THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - PART 2

The outpouring of God's Spirit is very rewarding because when God pours out His spirit among men, their dried and wasted land becomes fertile, and their field is bound to produce rich crops. In other words, the presence and active influence of the Spirit of God in a man's life bring about increase, progress, and fruitfulness.

Reference: Isaiah 32:15 King James Version (KJV) 'Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.'

In the book of Acts, there are three 'outpourings of the Holy Spirit events' ministered to three different people or groups at three different times. The first was to Jews and proselytes in Jerusalem (in Acts 2). The second was to a group of believing Samaritans (in Acts 8). The third was to a group of believing Gentiles (in Acts 10). Significantly, Peter was present at all the three outpouring events, in fulfillment of Jesus' words in Matthew 16:17-19 (NIV).

At three occasions, God sent the Holy Spirit with demonstrable signs, as the Great Commission was being carried out. The same Holy Spirit came upon the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles in the same manner, and in the presence of the same apostles, He kept the early church unified. That is why Ephesians 4:3-5 (NIV) says, 'Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.' That means, the unity of brethren is made possible through the outpouring of the Spirit.

The outpouring of the Spirit is different from the infilling of the Spirit. It was a unique arrival of the Holy Spirit on earth. The infilling happens when we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and yield to the full control God's Spirit in our lives. We are instructed to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 NLT). And in this regard, it is possible for the believer either to be 'filled with the Spirit' or to 'restrain' the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19 GNT). In either case, the Holy Spirit remains with the believer (as opposed to the Old Testament era, when the Holy Spirit would descend on a man to accomplish a specific purpose and still leave eventually).

The infilling of the Holy Spirit comes as a direct result of submission to God's will, and the quenching is a direct result of 'not stirring up His power in you' or 'living contrary to God's will'. Some still believe that an 'outpouring' of the Holy Spirit on a specific group of people in a specific place or time still happens but there is no Biblical support for the repetition of such Pentecost day-style event. The apostles have already laid the basic foundation and the Church has already begun (Ephesians 2:20 NLT).

Sometimes you hear some Christians sing songs that demand the presence of the Holy Spirit to 'come down'. The truth is that He has already come to us- at the moment of salvation- and, once He comes, He doesn't leave; He stays with us and in us. So it's needless to keep singing and expecting Him and the anointing to come down and fall fresh from heaven.

The outpouring of the Spirit is an already fulfilled prophecy that ushered in 'the church age' and the New Covenant in which all believing Christians are given the Holy Spirit as a permanent gift, helper and company. Once you receive Him, His power becomes resident in you to help you live a successful Christian life. Then you can always stir His presence in you up, mainly through worship and through praying in the spirit.

Scripture Reading - Job 5:10; Psalm 65:12; Job 38:25-27; Psalm 104:13-14.

Exuberant Declaration: I blossom and flourish always because the Spirit of God dwells in me and His presence is active in me. He turns every desert in my pathway into pools of water, and dry land into flowing springs. Thus, my life is a well-watered garden that produces excellent fruits in and out of season. Praise God!