comforter on the day of Pentecost. Remember, in John Jesus said the Comforter would come after Jesus left. The Father would send Him.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises His church would receive power. The word power is G1411~force; miraculous power; from G1410~to be able or possible. This word comes from the same origin of our word dynamite. This power was unlimited.

John chapters 14, 15, 16 all show the work of the Holy Spirit as Comforter. John 14:17 says the world cannot receive the Spirit. Why not? He was dwelling in a special way with only the Lord’s New Testament church, and then later the churches. “He dwelleth with you and shall be in you”. Did they know about the Spirit? Yes, but He was coming in a different office work.

John 14:25, Matthew 18:20, and John 14:27. This is the peace He was speaking of. This is why assembling is so important. The Matthew 18:20 capacity is what makes it all real!

John 15:8 tells us as members of local New Testament churches we are to bear fruit. How can we bear much fruit? Acts 1:8 tells us the power of the Comfort- er. Wow! Do we really understand the work of the Holy Spirit as Comforter in a local New Testament church?

John 16:13 promises that the Comforter will guide us into all truths as members of a New Testament church. We have access to the benefits of the Comforter with us all the time, but do we access that power.

John 14:26 and I Corinthians 2:10, 16 show us that the Comforter wants to guide us and lead us spiritually through the Word. We can access that power as we study and grow in the Word. If we don’t study, the Comforter can’t recall it to our remembrance. What a privilege that God has granted to us as New Testament church members

However, there is a greater capacity of the Comforter that takes place in the assembly. Acts 4:31 and Exodus 40:34-38 show us the great things that can be accomplished when we are in the actual physical presence of God. This is what takes place every time one the Lord’s churches assembles in church capacity. We are so blessed!