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Stephen was full of the Spirit - Acts 6:10
Stephen was full of the Spirit - Acts 6:10
"To be filled with" is an interesting phrase that appears in our New Testaments. According to a computer search on the ESV, it appears 34 times. They were said to be filled with many things.
A room was said to be 'filled with' people (Matt. 22:10), boats filled with water (Luke 8:23), houses filled with fragrance of perfume (John 12:3), the sanctuary filled with smoke (Rev. 15:8). Those watching the events at Jesus crucifixion were 'filled with awe' (Matt. 27:54; cp. also Luke 4:26). Similarly some were 'filled with wonder' (Acts 3:10).
The disciples were 'filled with fear' when Jesus stilled the storm (Mark 4:41; cp. also Luke 2:9). Those that opposed Jesus were filled with wrath (Luke 4:28; cp. also 'fury' Luke 6:11). Some people were filled with jealousy (Acts 5:17; 13:45), and others were filled with joy (Acts 13:52; 2 Tim. 1:4). Disciples were filled with wisdom (Luke 2:40); knowledge (Rom. 15:14; Col. 1:9); and comfort (2 Cor. 7:4). The apostles were accused of being 'filled with new wine' (Acts 2:13). The crowd at Ephesus was filled with confusion (Acts 19:29). Paul even declared that some were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice (Rom. 1:29)
People were said to be 'filled with the Spirit'. At times, this being filled was a preface to their giving an inspired message (Luke 1:15, 41, 67; Acts 2:4;). Yet, although most disciples were NOT inspired or given revelations from God, they are exhorted to be 'filled with the Spirit' (Eph. 5:18).
A common thought in these cases is that the basic meaning appears to mean 'that leading element or emotion that controls a person'. Those filled with 'wrath, envy, and jealousy' were led to attempt to do harm to their 'opponent'. Those filled with all manner of unrighteousness, were thus led to participate in sin. When we are filled with the Spirit, we thus are being led by the Spirit, and thus the Spirit is the force that is controlling and energizing our thoughts and actions.
The sword of the Spirit is used to accomplish this is the Word of God. We are to let the word of God dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). The more that we know and follow what the Spirit revealed in the Word, the more we are being led by the Spirit. The more we imbibe of the disposition and attitudes revealed by the Spirit the more we are filled with the Spirit. The less we know from the Word the less we are controlled by the principles, attitudes, and concepts of the Spirit. Let us then be filled "with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:18-21).
Hugh DeLong
