Scripture for Reflection: “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 4:31
NLT).
More Than a One-Time Experience
Throughout the Book of Acts, we see that believers were repeatedly filled with the Holy Spirit, not because the Spirit had left them, but because God’s purposes required fresh empowerment for specific moments. While the Holy Spirit was first poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2) in a dramatic, once-for-all historical moment that birthed the Church, He continued to fill believers repeatedly afterward.
Just as a person can be “filled with courage” or “filled with joy” again and again, the filling of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time experience but can be ongoing and situational, as seen in the book of Acts. Peter and John had just been released from the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling council) after being warned not to speak in the name of Jesus. They return to the community of believers, report what happened, and the group responds by praying together.
“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 4:31).
After they prayed, God responded, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. The fresh filling led to fearless preaching despite threats from the authorities.
Why Ongoing Filling Matters
The filling of the Holy Spirit isn’t just an emotional rush or a spiritual “high” to make us feel good. It is a divine empowerment for witness, service, courage, and truth. In Acts 4:31, the believers had already received the Spirit at Pentecost, but after facing threats and persecution, they prayed. God responded with a renewed filling of the Holy Spirit, and they preached with boldness.
In each instance in Acts, the filling of the Spirit equipped believers with what they needed at the moment:
- Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit to speak boldly and wisely before the Sanhedrin despite facing threats of persecution (Acts 4:8).
- Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and, had a vision of Jesus and God’s glory in heaven, and received courage and peace in the face of martyrdom (Acts 6:5; 7:55).
- Paul was filled to confront opposition (Elymas the sorcerer) with supernatural authority and discernment (Acts 13:9).
- The church was filled to endure persecution and to continue proclaiming the gospel with joy (Acts 13:52).
I have personally experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit on numerous occasions, especially during moments of prayer, evangelism, or speaking engagements. In each instance, the Holy Spirit empowers me with a boldness and strength that far surpasses my natural abilities. These examples teach us one thing: The filling of the Holy Spirit is deeply connected to God’s purposes in specific situations, such as witnessing, serving, demonstrating courage, and boldly proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Who Can Be Filled?
If you are a believer and you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, you can receive a fresh filling or fire again and again. It is not an initial baptism in the Holy Spirit or receiving a “new Spirit,” but rather about being refreshed, led, and emboldened for a specific mission or responsibility. It is an ongoing experience of being empowered by the Spirit.
How Do We Receive the Filling?
We receive the filling of the Holy Spirit primarily through intentional openness and responsiveness to God, especially during moments of prayer, challenge, or divine assignment. In the Book of Acts, believers were often filled with the Spirit when they earnestly prayed together, when they faced persecution, or when they were about to step into a new mission or responsibility. The renewed filling with the Spirit is an ongoing, timely empowerment that God gives to equip His people for specific moments of need, service, or witness.
The Spirit’s filling can be deeply personal or communal, as seen in Acts 4:31 when the entire group of believers was filled after a united prayer. The key is being available and responsive to God. The filling doesn’t come by striving or formula but by yielding to the Lord in faith, humility, and dependence. You don’t always need to ask for it formally. But you should be open to continual renewal. Just as you eat daily for physical strength, we need to stay spiritually nourished through ongoing communion with the Spirit.
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fill me afresh today for Your purpose. Give me boldness to witness, wisdom to serve, courage to stand, and discernment to speak truth. Let me live not in my strength, but in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
