Filled with the Spirit (Christianity)

There are several references in the Old Testament to individuals or groups being filled with the spirit and prophesying, but the most significant occasion for the Christian was the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as described in the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles. It was then that the Holy Spirit filled the apostles, with the sound of "a rushing, mighty wind" and appeared in flames of fire on their heads. Not only could they "speak with tongues" so that people of every language could understand them, but there was a complete change in their being. From leading a fugitive existence, in fear of the authorities, they became confident and successful preachers of the gospel, transmitting the Holy Spirit to those who accepted their teaching. These followers in turn were filled with the Spirit and received gifts or "charisms", including the ability to teach, heal the sick, prophesy, speak with tongues or interpret tongues. The ability to be understood by all people does not seem to have been general, speaking with tongues normally referring to an unintelligible speech of praise or prophesy which needed to be interpreted. However, the positive change that took place on baptism in the Holy Spirit was sufficiently obvious for it to be noticeable to all present, to the extent that individuals who used spirit possession for financial gain wanting to buy the gift.

The current charismatic movement has seen a resurgence of these gifts, individuals who have been baptized in the Spirit notably having the power to heal the sick, speak or sing in tongues and to prophesy. There are also cases recorded where the ability to speak in tongues has included perfect mastery of a foreign language for purpose of preaching the word, although the person speaking may not understand what he or she is saying. Another manifestation is being "slain in the Spirit", when the individual falls to the floor and is unable to move despite being perfectly conscious and aware. The process of being baptized in the Spirit or "born again" may be gradual but is frequently as sudden and dramatic as on the Day of Pentecost. It follows complete acceptance of Christ as saviour and usually after baptism in water, after which the individual is dead to the old self - although again there are no hard and fast rules and some people experience being baptized in the Spirit before water baptism, both now and as recorded in the early Church. What is unique about the coming of the Spirit - as promised by Christ - is that, once having been filled with the Spirit, the change is permanent, although the manifestation may vary in intensity depending on circumstance.