The ABCs 2

The next Biblical building block in the believer’s journey is receiving the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This is not to be confused with the regeneration of the Holy Spirit during the New Birth (John 3:5-8). It is a separate work of grace that empowers believers to walk with the Lord and to become more fruitful in their service.

Sadly, this topic has been misunderstood by those who fail to see the indisputably clear detailed pattern and examples given to us in the scriptures. In fact, much of Western Christianity has taken on a form that the ‘early church’ would not recognize as the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3-4). It has been watered down to look more like a social club or self-help smorgasbord than the Body of Christ. This will change in the not-too-distant future because world pressures and increased persecution will sift between those that are following Christ as His disciples, and those who are just going through the motions.

When new believers were joined to the ‘Church’ they were immediately introduced to the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The apostles understood, from Jesus, it was imperative for all believers to have the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. They understood all believers needed the same power of the Holy Spirit, as they (120 believers) experienced on the Day of Pentecost in the Upper Room shortly after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.

This was not debated, as today. It was considered the highest privilege to be part of a new generation of men and women, boys and girls, who could receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

After Jesus’ resurrection, He breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22 This passage has wrongfully been interpreted as the infilling of the Holy Spirit, not simply the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the New Birth, which was the creation of a “new wineskin” (or vessel) that subsequently could receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22). We can easily see this was not the same experience the disciples encountered in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost AFTER Jesus had ascended to heaven. These were two separate events.

The occurrence mentioned in John 20:22 took place as the disciples were still in hiding for fear of the Jews and Roman. This was a separate and isolated event with the eleven, unlike the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit Himself came into the room as a rushing mighty wind and filled the house where they were assembled (120 disciples, including the mother of Jesus). Here they were ALL filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).

The Day of Pentecost is marked by several signs that were prophesied by the prophet Joel and other Old Testament prophets. Joel prophesied God would pour out His Spirit upon sons and daughters, servants and handmaids, and they would prophesy (speak/foretell under divine inspiration). This all happened on the Day of Pentecost, not when Jesus breathed on His disciples while they were in hiding (John 20:22).

Although I will not take time or space to give all the examples in scripture here, you can find more illustrations in my latest book, “He Speaks Mysteries” to have a clearer  understanding of this topic. In the book you will find clear Biblical examples of new believers receiving the Gift and infilling of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:9-13; Acts 2:38-39) plus modern-day testimonies that will inspire and enlighten you.

As mentioned earlier, as soon as a person received Christ as Lord and Savior, they were exhorted to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. When Phillip went to Samaria and preached Christ, many accepted the Lord and were born again. As soon as the apostles learned about the new believers in Samaria, they immediately sent Peter and John to lay hands upon them that they might be filled with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 8:4-17). 

Years later, (most likely 2 to 4 years), Saul of Tarsus (who later became the apostle Paul) was radically saved when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, while he was on his way to persecute believers in that city. Almost immediately the Lord appeared to one of His disciples named Ananias, and commanded him to go to find Saul so he could receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).

Years later, the apostle Paul (who was previously called Saul) found 12 men in the city of Ephesus he supposed to be believers. His first question was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They had not, so he explained the new birth and baptized them in water, then laid hands upon them to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The men immediately received the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in tongues and prophesy (Acts 19:1-6).

One of the ministries I help with is called Redeeming Love Prison Ministry. They minister to 8 prison facilities throughout Oklahoma, along with County Jails, and Youth Detention Centers. When we present the gospel message to the inmates, we give them an opportunity to accept Christ, and then we briefly explain the need for each one to receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (special prayer language,1 Corinthians 14:2,13-14). More on this later. It is thrilling to see these men (and women) coming to Christ for Salvation, and then receiving Him as the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit (John 1:29-33; Matthew 3:11).

We’ll dig deeper into this topic in our next post. Meanwhile, prayerfully, go through the scripture references I’ve provided here and ask the Father for wisdom and revelation to enlighten your understanding (Ephesians 1:17-20). Until then, may God our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ richly bless and keep you!

James Brown CST 07/20/2026