by Dave Root, VividChristianity.com, last modified on 07/16/2024.

As you read this section, keep in mind that the New Testament is not merely a history book, it's meant to change us to become more and more like Jesus. When we read any passages in the New Testament, our goal should be to discern what God wants us to believe and do so that we can be obedient to Him.


(This information comes from chapter 5 in the free PDF of my book called Divine Healing Absolutely Is for Today.)

Below are all of the passages in the New Testament that describe Jesus and Christians being filled with or full of the Spirit.

But what does it mean to be filled with or full of the Spirit?

The moment we receive salvation, the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts, which pastors and Bible teachers refer to as the indwelling Holy Spirit. We don't receive a partial amount of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, and being filled with or full of the Spirit doesn't mean that somehow we have more of Him than before. Either we have Him inside us or we don't.

In Ephesians 5:18 (below), Paul made a direct comparison between being drunk and being filled with the Spirit. One reason is because alcohol influences people's thoughts, words, and actions, usually accompanied by a boldness to say and do things they wouldn't say or do otherwise. In a similar way, when we're filled with the Spirit, He influences our thoughts, words, and actions, which might also be accompanied by a boldness to say and do things we wouldn't say or do otherwise.

Paul said not to be drunk with wine but to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, below). Just as we can choose to be drunk, we can choose to be filled with the Spirit. When we're drunk, we've given up much of our control to the alcohol. In order to be filled with the Spirit, we must give up much of our control to the Spirit. Praying in tongues frequently throughout the day (see my article called Cheat Sheet #07) recharges our spiritual batteries, fills our soul (our mind, will, emotions, personality, etc. - see my article called Cheat Sheet #19) more and more with the Spirit, and enables us to give up more of our control to the Spirit. It's important that we work on having a closer and closer relationship with the Lord, and this is one way to do that. This allows God's power and spiritual gifts to work through us to accomplish the assignments that He needs us to do.

Paul said that if we're drunk with wine, then essentially we'll be led by the alcohol into dissipation or debauchery. Similarly, being filled with the Spirit involves being led by the Spirit.

In the passages below, each time we're told what happened when people were filled with the Spirit, notice that they were led by the Spirit to do something, usually involving speaking with boldness.

Ideally, we all would be in a constant state of being filled with the Spirit (my series called How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit explains what the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is and how to receive it, which enables us to be open to the filling of the Spirit). Realistically, we all get caught up in the busyness of our daily lives. But the more we get our minds off of ourselves and off of the world and the more we allow ourselves to be filled with the Spirit (led by the Spirit), the more effective we'll be in the assignments that the Lord needs us to do as His body here on earth.

Relevant passages:

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4:1)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! (Acts 4:8)

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:2-6)

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55-56)

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. (Acts 9:17-20)

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (Acts 11:22-24)

But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (Acts 13:8-11)

But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:50-52)

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Have you chosen to receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit in obedience to God (see my article called Cheat Sheet #06), and are you allowing yourself to be filled with the Spirit every day, being led by Him and carrying out the assignments that He needs you to do?