INTRODUCTION
Over the years I have prayed with many believers who have been struggling to receive the Holy Spirit, and God has granted me a lot of grace for success in this area of ministry.
I believe it will be a blessing to put my knowledge into a teaching and share the message with many others in a similar struggle, whom I can not reach out to for this ministry physically.
The idea of being filled with the Holy Spirit is a key theme that was introduced by Jesus Christ in the New Testament, representing a powerful and life-changing experience in the life of a believer.
My understanding of the Bible and Christian experience laid a foundational understanding that the baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit is essential to every believer.
I was raised in a Christian home among charismatic Pentecostals, got baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as a Grade 3 student in primary school at 9 years of age.
I had already believed in Jesus Christ and professed my faith in Him from as far back as I could think and speak, and as early as 7 years of age I was operating in the gift of prophecy.
I remember telling my fellow primary school students in Grade 1 that I had '6 senses', and my sixth sense is 'knowing what I don't know.'
I would be walking in the road and I met with random strangers, God would speak to me about their lives even though I didn't know that it was a spiritual gift.
My parents were devout Christians, elders and church planters, and I saw evil spirits being cast out of people, and others being filled with the Holy Spirit in our home.
We had home bible studies every Wednesday evening and all night prayers as family every Friday, so you could say we were both scriptural and spiritual.
My parents planted the first church for their denomination in the area called Chishakwe, in Zimunya district within the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe.
While we do not base our understanding on our experiences, we understand our experiences based on scriptures to hold on to what is right and discard the rest.
It is in this spirit that I share with you my background as we start to explore this subject.
The goal of this teaching is to help Christians who are struggling to receive the baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
The expectation is that the reader will be filled with the Holy Spirit after reading this teaching.
We will explore the errors of cessation - a doctrine that opposes the experience of spiritual gifts in the present age, the biblical foundation for being filled with the Holy Spirit, the conditions for receiving this filling, and the signs of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Doctrine of Cessation of Spiritual Gifts
While I believe that the doctrine of cessationism has errors, I do see cessationists as my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
I do not think any less of them and neither do I think any more of myself or other Christians who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues.
What I know is that the infilling of the Holy Spirit makes the believer a more effective witness of the gospel in the world, and I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on this blessing.
Origins of the Doctrine of Cessationism
The doctrine of cessationism proposes that some spiritual gifts like prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, ceased to operate in the church after the apostolic era.
The idea that spiritual gifts ceased didn’t fully crystallize until centuries after the apostolic age, though its seeds can be found in early church reactions to excesses and shifts in church priorities.
In the New Testament era and the immediate post-apostolic period, spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy were active, as evidenced in Acts and Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 12–14).
Early church fathers like Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD) and Irenaeus (c. 130–202 AD) described these gifts operating in their churches, showing continuity of the apostolic experience.
But, as the church became organized the canon of Scripture solidified, attitudes started to change.
By the 4th century, figures like John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD) noted a decline in miraculous gifts, attributing it to a perceived lack of need or worthiness in the church rather than a theological necessity for cessation.
Some early church fathers, expressed doubt about the continuation of miraculous gifts in their time.
Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) initially leaned toward cessation, suggesting miracles were primarily for the church’s infancy, though he later revised this stance after witnessing healings during a revival in North Africa, as recorded in City of God (Book 22, Chapter 8).
The doctrine as we know it today, took shape during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries.
During the Reformation, some Bible scholars argued that the miraculous gifts were given to validate the apostolic message and were no longer necessary once the canon of Scripture was complete.
Reformers like John Calvin (1509–1564) laid groundwork by emphasizing Scripture’s sufficiency (sola Scriptura), arguing that miraculous gifts were tied to the apostles’ unique role in establishing the church.
Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion (Book IV), implied that such gifts were temporary, though he didn’t fully systematize cessationism.
It was the post-Reformation confessions, like the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), that clearly stated the “former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased,” cementing cessationism in Reformed theology.
The doctrine gained further traction in the 19th and 20th centuries through figures like B.B. Warfield (1851–1921), a Princeton theologian whose book Counterfeit Miracles (1918) argued that sign gifts were exclusively for authenticating the apostles and ceased with the completion of the New Testament canon.
Warfield’s work became a cornerstone for modern cessationism, influencing evangelical thinkers like John MacArthur, who continues to champion this view today.
The rise of Pentecostalism in the early 20th century, which emphasized the continuation of charismatic gifts, prompted a more formalized response from cessationists with a clearer articulation of cessationist theology.
The Key Argument for Cessationism
Cessationists argue that the purpose of miraculous gifts was to confirm the apostolic message, and that the completion of the New Testament canon made these signs no longer necessary.
Hebrews 2:3-4 (WEB), "How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?"
Cessationists believe that certain gifts, like prophecy and healing, were tied to the apostolic office and ceased with the death of the apostles.
They point to the apparent absence of documented miraculous gifts in church history after the apostolic era as evidence of their cessation.
The Errors of Cessationism
While cessationists aim to honor Scripture’s authority, their interpretation of Jesus’ and the apostles’ teachings often rests on assumptions that don’t fully align with the text or its historical context, and we will look at the key missteps of this view.
- Misreading 1 Corinthians 13:8–12
Cessationists frequently cite 1 Corinthians 13 to argue that gifts ceased with the canon’s completion.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (WEB), "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with."
Cessationists often use this passage to argue that gifts like prophecy and tongues will cease when "perfection comes." They interpret “the perfect” as the finalized New Testament Canon.
This reading imposes a modern concept of the closed canon onto a text written decades before the canon was recognized (not until the 4th century).
Paul’s context of “the perfect” refers to the end-time completion at Christ’s return, when “we shall see face to face” (v. 12). The context of scripture shows perfection as the ultimate excellence of all things at the return of Christ, not the completion of the biblical canon.
The phrase "face to face" here points to a personal encounter of "seeing the form of God as He is," for every believer at the coming of Christ, not a book, aligning with biblical uses of “face to face” elsewhere.
Genesis 32:30 (WEB), "Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
Exodus 33:11 (WEB), "Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. He turned again into the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, didn’t depart from the Tent."
1 John 3:2 (WEB), "Beloved, now we are children of God. It is not yet revealed what we will be; but we know that when he is revealed, we will be like him; for we will see him just as he is."
When Paul says, "we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, what is in part disappears;" he points to a future biblical fulfillment of the prophetic era of flawless harmony rather than a supposed cessation in the first century.
The New Testament does not openly state that spiritual gifts would cease after the apostolic era. On the contrary, passages like 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4 show that gifts are given for the building up of the church until perfection at the coming of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13, "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
That which is perfect is a reference to the perfect man, the measure or standard of the stature of the fullness of Christ. This is the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ upon all believers, which we must strive to attain.
Philippians 3:14-15 (WEB), "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you."
- Misreading the Apostolic Foundation
Ephesians 2:20 (WEB), "Being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone."
This assumes “foundation” means a one-time event with no ongoing role for gifts. Jesus, the cornerstone, remains active, and the apostles’ witness, while unique, doesn’t preclude the Spirit’s continued gifting in the church.
1 Peter 2:4-6 (WEB), "Coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.”
Paul’s encouragement to “eagerly desire the greater gifts, especially that you may prophesy” was for the whole Corinthian church broadly, not just apostles (1 Corinthians 14:1).
The cessationist view narrows the Spirit’s work in a way Jesus’ expansive promise of the Spirit “with you forever” doesn’t support (John 14:16).
The cessationist interpretation of Ephesians 2:20 is inconsistent with the rest of the book of Ephesians, especially Chapter 4:8-13 which shows that Christ Jesus gave gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers to the church in His ascension, and they all work until perfection of the church when He comes back.
- Misinterpreting the Purpose of Miracles
Cessationists argue that miracles, healings, and tongues authenticated the apostles’ message; with the message confirmed and Scripture complete, these gifts became obsolete.
Hebrews 2:3-4 (KJV), "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?"
This reduces miracles to mere credentials, ignoring their broader role in Jesus’ ministry and the early church. Jesus healed out of compassion, not just to prove His identity, and promised His followers would do greater works than Him because of His ascension.
Matthew 14:14 (WEB), "Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick."
John 14:12 (WEB), "Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father."
Acts records non-apostles like Stephen (Acts 6:8), Philip (Acts 8:6-7), and Ananias (Acts 9:10-18) performing signs, showing spiritual gifts were not limited to the apostles only.
The cessationist view overlooks the Spirit’s role in edifying the church through miracles, which is not limited to validating it.
1 Corinthians 14:4-5 (LITV), "The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up, but he prophesying builds up an assembly. And I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy. For the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive building up."
- Neglecting the Spirit’s Ongoing Role
Jesus’ teachings don’t hint at a temporary gifting followed by cessation; instead, He promises the Spirit’s ongoing presence, implying continuity of the Spirit’s work.
Jesus’ teaching in John 16:13 that says, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,” is often sidelined by cessationists, who see guidance as limited to Scripture after the canon.
They argue new revelation ceased, equating all prophecy with canonical authority.
This mixes up the authoritative scripture with the Holy Spirit’s dynamic work. Paul distinguishes prophecy for edification (1 Corinthians 14:3) from apostolic teaching, and nowhere does Jesus or the apostles suggest the Spirit’s guidance would stop.
The cessationist view boxes in the Spirit, contradicting Jesus’ promise of an active, indwelling Helper. The Holy Spirit is described as the permanent and active indwelling presence in believers, and is not temporal.
John 14:16-17 (WEB), "I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you."
Ephesians 1:13-14 (WEB), "In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory."
The New Testament portrays the Spirit's gifts as part of His ongoing work in the church. The promise of the infilling of the Holy Spirit is for all generations and for all flesh.
Joel 2:28-29 (WEB) “It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit."
Acts 2:38-39 (WEB), "Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”"
- Argument from Silence and Historical Decline
Cessationists point to the apparent decline of miracles after the apostolic age, as noted by Chrysostom and others, claiming this proves cessation.
The absence of documentation is not absence of occurrence. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Early church writings (e.g., Irenaeus’ Against Heresies) affirm ongoing gifts, and later declines may reflect cultural shifts or abuses (like Montanism), not divine intent.
Jesus and the apostles never set an expiration date for spiritual gifts within the age of the church; Paul’s instructions on gifts in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12–14 assume their relevance for the church’s life, not a temporary phase.
While cessationists point to the apparent absence of gifts in certain periods of church history, this does not necessarily prove cessation in church history.
This argument for cessation is as faulty as it would be to claim that justification by faith ceased in the Roman Catholic Church era, and that the Reformation of Martin Luther came with a false justification.
The Reformation was a 16th-century spiritual movement that sought to reform the erratic practices and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church through the rediscovery of the Bible and its truths, leading to the establishment of Protestantism, out of which the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements grew.
The Pentecostal and Charismatic movements are 20th-century Christian movements characterized by a focus on direct experiences of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues and healing, emphasizing spiritual gifts and a personal relationship with God.
Many Christians today report experiences of spiritual gifts, among which I am also counted.
- Driven by Fear Instead of Faith
While the concern against receiving the wrong spirit is genuine and noble, when it comes to cessationism it is driven by fear and not by faith, which is a sin.
Romans 14:23 (WEB), "...whatever is not of faith is sin."
Instead of worrying in fear about receiving the wrong spirit when we ask God for the outpouring of His Spirit, Jesus promised us that our heavenly Father will not be outdone by our earthly fathers who know how to give the proper gifts. What an assurance!
Luke 11:11-13 (WEB), “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”"
The New Testament does not teach believers to avoid the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in fear, rather it teaches us to test and discern the spirits without quenching the Spirit or despising spiritual gifts.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (WEB), "Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophecies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good."
1 John 4:1 (WEB), "Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
This shows an expectation of ongoing spiritual activity that requires discernment, rather than a cessation of such activity.
The doctrine of cessationism has so many errors when scrutinized from a balanced New Testament perspective, that one will have to go beyond many scriptures, and overlook many others; just to hold on to it.
1 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV), "Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, 'Do not go beyond what is written.' ..."
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
From the scriptures alone, the Holy Spirit emerges as the divine presence and power of God.
In the Old Testament, He is first seen in Genesis 1:2, where “the Spirit of God” hovers over the waters at creation, suggesting a role in bringing life and order.
He is first called “Holy Spirit” in Psalm 51:11, when David pleads, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me,” linking Him to God’s presence and favor.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God Himself, active in the world and in believers. He proceeds from the Father, is poured out by Jesus, and dwells in believers.
John 15:26 (WEB), “When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me."
Acts 2:32-33 (WEB), "This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear."
1 Corinthians 3:16 (WEB), "Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?"
The Holy Spirit the Paraclete, which means the Comforter, and also the Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby.
John 14:26 (AMPC), "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you."
The Spirit is not a vague force but is the Spirit of the invisible and divine person of God who dwells in every believer.
John 4:24 (WEB), "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Isaiah speaks of the Holy Spirit being grieved by rebellion, showing He is more than a force, for He responds.
Isaiah 63:10-11 (WEB), "But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them. Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?”
At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove, marking him as God’s beloved and approved Son.
Matthew 3:16-17 (WEB), "Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as another “Comforter” like Him who will teach and remind His followers of His words (John 14:16-17, 26).
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit comes as wind and fire, filling the apostles with power to speak in tongues and proclaim God’s deeds (Acts 2:2-4).
The Holy Spirit gives gifts like prophecy and wisdom and even intercedes for us from within us during prayer (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 8:26-27).
The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, regenerates, and our seals redemption (John 16:8, Titus 3:5, Ephesians 1:13).
The Holy Spirit speaks, wills, and acts (Acts 13:2, 1 Corinthians 12:11). He is not the Father or Son, but is one with them.
1 John 5:7, "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The promise of the Holy Spirit was foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.
The Promise Foretold in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, there are two forms in which the promise of the Holy Spirit is given: which are the indwelling and the outpouring.
The indwelling is the Spirit within and the outpouring is the Spirit upon the believer.
The Promise of the Indwelling
Through the prophet Ezekiel, God promises to give His people a new heart and to put His Spirit within them, enabling them to follow His statutes and keep His judgments.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (WEB), "I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. You will keep my ordinances and do them."
This is the promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Promise of the Outpouring
The prophet Joel spoke of a time when God would pour out His Spirit on all people, enabling them to prophesy and experience visions and dreams.
Joel 2:28-29, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days."
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is available to all people without exception.
This is the Spirit upon the believer also known as the anointing, which is the outward manifestation of the Holy Spirit's power in the believer's life.
The Promise Given by Jesus
In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirmed and expanded on this promise. Before His crucifixion and resurrection, He spoke to His disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus assured His disciples that He would ask the Father to send them the Holy Spirit as another Comforter of a different kind to Himself (allos Parakletos), to be with them (outpouring) and in them (indwelling) forever after His ascension.
John 14:16-17 (AMPC), "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever — The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you."
Jesus told His disciples that His departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit in His stead was to their advantage.
While walking with Jesus was great, the promised Holy Spirit would be a Comforter in a more personal and powerful way.
John 16:7 (AMP), "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]."
The Fulfillment of the Promise
The Fulfillment of the Indwelling
The promise of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit finds its fulfillment in the New Testament, particularly through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and before the eventual outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
The event happened after Jesus' resurrection and before His ascension, when Jesus breathed on His disciples and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
John 20:21-23 (WEB), "Jesus therefore said to them again, 'Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Whoever’s sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Whoever’s sins you retain, they are retained.'"
This event takes place on the evening of the day Jesus rose from the dead. He appears to His disciples, who are gathered together, and shows them His hands and side to prove that He is indeed alive.
The act of Jesus breathing on the disciples and saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit," echoes the creation account in Genesis 2:7, where God breathes the Spirit of life into Adam.
This act symbolizes the impartation of new spiritual life and empowerment for the disciples' mission.
By receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the disciples are equipped to carry out the ministry Jesus entrusted to them.
This event is a significant moment of receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, separate from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to follow at Pentecost.
This is the fulfillment of the promised indwelling of the Holy Spirit that brings about a transformation in believers, according to Ezekiel's prophecy of a new heart and a new spirit.
The apostle Paul elaborates on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit connecting it with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit living within believers, enabling them to live according to God's will.
Romans 8:9-11 (WEB), "But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."
The Fulfillment of the Outpouring
The promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as prophesied by Joel, is fulfilled in the New Testament on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in the Book of Acts.
Acts 2:1-4 (WEB), "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak."
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, stands up and addresses the crowd, clearly connecting the events of Pentecost with Joel's prophecy.
Acts 2:16-21 (WEB), "But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. It will be that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’"
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was not limited to a select group but was available to all people who would believe in Christ, as Joel had prophesied.
Acts 2:38-39 (WEB), "Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.'"
Both the indwelling and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit were fulfilled, and are both essential parts of the ongoing work of the Spirit in the church today.
THE PURPOSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Why We Need The Holy Spirit In Us
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we receive the gift of salvation, and with it, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:12 (WEB), "But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God."
1 Corinthians 6:17 (WEB), "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit."
This is the Spirit within or the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's heart.
This is the result of salvation, where God's Spirit takes up residence in the believer, making them a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
This miraculous event marks the beginning of a new life in Christ, and it's just the starting point of an incredible journey with the Holy Spirit as our constant companion.
But why do we need the indwelling Spirit, and what is His purpose in our lives?
Conviction and Conversion
Before salvation, the Holy Spirit works in our lives to convict us of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
John 16:8-11 (WEB), "When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; about sin, because they don’t believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged."
The Holy Spirit prepares our hearts to receive the gospel message, drawing us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
In salvation, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives, sealing us as children of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (WEB), "Now he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts."
Ephesians 1:13-14 (WEB), "In him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory."
Regeneration and Renewal
The Spirit within gives new life to the believer in the new birth, making them alive to God.
John 3:5-6, "Jesus answered, 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."
Empowerment for Living
The Holy Spirit is not just a passive presence in our lives; He is active, empowering and He enables us to live a life that honors God.
He produces fruit in our lives, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, and gives us the power to overcome sin and its consequences.
Galatians 5:16, 22-23 (WEB), "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh."
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Guidance and Wisdom
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, helping us to understand God's Word regarding the present and future, and to apply its principles to our lives.
John 16:13 (WEB), "However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming."
1 John 2:20, 27 (WEB), "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge."
"As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him."
The indwelling Holy Spirit provides wisdom, counsel, and direction, ensuring that we make decisions that align with God's will.
Comfort and Assurance
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, the One who brings us peace and comfort in times of distress or uncertainty.
John 14:26, "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."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (WEB), "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
He assures us of our salvation, reminding us that we are children of God, and that we have a secure future in Him.
Romans 8:14-17 (WEB), "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him."
Praying According to the Will of God
We don't know how to pray or what to pray for as we are supposed to pray, but the Holy Spirit causes us to pray according to the will of God as He makes intercessions on our behalf from within us in unspeakable ways.
Romans 8:26-27 (WEB), "In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered. He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God."
Energizing Us To Pray
The Holy Spirit energezises our inner man and weak bodies when we pray by the Spirit in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:4 (WEB), "He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly."
Without the Holy Spirit energizing us, we will not be able to overcome the weakness of the flesh and pray according to the desires of the Spirit.
Matthew 26:40-41 (WEB), "He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”"
Sanctification and Transformation
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of sanctification, helping believers grow in holiness and become more like Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV), "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth."
Unity and Fellowship
The Holy Spirit fosters unity and fellowship among believers, helping to build the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV), "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
The indwelling Holy Spirit helps us to love one another, work together in harmony, and build the church as a community of faith.
Romans 5:5 (WEB), "And hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Without the Holy Spirit, the church would struggle to maintain the unity and fellowship that are essential for its mission.
Why We Need the Holy Spirit Upon Us
While we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit at salvation, we can also experience a later infilling or baptism with the Holy Spirit, which empowers us for effective ministry.
Empowerment for Witness and Ministry
One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit is to empower believers for witness and ministry.
Acts 1:8 (WEB), "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit equips believers with the boldness, courage, and supernatural power needed to share the gospel and serve others effectively.
Mark 16:20 (WEB), "They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen."
Acts 4:8-12 (WEB), "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!”"
Without the Holy Spirit, our efforts to spread the good news and serve in ministry would lack the divine strength and impact.
Gifts and Ministries
The Spirit upon believers is often associated with spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, healing, and prophecy. The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers for the edification and growth of the church.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV), "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
The gifts of the Spirit are manifestations of the Spirit's presence and power.
Acts 2:4 (WEB), "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak."
These gifts are diverse and varied, but all are designed to bring glory to God and benefit the church.
Anointing For Ministry Office
The Spirit upon is the anointing that sets believers apart for specific tasks in different ministry offices and duties, providing a special enablement.
Acts 13:2-3 (WEB), "As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."
Jesus Christ was anointed to preach the gospel with the confirmation of miracles.
Luke 4:17-19 (WEB), "The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”"
Without the Spirit, Christianity becomes empty religion.
Embracing Both the Indwelling and Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
Recognizing the importance of both the Spirit within and the Spirit upon is essential for every believer.
A balanced understanding of the Holy Spirit's work helps prevent extremes, such as overemphasizing the indwelling Spirit within leading to passivity, or the Spirit upon leading to a focus on spectacular manifestations at the expense of inward transformation.
Inward transformation by the indwelling Spirit is crucial for your personal character, and outward manifestation by the Spirit upon is essential for your ministry to others.
Appreciating both aspects of the Holy Spirit's work promotes a holistic understanding of the Christian life, which encompasses both inner transformation and outward expression.
The Spirit upon is the feminine aspect of the Holy Spirit for effective ministry through the gifts of the Spirit, while the Spirit is the masculine aspect of the Holy Spirit for a character of integrity through the fruits of the Spirit.
Acknowledging the Spirit within encourages believers to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, while the Spirit upon inspires them to step out in faith and trust God for His power and guidance.
Christians who receive the Spirit within and reject the Spirit upon (Cessationists) emphasize a personal relationship with God and are limited I'm ministry to personal witnessing and disciple making. They can not effectively preach in public outside the church as it requires the anointing upon.
Christians who emphasize the Spirit upon at the expense of Spirit within (Charismatics) major on public ministry and lack the fruit of a personal relationship with God, which is character. They can not effectively model Christ to others as it requires the anointing within.
The Spirit within and the Spirit upon are two interconnected yet distinct aspects of the Holy Spirit's work in the life of a believer. Understanding and embracing both is crucial for a vibrant, balanced, and effective Christian life.
HOW TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Background of The Infilling
The believer is commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit instead of being drunk with wine.
Ephesians 5:18, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit just as a drunk person is under the influence of alcohol.
This is what Peter had to explain about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:4, 6-8, 12-17 (WEB), "They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak."
"When this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? How do we hear, everyone in our own native language?"
"They were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams."
Common Questions and Answers
Q: Can all believers be filled with the Spirit?
A: Yes! The promise is “for you and your children, and for all who are far off” (Acts 2:39).
Q: Is being “filled” a one-time event?
A: No—it’s a daily reliance. Paul said, “Be filled” (Ephesians 5:18), which literally means “keep being filled.”
Q: What if I don’t feel different?
A: Faith, not feelings, is key. Trust God’s promise and obey—the fruit will follow.
Practical Steps to be Filled with the Holy Spirit
Repentance and Faith
The first step is salvation. Repentance and faith are the basic conditions required to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit, both the indwelling and the outpouring.
Acts 2:38 (WEB), "Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The hearing of faith is the only act of obedience required to receive the Holy Spirit, and there are no other legal requirements such as circumcision.
Acts 5:32 (WEB), "We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Galatians 3:2, 5 (WEB), "I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?"
"He therefore who supplies the Spirit to you and does miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?"
The only circumcision that is pleasing to God is the circumcision of Christ, which is baptism in His name as a way of presenting our bodies to God as an instrument of righteousness and a living sacrifice.
Colossians 2:11-12 (WEB), "In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Romans 6:4, 13 (WEB), "We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life."
"Also, do not present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."
Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
But sometimes water baptism will follow after the receiving of the Holy Spirit. When Cornelius and the Gentiles from his house came to Peter, they were filled with the Holy while Peter was preaching and they were only baptized in water afterwards.
Acts 10:44-48 (WEB), "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days."
This is also what happened to me. I was filled with the Holy Spirit as a 12 year old and only got baptized in water 2 years later as a 15 year old.
Placing your faith in Christ is the only requirement with Christ's promise to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
John 7:37-39 (WEB), "Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified."
Below is a prayer of repentance for salvation to receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Pray in faith saying out loud;
"Dear God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Maker of heaven and earth, and the Father of our Lord Jesus.
I know that I am a sinner and have fallen short of Your glory. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day.
I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I ask for Your forgiveness and mercy, and I invite Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior.
Help me to live a life that honors You, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
If you have prayed this out loud in faith, congratulations! You have received the Spirit within your heart. Now let's go to the next step;
Asking For the Outpouring in Prayer
Regularly pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus commanded us.
Luke 11:9-13 (WEB), “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Now you are going to pray asking for the gift of the Holy Spirit and be ready to be filled with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Be open and willing to follow where the Spirit leads, even if it challenges your comfort zone.
Trust God’s promise, not your feelings. The Holy Spirit is received by faith, is not earned by works.
Galatians 3:13-14 (WEB), "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."
Here's a short prayer for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Say it out loud in faith:
"Dear God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Maker of heaven and earth, and the Father of our Lord Jesus.
I am a sinner, and there is nothing good in me. Cleanse me from sin and take away my iniquity.
I know that You are the good Father of lights without a shadow of turning, and who gives good and perfect gifts to those who ask.
So, I come to You in faith, asking You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit, just as You promised.
I desire to be empowered to live a life that honors You, to be a witness of Your love and power, and to serve You with boldness and effectiveness.
Thank you for filling me, Lord, with Your presence, power, and wisdom.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
You are filled with the Holy Spirit! Go ahead and speak in other tongues as He gives you utterance. Hallelujah!
