In the Baptist circles that we travel in, it could be said that there are some words associated with the Holy Spirit that make us slightly uncomfortable. Ok, let’s be honest, due to the rise of Pentecostal theology, they make us very uncomfortable. Indwelling is a word we seem comfortable with but as we move towards words like filling and baptism our theological ground begins to shake. Often we simply say something like, “they all mean the same thing and praise God for that. Now let’s all take our dish to pass and go eat.” These words do not need to strike us with fear but with joy…a joy unspeakable. For the work of the Holy Spirit is for the glory of God and our enjoyment of Him.

First, let us look at the one with which we are most comfortable. Romans 8:9 speaks of the indwelling of the Spirit, “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” This indwelling is a seal that occurs at the time of conversion. It is related to regeneration and provides for our sanctification. It is a permanent arrangement as I Corinthians 3:16 points out that we are the temple of God in which the Spirit abides. These truths are bringing us comfort as we face the world.

The other words associated with the Spirit can also bring us both comfort as well as joy. Both words are used often in the scriptures. The concept of baptism of the Holy Spirit is used in all four Gospels and by both Paul and Luke, but not always in the same vain. For Paul, baptism of the Spirit is connected with regeneration. In I Corinthinas 12:12 and 13 Paul speaks of being baptized into the body of Christ, which is a clear reference to regeneration. Paul would see this as a one-time event that occurs at the point of salvation. But Luke uses the phrase differently. It is related to the experience of Pentecost and is more related to filling of the spirit. In Acts 11 Luke talks about gentiles having had the Spirit move upon them, being baptized by the Holy Spirit, were like the believers at Pentecost. And in his description of that experience in the upper room in Acts 2 he uses the word “filling”.

Filling of the Holy Spirit is an ongoing and repeated experience. It is used in scripture many times and is often followed by an act of power. Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones discussed this topic in his book Joy Unspeakable. For him, filling of the Spirit could be described as situations where the Spirit comes upon people and enables them to act. The words they use, the actions they take are beyond what they normally would experience. It is a ministry of the Spirit in both the lives of the listener and the speaker. Dr. Jones says that the filling of the spirit is “to enable God’s people to witness in such a manner that it becomes a phenomenon and people are arrested and are attracted.” (Joy Unspeakable, p. 84) This experience brings us joy in seeing the Glory of God worked out in a transforming way. The joy is not because of our efforts but because it is obviously of God and for His glory.

Kevin Farmer, Will Uminn, Phil Meade, Dana Arledge