I.  Several Important Facts About The Spirit-filled Life.

       A. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a very definite experience.
    In Acts 15:52 we read, “ the disciples were filled… with the Holy Ghost.” There was
    nothing vague, indefinite or uncertain about it. They were filled! The experience of the
    filling of the Holy Spirit is so definite that we may know whether or not we have received
    it and are living in the enjoyment of it. This by no means is the only reference in the
    Book of Acts to Christians being filled with the Holy Spirit. Compare the following: Acts
    2:4; 4:8,31; 6:3-5; 9:17; 11:24, and notice God’s command in Eph.5:18. Are you obeying
    it?
       B. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is more than being indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
    These disciples of whom we read in Acts 13:52 were certainly indwelt by the Holy Spirit,
    but more than that, they were filled with the Spirit. Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy
    Spirit; it is not possible to be a Christian and not have the Holy Spirit – look up Rom.8:9;
    1 Cor. 6:19. When we are born-again the Holy Spirit enters in to abide for ever (John.
    14:16). It is one thing to have the Holy Spirit residing within us – but it is another thing to
    have Him filling us – presiding within.
       C. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is God’s plan and provision for everyone of His
    children.
    In Acts 13:52 note that THE DISCIPLES were filled with the Holy Ghost – that is, just
    the rank-and-file members of the church. This blessing of the Holy Spirit’s fullness is not
    only for leaders,ministers,evangelists, or for a kind of spiritual aristocracy, but for every
    Child of God. Notice the word “all” in Acts 2:4, and compare Acts 2:39. The Spirit-filled
    life is never meant to be an abnormal experience, but in the purpose of God it is to be the
    normal experience of everyone of His children. The fullness of the Spirit is God’s
    provision for you – whether it be for the mother in the home, the son at school, the
    daughter on the mission field, the father in the office – yes, for Grandpa and Grandma
    too!
       D. By implication, to be filled with the Spirit means to be emptied of all that is
    contrary to His presence.
    He is the Holy Spirit, and if He is to fill the temple of our personality other things that
    have previously filled us must be first removed. In Acts 13:10 we read of one who was 
    "full of all subtility and mischief…” ; in verse 45 we read of others that were filled with
    envy and in Acts 3:5, Peter told Ananias that it was because Satan  had filled his heart
    that he had lied to the Holy Spirit. What is it that is filling us? For the Holy Spirit can
    never fill us if selfishness, criticism, or any other unholy spirit is possessing us. We must
    give heed to 2 Cor.7:1 and 1 John 1:9 and be cleansed if we are to be filled with the Holy
    Spirit.
       E. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, certain things will happen.
    In other words, there will be some evidence of His filling. In Acts 15:52, and notice the
    particular mark, or characteristic, of His infilling was that of joy – but let us notice some
    other marks also.

    II.  Some Characteristics Of A Spirit - Filled Life.

       A.  You will have great power and effectiveness in witnessing.
    Read Acts 13:44-52, and notice how mightily God’s Spirit-filled servants witness for
    Him.
          1. See how the power and attractiveness of their testifying. (v:44)
          2. See how much they made of the Word of God. (v:44,46,48,and 49)
          3. See how bold and fearless they were in the face of bitter opposition. (vs.
              45,46,and 50)
          4. See how God honored their preaching with conversions. (v:48)
          5. See how completely they obeyed the Matthew 28:19,20 command.( V:29)
    The first characteristic of a Spirit-filled Christian, then, is that he is a witnessing Christian;
    look up Acts 1:8.
       B. You will have discernment, that is, a Spirit – taught understanding of God’s plan.
    This is clearly brought out in this portion in two ways:
          1. In verses 46-47, Paul and Barnabas explained that the Gospel was first
    given to the Jews, and then it was given to the Gentiles. Thus, they knew
    God’s dispensational plan – compare Matthew 15:24; Luke 2:32.
         2. In verse 51, they acted in complete obedience to the Word of the Lord.
    Look up Luke 10:10,11.
    Look up 1 Cor. 2:14, and notice it is quite impossible for an unregenerate person to
    understand the things of the Spirit, and remember that the measure in which anyone can
    understand the things of the Spirit is dependent upon the measure in which they are
    possessed, or filled, by the Holy Spirit Himself.
       C.  Your life will manifest the fruit of the Spirit.
    In Acts 13:52 the particular manifestation was that of joy, but by reference to Gal.5:22.23
    we discover that the “fruit of the Spirit is love,joy,peace,longsuffering,
    gentilness,goodness,faith,meekness,temperance”. The whole of this cluster of fruit will
    characterize the life of a Christian who is truly filled with the Holy Spirit. How we need
    to be filled with the Holy Spirit – to make us really effective witnesses for our Lord, to
    impart to us discernment and spiritual understanding, and , above all, to make us more
    like the Lord Jesus!