Filled and Baptized by the Spirit
One of the key thematic links across Luke’s Gospel and the Book of Acts is Jesus as the bestower of the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s promises in the prophets. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit so that believers will later be “baptized” with the Holy Spirit (Lk 3.16; Acts 1.4-5, 8). That event is described differently, on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit was“poured out” on the disciples (Acts 2.33). Later, in Caesarea, among Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit was said to be “falling upon all who heard the word” and they were all “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 10.44; 11.16). Also, in Ephesus, we find that the disciples of John had the Holy Spirit “come upon them” (Acts 19.6). Elsewhere, the Spirit’s sudden presence in a person is referred to as “receiving” the Holy Spirit (Acts 2.38; 8.15-17; 10.47).
So what does it mean to be “filled” and “baptized” by the Holy Spirit?