The Bible consistently commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and not only does it command us but it also gives us examples through the apostle’s lives on how to be filled with the Spirit. But what does the Bible say about this event happening more than once? Is it a one-time experience, or a recurring event? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In answer to that question, being filled with the Holy Spirit is a recurring event. However, when we receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit for the first time this is called the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is an initial one-time experience. But after the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we are consistently exhorted by scripture to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit, and this is a daily practice. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let me break that down a little bit so it’s easier to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As I mentioned earlier, when we are first filled with the Holy Spirit, this is called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is the initial immersion into the Spirit of God. This is what happened on the day of Pentecost for the apostles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “He (Jesus) commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He<\/em> said,<\/em> “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit<\/strong> not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one<\/em> sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit<\/strong> and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notice how the term “baptized in the Holy Spirit” and “filled with the Holy Spirit” are used interchangeably in these passages. This is because when the Spirit of God baptizes us He is filling us with Himself and immersing us into Himself at the same time. It is similar to a cup becoming so full of water that it overflows onto the outside as well. This is what happens when we receive the Spirit of God for the first time. (Related article: Baptism in the Holy Spirit<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every time the Bible mentions being filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time it is either called the baptism in the Holy Spirit, or it is called receiving the Holy Spirit. Here are some scriptures to illustrate: <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit<\/strong>” (Acts 8:14-15). <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n “Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have<\/em><\/strong>?<\/em>” (Acts 10:46-47)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed<\/strong>?” (Acts 19:1-2)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, I didn’t have the space to fill in all of the stories for each scripture, but if you notice every one of those scriptures is an account of the apostles dealing with new disciples, people who have just accepted Christ, and their focus is for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen do we receive the Holy Spirit for the first time?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n