The Filling of the Holy Spirit (1)
Ernest L. Easley
Ephesians 5:18
Last time together we considered ''The Baptism of the Holy Spirit'' and now from Ephesians 5 we turn our attention to what the Bible teaches about ''The Filling of the Holy Spirit.''
Last week, I took a little stroll through our church building and took a theological survey among random people I came across. Some of them were staff people, others were church members that were doing a bible study. Their ages ranged from in the 20's to the 70's. Some came out of a Baptist background while others didn't.
A side note: if pastors and teachers want their preaching and teaching to land where people live, they ought to start by listening to what their members believe. All you have to do is ask them! It can be very revealing.
I had a two-question survey:
1. Are you a Spirit-filled Christian and why?
2. Have you been baptized by the Holy Spirit?
Here are a few of their answers:
1. Are you a Spirit-filled Christian and why?
* ''Yes, because I hear God talk to me and I study His word and know His mission.''
* ''Yes, if you know Him you're Spirit-filled.''
* ''Yes, living in the power of the Holy Spirit and asking His guidance in how to live.''
* ''Yes, the moment I was saved He filled me.''
* ''Yes, because I'm constantly seeking more about Christ and because I spend time with Him.''
* ''Yes, He fills me as I continuously walk with Him.''
* ''Is this like a Miss America pageant question?''
No one when asked if they were a Spirit-filled Christian said, ''no.''
2. Have you been baptized by the Holy Spirit?''
* ''I really can't define it.''
* ''Yes, when I got serious about Him.''
* ''The two are synonymous.''
* ''Yes, when I got slain in the Spirit.''
* ''I'm not sure. It's murkier to me than being Spirit-filled.''
My random survey confirmed what I've always believed: there's a lot of confusion when it comes to both the baptism of the Hol ...
Ernest L. Easley
Ephesians 5:18
Last time together we considered ''The Baptism of the Holy Spirit'' and now from Ephesians 5 we turn our attention to what the Bible teaches about ''The Filling of the Holy Spirit.''
Last week, I took a little stroll through our church building and took a theological survey among random people I came across. Some of them were staff people, others were church members that were doing a bible study. Their ages ranged from in the 20's to the 70's. Some came out of a Baptist background while others didn't.
A side note: if pastors and teachers want their preaching and teaching to land where people live, they ought to start by listening to what their members believe. All you have to do is ask them! It can be very revealing.
I had a two-question survey:
1. Are you a Spirit-filled Christian and why?
2. Have you been baptized by the Holy Spirit?
Here are a few of their answers:
1. Are you a Spirit-filled Christian and why?
* ''Yes, because I hear God talk to me and I study His word and know His mission.''
* ''Yes, if you know Him you're Spirit-filled.''
* ''Yes, living in the power of the Holy Spirit and asking His guidance in how to live.''
* ''Yes, the moment I was saved He filled me.''
* ''Yes, because I'm constantly seeking more about Christ and because I spend time with Him.''
* ''Yes, He fills me as I continuously walk with Him.''
* ''Is this like a Miss America pageant question?''
No one when asked if they were a Spirit-filled Christian said, ''no.''
2. Have you been baptized by the Holy Spirit?''
* ''I really can't define it.''
* ''Yes, when I got serious about Him.''
* ''The two are synonymous.''
* ''Yes, when I got slain in the Spirit.''
* ''I'm not sure. It's murkier to me than being Spirit-filled.''
My random survey confirmed what I've always believed: there's a lot of confusion when it comes to both the baptism of the Hol ...
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