Refillings with the Holy Spirit

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18)


In Acts 2:4 we read: "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit." This was the fulfillment of Acts 1:5: "But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." One of those mentioned by name as being filled with the Spirit was Peter. In Acts 4:8 we read: "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them..." Here Peter experienced a new filling with the Spirit. Again, in verse 31 we read: "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Peter was named as one of this group, so we see that Peter experienced a THIRD filling with the Holy Spirit.


It is evident that it is not sufficient that a person is once baptized with the Holy Spirit. As new needs of service arise, there must be new fillings with the Spirit. The failure to realize this has led to sad and serious results in many believers' service. For each new service for Christ that is to be performed, for each new soul that is to be dealt with, for each new day and each new need of Christian life and service, we should definitely seek a new filling with the Holy Spirit.


I do not deny that there is an anointing that abides (1 John 2:27), nor the permanency of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives. I simply assert with clear and abundant Scripture proof, to say nothing of proof from experience and observation, that this gift must not be neglected (1 Timothy 4:14), but rather kindled anew or stirred in a flame (2 Timothy 1:6), and that repeated fillings with the Holy Spirit are necessary to continuance and increase of power.


While some may debate whether these new fillings with the Holy Spirit should be called fresh baptisms, it would seem wisest to follow the uniform biblical usage and speak of the experience that succeed the first baptism with the Holy Spirit as being "filled with the Holy Spirit."


Dear Holy Spirit, it is true that I need you for every new day and for every person and every situation I encounter. You know my weaknesses as well as my strengths, and that on my own I have nothing of spiritual life to give. Fill me again and again. Amen


~R. A. Torrey~