Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Indwelt vs. Infilled | John 20:22 | Makarios | 104314 | ||
Kaylo199, The apparent contradiction between the teaching of repeated fillings of the Holy Spirit for particular needs, and a life consistently characterized by the fullness of the Spirit, is easily resolved by noting again the key concept of "control." If a person allows his actions to be controlled in any degree by wine- or by drugs, or by money, or by pride, or by anything else- then, of course, he is not controlled by the Holy Spirit, and he is, therefore, not filled with the Spirit. On certain occasions of great need, or great conviction, however, a Christian may for a time truly become filled (that is, controlled in his words and deeds) by the Holy Spirit. Too often, however, he soon lapses back into his old ways and, even though he may be a sincere and generally good Christian, really allows other things to rule his life most of the time. But how much better if he habitually and regularly looks for direction for his life in all circumstances to God the Holy Spirit, and carefully and conscientiously follows His leading and enabling in meeting every need. He then is a man of whom it can properly be said that he is "full of the Holy Spirit." The definitive passage, which summarizes all the rest, is Ephesians 5:18. The NASB has "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit". The context of this verse is very important. Leading up to it, evidently because these are prerequisites to a truly Spirit-controlled life, are admonitions to "walk circumspectly" (Eph. 5:15), to "redeem the time" (Eph. 5:16), and to "understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17). That is, one can hardly expect to have a Spirit-controlled life unless he is really concerned to order all his behavior and to use all his time in a way that conforms to God's will. He must allow nothing else (of which "wine" is the typical example) to gain any control over his life. And then, following the verse, are given the results and manifestations of a Spirit-filled life. It will be a life filled with true joy and "melody in your heart," and a tongue used to speak and to sing God's Word (Ephesians 5:19). It will be a life characterized not by complaining and envying, but rather of continual thankfulness "for all things" (Eph. 5:20), always "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Furthermore, the Spirit-filled life is one in which the spirit of pride and self-seeking which so typically characterize the natural man are displaced by a spirit of submission and unselfishness (Eph. 5:21). In short, a Christian life filled and controlled by God the Holy Spirit is the life of greatest joy and victory which a person can have, since it is the life which God Himself desires His children to experience. That is how I would differentiate between being full of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Unless otherwise indicated, these two posts were created by sole use of the King James Version. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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2 | Indwelt vs. Infilled | John 20:22 | Ray | 104381 | ||
Hi Makarios, I, too, thought that you did an excellent job with a lot of thought and time put into your posts. I would like to hear your thoughts on the concept of "control" as regards Ephesians 5:18. I know that I have talked with Kalos in #73280 and #59447 and would appreciate your reading them to learn where we are coming from. I would ask you where "control" is inferred in the verse. I think a look at "dissipation" would also be in order. 1) I believe that the concepts of "be filled with" and "receiving" revolve around THE GIFT from the Giver, the Holy Spirit. This gift I believe is holy spirit. From the heart, Ray |
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3 | Indwelt vs. Infilled | John 20:22 | Makarios | 104391 | ||
Greetings Ray! Thank you! I did not actually write that post in a single day's time.. I had actually started writing that one about 2 weeks ago, when a lady asked a question in my Sunday School class about the 'infilling' versus the 'indwelling' of the Holy Spirit, and I resolved myself to come up with a solid, Biblical answer to that question, since I didn't have one at that time. So, I took it upon myself to write what I knew and do a lengthy study on that subject, using the King James Version, and all that was needed was a few "finishing touches", and it was set, all ready to be posted here on the Forum. But that took a great deal of my time, and I do appreciate your thanks and for being recognized for it. Now, onto the study! :-) As for Ephesians 5:18 and the concept of "control", I have already pretty well covered that verse in my long 2-part post. As for post #73280, I believe that Jesus very well could have given the disciples a "filling" of the Holy Spirit, even though they would not have been 'indwelt' by Him until Pentecost. If you notice in John 20, Jesus gives them a "filling" of the Holy Spirit in verse 22, but it doesn't last for long, as Peter goes off fishing in John 21:3 when he really should have been going up to Galilee (Matthew 26:32; 28:10,16) with the other disciples. Perhaps the "filling" in John 20:22 was to help them believe that He rose from the dead. Perhaps it was to prepare them for the commission (John 20:21; Matthew 28:19-21) that He was about to give to them. As for post #59447, I do agree with what you have said there already, and I see Kalos's statement regarding what is meant by "control." What I mean by control is this: that we are allowing our actions and our lives to be "influenced" by the Holy Spirit- we are habitually and regularly looking for direction in all circumstances in our lives from God the Holy Spirit; being sure to follow His leading. That is what is meant by the word "control." We voluntarily appeal to the Holy Spirit for direction in our lives. We also could voluntarily drink an alcoholic beverage, which also can influence or exert a type of "control" (bondage is more accurate) over a person. But the Holy Spirit will never regulate, obligate, or put a person under 'bondage', which is what I believe that Kalos meant when he was quoting to you from Webster's dictionary. And Kalos is quite correct! :-) As for "Holy Spirit" being opposed to "holy spirit", you've got me there, my friend! :-) I'm stumped! You see, I see no distinction between "Holy Spirit" and "holy spirit", since there is only One who is good and holy, and that is God. But you may disagree with me on "Holy Spirit" vs "holy spirit"! :-) Blessings to you, Makarios |
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