Footsteps #13

What does it mean when it says Paul was “filled with the Spirit?”(Acts.9:17) The expression occurs 27 times in the NT ( and 67 times in the OT.) I have looked up every one of them and share with you the important pattern that emerges. Almost without exception those that are filled with the Spirit say something, e.g. “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” Acts.4:31NLT. Notice the pattern Filled – speak the word of God boldly!

“¹⁷ So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts.9:17 NLT)

At Pentecost Acts2:4(NLT) says, “And everyone present (the 120) were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” The term “speaking in tongues” is a hangover from the 1511 KJV translation. Modern translations correctly translate it as languages. Notice v6; when the disciples spoke in languages there were people from ‘every nation under heaven’ and they all heard them speaking in their own language. Vs8-11 lists the 16 languages spoken.

Establishing patterns is important for ascertaining truth. The first occurrence of anything in the Bible becomes the measuring stick by which to evaluate all subsequent occurrences. Pentecost was clearly an act of Gospel communication. Peter was the only one not speaking in foreign languages. The Jews of Jerusalem were confounded, saying they were perhaps drunk (obviously they were excited.) Peter becomes the interpreter of what was being said, and from v14 he proceeds to explain to the local Jews the message that others were hearing in their own language.

Notice what happens with Stephen – chosen because he was a man “full of the Holy Spirit (Acts.6:3). Stephen’s speech, which is a panoramic view of salvation history (Acts 7,) is the lengthiest in the book of Acts. In v55 it says, “filled with the Holy Spirit…he said.” Saul was in his audience. Acts.9:17-20 Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit, he was healed of his blindness, he was baptized and “immediately he proclaimed Jesus saying, “He is the Son of God.” Those who are ‘filled’ speak and people understand what is spoken. TBC

“³ And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.” (Acts.6:3 NLT)