Acts 4:8 And Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit….
Reflection: Sermon Thoughts: An Empowered Gospel, Part 3
Written By: Pastor Jesse Caro There is a debate in theological circles as to what “being filled with the Holy Spirit” means. It gets a bit complicated because we must also define what it is to be “baptized with the Spirit.” I am going to try to settle this millennia-old debate in a few sentences (just kidding). Here is a stab at it: to be filled with the Spirit must be something we can control since it is commanded. That is, if we were constantly filled, we would not be commanded to do so. Therefore, it is likely not something that happens necessarily at conversion. However, the baptism of the Spirit does happen at conversion and simply refers to the process whereby we are placed into the Body of Christ. That is my simple, bare bones, explanation. Peter is filled with the Spirit as he shares the gospel in front of his interrogators. He needed the Spirit’s help if he was to speak with clarity and conviction. My running assumption is that the Holy Spirit did not fill him in the sense that he imposed himself (forced himself) onto Peter. No! Peter was empty of his own goals and ambitions (along with his fears and anxieties) in such a way that he yielded himself to the Spirit of God. I contend that it is that disposition (a disposition of “use me Lord… I am yours) that is needed to be filled with God. And it is a filling of the Spirit necessary to preach the Gospel in a way that is powerful and compelling.
Prayer Lord, may we be full of your Spirit today and empty of our selfishness and pride. May we be empty of ourselves and full of You such that God may be glorified in us!
