To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E3CtPZ6414Q
SHOW NOTES
Welcome to the third installment of our series on the Holy Spirit. Last week, we explored seven incredible works of the Holy Spirit, and today, we’re diving even deeper into His ongoing role in the lives of believers. We’ll focus on two key aspects: the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Filling of the Holy Spirit. These are distinct works, each playing a unique role in the believer’s life. Let’s break them down:
1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a one-time, transformative event that takes place the moment a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit's act of placing the believer into the body of Christ, uniting them with Him and other believers.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - Paul emphasizes that all believers, regardless of background or status, are baptized into one body by the Spirit. This body is the Church, the collective of all who belong to Christ. Each member has a unique role, just as a physical body has distinct parts working together in harmony. This baptism isn’t about water but about spiritual union with Christ.
Romans 6:1-5 - Baptism into Christ signifies our unity with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Christ was raised, believers are called to walk in the "newness of life." While this spiritual reality may not feel immediately tangible, it is a profound truth: we are united with Christ through the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:4-6 - Paul reminds us of the unity in the Spirit: one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. This baptism occurs the moment we believe and is a vital foundation for our Christian identity.
2. The Filling of the Holy Spirit
Unlike the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which happens once, the filling of the Holy Spirit is a continual process that can happen repeatedly throughout a believer’s life. It is the Spirit’s work in empowering, guiding, and transforming us to live according to God’s will.
Ephesians 5:18-21 - Paul contrasts being filled with wine, which leads to debauchery, with being filled with the Spirit, which leads to a life of worship, gratitude, and submission. This filling is ongoing and produces specific fruit: singing spiritual songs, giving thanks to God, and living in mutual submission out of reverence for Christ.
The term "filling" is often misunderstood. It’s not about receiving more of the Holy Spirit—since He is a Person, not a substance you can accumulate. Instead, it’s about the Spirit having more of us. The command to "be filled" in Ephesians 5 is written in the present tense, indicating a continual action.
The phrase “be filled with the Spirit” can be better understood as the Spirit filling us with something—namely, the Word of God. The Spirit uses God’s Word to shape our character, align our desires with God’s will, and transform our behavior. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the Spirit works within us to produce lasting change.
The filling of the Spirit equips us for daily life, ministry, and obedience. It empowers us to love others, serve selflessly, and endure trials with grace.
We’re so excited to continue this journey with you as we explore the incredible person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for listening, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and join the conversation!
Comments