Updated:2022-03-17
Are You Full of the Holy Spirit?
Today, I want to explain and define what it means when a Believer is full of the Holy Ghost. So, let’s continue with our Book of Acts Bible Study.
Consequently, our primary references are Acts 7:54-60. To be full of the Holy Ghost one must fulfill a number of prerequisites.
On the one hand, such a person must be a Believer of Jesus Christ and has received the Holy Ghost, and is pursuing righteousness according to the Bible.
On the other hand, a Believer who is full of the Holy Ghost always demonstrates that he or she is full of faith; power; mighty works; wisdom, and goodness.
Is Full of the Holy Ghost Different From Filled With the Holy Ghost?
The intended audience of this epistle is the Church of Jesus Christ or Believers. Christians!
Now, these are not any Christians, but specifically, those who believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
They believe his gospel and are obeying it and are currently living the Christian life.
Consequently, they have experienced water baptism in the name: Jesus Christ as Peter encouraged; they received the Holy Ghost on or after the Day of Pentecost.
They are born-again Believers. Finally, they are pursuing righteousness through faith in Christ.
These are the Christians this Book of Acts account is relevant to. Deacon Stephen satisfied all these prerequisites.
What Does it Mean Being Full of the Holy Ghost?
The Jews were so angry at Stephen’s words that they bit him or “they gnashed on him with their teeth,” (Acts 7:54).
A distinction between the two states is important.
“But [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,” (Acts 7:55).
Brethren, “being full of the Holy Ghost” is different from “filled with the Holy Ghost”, (Acts 7:55).
The former expresses a state of being. You couldn’t be full of Him if you never had Him in the first place.
It implies that one’s experience with the Spirit has progressed to a point of pregnancy. Hence, you are full of the Holy Ghost.
Pregnant With the Holy Ghost
“Being full with” implies that the contents (the Holy Ghost) and the containers (our bodies) are in harmony. There is no distinction between the two.
Therefore, when a Believer who is with the Holy Spirit lays hands on you, it’s the Spirit that’s touching you.
On the contrary, when a Believer is filled of the Holy Ghost this expresses his state at that point in time.
This state also implies pregnancy, but with a difference. He or she is replete with the Spirit now but may experience less than one hundred percent capacity later.
In other words, now the container is replete with the Spirit, but later it could easily be filled with something else or not filled at all.
For this reason, the Bible never described Jesus Christ as being “filled with the Holy Ghost”. Instead, he is always full of the Holy Ghost.
The former state does not necessitate renewal or refilling; however, the latter always requires re-filling.
Constant Re-filling
I know many readers with Protestant backgrounds may resist this, but eventually, they will see the light.
Seeing that the quota of the Spirit in those of us who are filled with the Holy Ghost fluctuates, we need constant topping-up.
This is not a strange nor a new idea. The early disciples experienced re-fillings.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Lord’s disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost.
For “… they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance,” (Acts 2:4).
However, two chapters later, these same Christians all received a re-filling of the Holy Ghost.
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness,” (Acts 4:31).
What is the Importance of Being Full of the Holy Ghost’?
Read the entire block of Scriptures from Acts Chapter 1 to Chapter 4 to receive context and clarity. These are the same Believers who received the Holy Ghost in Acts 2.
However, because they were ‘filled with the Holy Ghost’ they need re-filling after suffering much persecution from the Jewish religious folks of the day.
What is the Importance of ‘being Full of the Holy Ghost’?
Consequently, John the Baptist explains: “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him,” (John 3:34).
His statement explains what “being full of the Holy Ghost” means.
Many years ago, long before February of 1997, I was conducting a home Bible Study with a friend, Norman, in Sandside, Port Maria, Saint Mary, Jamaica.
He asked: “Since ‘…God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto’ Jesus, does it mean that born-again Christians got Him ‘by measure’?”
Was Jesus Filled With the Holy Ghost?
My immediate response was no. Then, I explained the born-again process. He appeared satisfied with my explanation.
However, I wasn’t. Since that time I have been vigilant for any Scripture that would shine heavenly light on that question.
Now, twenty-something years later, the good, holy, Lord Jesus Christ has rewarded me. So, Norman, I hope one day you will read this biblical and far more in-depth explanation of your inquiry.
Nevertheless, John the Baptist’s response to his followers’ question directly references Jesus Christ.
However, it also includes any Believer that the Lord “sends”.
Jesus was ‘Full of the Holy Ghost’
So, let’s explain how this relates to Jesus Christ. Because he did not receive the “Spirit” by measure or in proportion he is always full of the Holy Ghost.
Therefore, Scripture reveals:
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,” (Luke 4:1).
Being full of the Holy Ghost expresses a constant state of being replete with the Holy Spirit.
In other words, at all times he was full of the Spirit. Therefore, at no point in time was He less than full of Him.
No human being alive can make that claim. We are never full of the Holy Ghost twenty-four sevens.
Owing to the fact that Jesus was ‘full of the Holy Ghost, then he “was led by the Spirit” (Luke 4:1).
This is the same Spirit that “led” Jesus into the desert. He also speaks through his disciples. Therefore, “… the Spirit gave them utterance,” (Acts 2:4; 4:1).
When you are full of Him, He leads you.
Stephen was Full of the Holy Ghost
For that reason, he was in control of every situation that he faced. He never lost his temper. He lived a victorious life because he possessed at all times a full quota of the Spirit and was led by Him.
Stephen too was full of the Holy Ghost.
Therefore, being full of the Holy Ghost is not unique to Jesus Christ. Recall John’s explanation. If the Lord sends you, He ensures that you too remain full of His Spirit.
As a result, the next person Scripture reveals as being full of the Holy Ghost is one the Lord sends via His twelve leaders: Stephen.
The Bible didn’t randomly state that Deacon Stephen is full of the Holy Ghost for no reason. Therefore, the phrase “being full of the Holy Ghost” is a teaching opportunity. A teaching moment.
It, therefore, means that not all Believers are “full of the Holy Ghost”. The Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ recognized this; therefore, they state it as one of the prerequisites for the selection of the first deacons.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business,” (Acts 6:3).
“Full of the Holy Ghost” = “Full of Wisdom”?
Note, above, how the Scripture equates “full of the Holy Ghost” with full of wisdom. This it does with this phrase, “full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom”.
In reality, what the Twelve was saying is, search amongst yourselves for seven Christian men who are full of the Holy Ghost. If you are full of the Holy Ghost you are full of wisdom.
If being full of the Holy Ghost is a common condition they wouldn’t need to “look ye among” themselves for men that meet those requirements.
The Twelve could just randomly, choose any seven men from the congregation and those prerequisites would be satisfied instantly.
But that wasn’t the case. Everybody is not full of the Holy Ghost.
Consequently, the congregation did just that.
For “….they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch,” (Acts 6:5).
Are You Full of the Holy Ghost?
Being full of the Holy Ghost is not an everyday experience.
Now, we have Jesus and seven deacons whom the scriptures describe as full of the Holy Ghost.
Nevertheless, they were not the only ones full of the Holy Ghost.
Apostle Barnabas was also Full of the Holy Ghost
“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:22-24).
Features of Christians
Looking back mainly at the three men I mentioned earlier who were full of the Holy Ghost and you will realize a few things.
1. They are all full of faith
2. Full of Wisdom
3. Full of Power
4. Full of Mighty Works and (Acts 8:6).
5. Goodness
Once I read on the Internet, “To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with Christ.”
This is a true but very simplistic statement. This is the easy way out. How does a Believer become filled with Christ?
And please provide at least two relevant scriptures to substantiate that claim.
Our opinions, in context, mean nothing unless they are going parallel to the Word of God.
Being Full of the Holy Ghost Vs. Filled With the Holy Ghost
Observe, also that the Bible never mentions that Jesus is “filled with the Holy Ghost”. But he is always “full of” Him.
Some persons may think that this is mere semantics, but it’s not and I will explain why.
There is a subtle difference with Scriptures which tell us that someone is “filled with the Holy Ghost” versus those that inform that someone else is “being full of the Holy Ghost”.
Being full of the Holy Ghost means that at any point in time you are always replete with the Spirit of Christ.
However, a Believer who is not filled with the Holy Ghost cannot be in a state of being full of Him.
On the other hand, a believer could be filled with the Spirit but not being full of the Holy Ghost.
When Were You Filled With the Holy Ghost?
If you are filled with the Holy Ghost you must remember the time when He came into you. You must remember the initial experience. It’s nonesuch! Like no other experiences.
Whenever Believers are filled with the Holy Ghost it always manifest as prophecy or speaking with tongues.
We see this happen with Mary, Elizabeth and Zacharias. So, we realize that Believers speak-in-tongues or prophesy because they are filled with the Holy Ghost.
This was exactly what happened on the Day of Pentecost. The disciples were in one place expecting the promise. Then they heard the sound of a rushing might wind. This triggers their in filling of the Holy Ghost.
For example, the Bible tells us that John the Baptist was born “filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15).
What Incident Triggers You Being Replete With the Holy Ghost?
There was no need for any event or occasion to motivate him being filled with the Holy Ghost.
He’s an exception. He was born filled with the Holy Ghost and he remained filled with Him until he was murdered.
However, both his parents had different experiences to his.
His mother, Elizabeth, when she heard the greetings of Mary, the mother of Jesus and her cousin, “was filled with the Holy Ghost” at that point in time, (Luke 1:41).
What incident triggers your being filled with the Holy Ghost? Was it a song? A time of worship. A preaching of the Word of God? Or a Believer’s testimony?
Mine happened more than thirty-four years ago. But I remember it like it happened yesterday.
I was in Church. I got up to give a “praise”, but I couldn’t. Instead, I began to speak in tongues and magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. I was filled with the Holy Ghost.
It’s an experience I can never forget! It’s indelibly etched on my memory!
Zacharias – Filled with the Holy Ghost
Now to the father of John the Baptist, Zacharias. He too was filled with the Holy Ghost. But what was his trigger? When did his occur? Read Luke 1:59-75.
His involved the naming of his son at his circumcision as Gabriel had instructed him and the fulfillment of his words to Zacharias.
But, as soon as he did as Gabriel had instructed him, he was filled with the Holy Ghost.
“And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost…. ”. He too was filled at that point in time (Luke 1:67).
One final example involves the ever-present apostle to the Gentiles, Apostle Paul.
When did he receive the Holy Ghost? When Ananias came and laid his hands on him and delivered a message from the Lord to him.
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 9:17).
CONCLUSION
Whenever we are pregnant with the Holy Ghost we must give birth. This expresses itself as an issue. We speak. It manifests in one of two ways: either we prophecy or we speak in other tongues.
We see this happening on the Day of Pentecost. It happened with the mother of Jesus, her cousin Elizabeth and her husband, Zacharias, and many more.
We observe through Scriptures that when the Lord sends us he removes all restrictions on us. And because we are full of His Spirit we are powerful and full of faith, wisdom, mighty works, and goodness.
We can function in the limitless abilities of God. But first, we must obey Him.
We first witness this with Jesus Christ. He being full of the Holy Ghost was full of power, faith, wisdom, goodness, and mighty works. All this happens because he is obedient to his Father who sent him to redeem humanity to Himself.
Jesus Has All Powers
The Lord didn’t give him His Spirit by measure for he had all powers.
Similarly, Deacon Stephen and the other six deacons demonstrate identical capabilities. And so too did the Twelve.
However, whenever Christians demonstrate being full of the Holy Ghost, supernatural things happen. Recall Stephen.
He said: “… Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God,” (Acts 7:56).
Because he ‘being full of the Holy Ghost’ he was able to see into heaven, (Acts 7:55).
As born-again Believers, the measure of the Spirit that we operate in depends of how many of the spiritual gifts we will embrace and seek to activate and employ in our lives.
These represent the quota of Spirit that the Lord gives to us.
Jesus Christ never operated in any of the spiritual gifts because he ‘being full of the Holy Ghost’ had no need.
However, Christians who don’t function in the full quota of the Spirit of the Lord must embrace the spiritual gifts. Because they are not always filled with the Spirit.
You have access to his full powers
If the Lord sends you there is no restraints; no quota. You have access to his full powers. But you must realize this for yourself.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place,” (Acts 2:1).
“… Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting,” (Acts 2:2).
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them,” (Acts 2:3).
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance,” (Acts 2:4).
This expression glorifies God. If there is no filling, there’s no “speaking-in-tongues” or prophecy.
It’s the fullness of the Spirit which results in this.
“Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,” (Acts 7:57).
Even while dying they are full of the Holy Ghost
“And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul,” (Acts 7:58).
“…. [T]hey stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” (Acts 7:58).
“[Stephen] … kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep,” (Acts 7:60).
A Believer filled with the Spirit of Christ is never passive.
The baptism of the Holy Ghost happens only once in the life of a Believer.
However, for lack of a more appropriate description, ever so frequently we experience a surge or the Spirit, which is identical to our initial experience with Him.
This I call re-filling. This word is not in the Bible, but the concept of it appears in it.
Finally, the doctrine that all Christians are filled with the Holy Ghost is diabolical. The only biblical and initial proof that you believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is being filled with the Holy Ghost.
And when you are filled with Him you must speak
And when you are filled with Him you must speak. Either with other tongues, as He directs you, or prophecy. This is the Bible.
Consequently, “… if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you….” (Romans 8:11).
If you are filled with the Holy Ghost, if… because some Christians are not, you will speak in other tongues as the Spirit directs you.
Ensure that you possess the Spirit of Christ Jesus by obeying his words.
When we are full of the Holy Ghost we know the voice of God and His will. We become instruments that He uses to accomplish his will.
Dear Teacher of the Word of Life. THANK YOU.
I was not sure if I had earlier submitted my joyful comment.
I have as a preacher, not really grasped the difference between being “full of the Holy Ghost” and “filled with the Holy Ghost” Permit me to use it for the body of Christ under me as I will acknowledge you before them. Only the Holy Ghost gave you this deep insight . I would like to have your response if you do not mind. God bless you, my Brother in Christ.
Co – laborer
CHRIS
Dear Co-labourer in the Word of Life. THANK YOU for stopping by.
Also, thanks for your “joyful comment”.
I’m delighted that I could be of assistance Chris.
Please go right ahead. Thanks again!