How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit in the Three Dimensions

Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:2 ESV)

Scriptures reveal we receive the Spirit( being filled) at three different moments—new birth, baptism of the Spirit, and continuous infilling. Similarly, we also find distinct methods that God uses to fill us with the Spirit—impartation, prayer, and the Word. This devotional will briefly describe how we can be filled with the Spirit in all three dimensions—especially the continuous infilling for everyday supernatural living.

We first receive the Spirit of God at the new birth—the first infilling. What did you do to become a child of God? First, you heard the Word and believed, and then you prayed and asked Jesus to come into your heart. That was it! The first infilling took place by the Word and by prayer.

The second infilling—distinct from salvation—occurs during what is traditionally called the baptism of the Spirit. There are debates on the reality of this second infilling and the terminologies used to describe it. I will not deal with those here. Scriptures show us how prayer, impartation, and the Word are used as agencies to be baptized in the Spirit. In Acts 2:2, the Apostles were filled during prayer. However, in Acts 8:17, we are told, “ Then laid they(the Apostles) their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost” (Acts 8:17 KJV). This is impartation. Again, in Acts 10:44, the Gentiles were filled with the Spirit as they heard the words Peter spoke. You can be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit through any of these avenues wherever you are!

The third infilling is what I refer to as continuous infilling. It is the reward you receive for a healthy devotional life of spending time with God in prayer and the Word. It also occurs during impartation from other believers, as I have taught before.

Wherever you are in the faith, be filled with the Holy Spirit—every day!

Join me tonight for Deshen Live Bible study as I teach on “What Does it Mean to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?”

Where are you in the Spirit-filled spectrum—new birth, baptism, or continuous?

You have already been filled with the Spirit in the first dimension if you are a believer. If you are not, please receive Jesus and be filled immediately with His wonderful Spirit. After the new birth, be filled in the second dimension, which comes with power and spiritual gifts. Still, you need a daily continuous infilling in the third dimension after the second dimension! Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess but be filled with the Spirit!

Ask the Father to help you be filled with the Spirit every day.