What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

Apr 15, 2011 18:48

In a Catholic newspaper a young woman wrote that she went to a Catholic retreat and afterwards she was filled with the Holy Spirit ( Read more... )

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thestormcellar April 15 2011, 21:08:47 UTC
My mom is a Charismatic Catholic, so I heard that phrase "filled with the Holy Spirit" a lot growing up. To my understanding, it's a consolation of grace that's kind of like an emotional/spiritual high. We know intellectually that the Spirit dwells within us at all times by the grace of God, but we don't always "feel" it. The "filled with the Holy Spirit" is really an expression of being able to feel the presence of the Spirit within you. Just like you know you love your mom/dad/siblings/significant other/pets/etc, but you don't always "feel" that love every moment of every day.

A caution, though, that consolation/feeling, should not be relied upon as a measure of God's grace and presence in one's life. I've seen too many people stumble and fall when that feeling faded. It's an assistance God gives to some to help them in maintaining their faith, but should not become the foundation for it.

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woodpeace April 16 2011, 16:46:11 UTC
In Chapter 1 of the Gospel according to St.Luke there are two uses of the phrase "filled with the Holy Spirit". The first is when Mary entered Zachariah's house and Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leapt for joy and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried out "Blessed are you among woman...".

The second is when John the Baptist was born, Zachariah his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Blessed be the God of Israel..."

On the day of Pentecost the apostles were "filled with the Holy Spirit" and began to talk in different languages.

In these examples the phrase "filled with the Holy Spirit" means more than being in a state of grace or spiritual consolation. It is the Holy Spirit inspiring prophecy.

I don't know if the phrase is used in the New Testament only in respect of "special" people, or whether it is used in respect of "ordinary" Christians.

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