SESSION THREE: Being filled with the Holy Spirit, indwelling, and Baptism with the Holy Spirit

The book of Acts shows repetitious filling with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4, 4:31, 9:17, 13:52) It is clearly an event that is supposed to happen multiple times in the believer’s life. There is no multiple indwelling, that is once and for all at salvation, where we are Baptized into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). But we are to ask for and expect God to give us filling regularly (Ephesians 5:18).

Analogies: leaking balloon, water heater, GPS guidance system, sailing

There are several references to the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Actually, 1 Cor 12:13 can be translated with or in as well (see NIV notes). However, if we look at Matthew 3:11 ( and Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33 in the other gospels) we see a somewhat different picture.

We see three baptisms in the New Testament (Hebrews 6:2 indicates plural baptisms) and this fits well with the notion of multiple / continuous / deeper conversions in our faith. The three baptisms can be summarized as follows:

John the Baptist baptized with water for repentance and the evidence was the fruit of repentance.

The Holy Spirit baptized us into the Body of Christ for new life and the evidence is the fruit of the Spirit. 

Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit for power, and the evidence is the gifts of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is sovereign, so He may not give tongues to everyone, but the NT pattern seems to be that gifts began with tongues. This makes sense, in that tongues require us to subjugate our minds to our spirits. To give control of our tongues (the most unruly members of our bodies!!!) over to our spirits allows us to communicate with God in a way that is less finite, more pure. However, it is primarily a private prayer language unless we have an interpreter, in which case the church can be edified. In any case, we are told to eagerly desire the greater gifts (esp love, but also tongues, prophecy, etc.)

The Gifts and Fruit of the Holy Spirit

I. Introduction:

A. Leon Morris (The Theology of the New Testament, page 107) reminds us that the Holy Spirit brings two-fold uniqueness to Christianity which is exceptionally important for our true understanding, and for separating our faith from close-sounding heresy! The two unique features are: 1) The Spirit is given to every believer, in contrast to many religions where the granting of the Spirit is only to a select few; and 2) The Spirit’s presence is observable by fruit – the visible evidence in the believer’s life, in contrast to the preoccupation of other religions on talk, secret rites, and myth.

B. The importance of this is particularly relevant to cults and other new age phenomena today, and to false syncretistic teaching. There is truth to the idea that we can have a “God within us”, but it is only accessible through faith in Jesus Christ! In this lesson, we will examine the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit as major components of the life of the individual believer.

II. Context and Purpose for the Spiritual Gifts – 1 Cor 14:1, 12, 40 - to eagerly follow the way of love, to excel in the gifts that build up the church, in a fitting and orderly way.

III. Key passage – 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 – The Gifts of the sovereign Holy Spirit

1. We are to be knowledgeable about the gifts (v1) which means we need to study and discern the entirety of the Lord’s teaching on the subject

 

2. We are to use the gifts to avoid being led astray as we were when we were pagans (v2), which indicates that perseverance on the Christian path requires understanding of the gifts

3. We cannot curse God or use his name in vain in the Spirit (v3) – which means that friends and colleagues who swear constantly are probably lost or seriously backsliding

4. There are a variety of gifts by the same Spirit (v4) – do you know your gifts?

5. Focus on service (v5) is an aspect we often neglect. The edification of others was one of the key issues in Corinth…..we often skip over “you are not your own” (1 Cor 6:19b-20)

6. Different means of working, but all gifts in all men controlled by one Spirit (v6) – the concept of unity in diversity is a key element of the Body – with men and women freely using their gifts rather than one group controlling who does what.

7. Everyone has at least one gift! (v7) – this is a vivid reminder of the value of each individual made in the image of God and especially believers redeemed by the savior on the Cross – there is no excuse for inclusion and acceptance in the Body. Each believer is precious, no matter what their gifts! Discuss examples of members of the congregation who may be mentally handicapped, poor, of minority descent….etc… and how we can better include them in our lives.

8. Gifts Listed (v 8-10) – some of these are self-evident, others need to be discerned.

A. message of wisdom

B. message of knowledge

C. faith

D. healing

E. miracles

F. prophecy

G. distinguishing spirits

H. tongues

I. interpretation of tongues

9. The sovereignty of the Holy Spirit in determining gifts links back to the Deity of the Spirit – should we pray to the Spirit for specific gifts? Should we praise the Spirit for gifting He has given?

IV. Secondary Passages – Romans 12: 1-8

1. Presence of the Holy Spirit in the renewing of our minds (v 1-2)

2. The core criteria of humility (v 3)

3. The criteria of unity and mutual service (v 4-5)

4. The differences between believers are God-given and must be used (v6-8)

5. Gifts enumerated – compare to 1 Cor list. What do you observe?

A. prophecy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy

6. Ephesians 4……apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor/teachers.

V. Fruit of the Spirit…..fruit is singular (it’s a package deal)….love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

VII. Conclusion

The indwelling of the Spirit is the basic test of salvation. To accurately diagnose our spiritual condition, we must not be ignorant of the work and the gifts of the Spirit. We must understand the principles of the gifts, the fact that everyone has at least one gift, and that all the gifts are equally necessary for the smooth functioning of the Body of Christ. We must understand the gifting we have received, and that it is not our own, but something that must be shared with the Community of believers. Finally, we must be aware of the fruit we are to exhibit, and to use that reality as the method for measuring our progress and growth, and for admonishing and encouraging others. We must ask for the gifts with right motives, and use them with the intent to edify the church!

Application Assignment: Consider the degree to which you experience the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. What fruit of the Spirit do you see? Do you know your spiritual gifts? Are you serving in your giftedness? How can you better serve your community or the church? Talk about the gifts that you earnestly desire and pray for to receive those! Pray that the Holy Spirit would encourage you and invade every aspect of your life, and ask Him to fill you!