“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:1-2a).

The disciples at Ephesus believed in repentance but were unaware of the full plan of salvation available through Jesus Christ. Upon hearing the good news, they were baptized. Paul then laid hands on them, prayed, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.Read more

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” —John 7:38-39

The essence of full salvation is founded in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit brings life and vitality to those who have been filled with the sweetness of His presence. What a wonderful experience to have the Spirit make His abode in this earthly temple.Read more

Scripture Reading:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…. —Acts 2:1-4a

Summary:

Jesus died to save people from their sins and to provide for a personal experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit equips the believer to live a holy life through divine power, leadership, and comfort. Read more

The Holy Spirit Is Given

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit fell from heaven (Acts 2:1-4) and filled the hearts of 120 believers. These believers were the first of the New Testament church to experience the fullness of God’s plan which was accomplished through Jesus Christ. In a time of ritualistic, ceremonial worship with a history of sin and spiritual failure, Jesus brought salvation to earth so mankind could live victorious and holy lives through the atonement of the blood and by the power of the Holy Spirit.Read more

Question:

After one has been filled with the Holy Spirit, is he then free from human weaknesses and temptations?

Answer:

No. As long as we are in this life, there will be weaknesses and temptations of the flesh. The difference is that with the Holy Spirit, there is greater power and divine ability to overcome the temptations. The Apostle Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” We must continually die out to self and keep ourselves submitted to God. If we fail to continually yield to the Lord, we can lose our very salvation. In this life, man will always have the capability to sin because of free will. Before the infilling of the Holy Spirit, one’s inclination is toward sin. Afterward, his inclination is toward holiness because of the sanctifying power of the Spirit.Read more