"Be" Step 3 | Be Filled
Jesus believed that being filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit was so important that He commanded His disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were filled. When they were filled, they not only spoke in tongues, but 3,000 people were impacted by their preaching and joined their new church. Being filled with the Spirit gives us power to minister to people (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).
Several passages in the New Testament suggest we should pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit immediately after we are baptized in water. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit immediately after He was baptized, while He was praying. He was probably praying to be filled with the Spirit (Luke 3:21–22; 4:1). On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said to the multitude,“ Repent and be baptized... and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). And the apostle Paul baptized some disciples in water and immediately laid his hands on them to be filled with the Spirit (Acts 19:5–6).
Tongues is a spiritual language the Holy Spirit helps a person speak once they’re filled with the Spirit. Jesus taught that speaking in tongues is a sign that would accompany those who believe (Mark 16:17). Though tongues is a language the person speaking does not understand, the apostles Paul and Jude said we edify and build ourselves up spiritually when we pray in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5; Jude 1:20). Praying in tongues also allows the Holy Spirit to pray perfect prayers through us (Romans 8:26–27).
Since Jesus and the New Testament teach all believers to be empowered by being filled with the Holy Spirit and praying in a spiritual language (tongues), we should encourage everyone to ask God to fill them with the Spirit immediately after being baptized in water.
Read: Acts 19:1–7
Retell: Let each person restate the story in their own words to show they understand it.
Discuss:
Complete Practical Training: PT-3 "God's Power"
Several passages in the New Testament suggest we should pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit immediately after we are baptized in water. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit immediately after He was baptized, while He was praying. He was probably praying to be filled with the Spirit (Luke 3:21–22; 4:1). On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said to the multitude,“ Repent and be baptized... and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). And the apostle Paul baptized some disciples in water and immediately laid his hands on them to be filled with the Spirit (Acts 19:5–6).
Tongues is a spiritual language the Holy Spirit helps a person speak once they’re filled with the Spirit. Jesus taught that speaking in tongues is a sign that would accompany those who believe (Mark 16:17). Though tongues is a language the person speaking does not understand, the apostles Paul and Jude said we edify and build ourselves up spiritually when we pray in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5; Jude 1:20). Praying in tongues also allows the Holy Spirit to pray perfect prayers through us (Romans 8:26–27).
Since Jesus and the New Testament teach all believers to be empowered by being filled with the Holy Spirit and praying in a spiritual language (tongues), we should encourage everyone to ask God to fill them with the Spirit immediately after being baptized in water.
Read: Acts 19:1–7
Retell: Let each person restate the story in their own words to show they understand it.
Discuss:
What lessons does this passage teach us?
What was Paul’s first question to the disciples in Acts 19, and why?
After what event were the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit, and how?
Is anyone ready to be filled with the Holy Spirit? If so, when can we pray for you?
Complete Practical Training: PT-3 "God's Power"