THE 3-D EXPERIENCE

Oftentimes we have heard of the two dimensions or operations of the Holy Spirit: His indwelling and His infilling presence. Some still have issues with that simple and absolute truth, but we won't go into that today. Rather, I'd like to share with you the 3rd dimension of the Holy Spirit. You may already know about this, or you may not, but either way, I pray this blesses you.

One simple question that I'd like you to ask yourself: how many times did Peter and John receive or get filled with the Holy Spirit? When I noticed John 20:22 for the first time, I thought maybe I'd stumbled out of the bible into another book, but alas, it was still my bible I was reading! Jesus breathed on them and said "receive the Holy Ghost". Without any doubt, they DID. Yet this same Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem after His ascension, until He poured out the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:5). In Acts 2:4, the bible records that they were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost and they began to speak with other tongues. That was, however, not the end of the matter. Some time later, in Acts 4:31, the bible records that Peter and John, along with their company (whom we can reasonably conclude to have included some of the other people who were in John 20:22 and Acts 2:4) were ALL filled with the Holy Ghost and they spoke God's Word with boldness, among other effects (Acts 4:31-33). Again, that wasn't the end. There are many instances where Christians who had received the Holy Ghost were said to be "filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 4:8, Acts 13:9&52), "full of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 6:5, Acts 7:55 & 11:24) or were exhorted to be filled with the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 5:19).

Does that mean Peter and John received or were filled with the Holy Spirit AT LEAST 3 times? In a manner of speaking, yes. The first time, in John 20:22, can be understood as the new birth. Earlier in that chapter, Jesus met Mary and told her not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father (verse 17). That same evening when He appeared to the 12 disciples, He told them to TOUCH Him (John 20:19&20, Luke 24:39). It means that in that interval, He had ascended to the Father and had entered into the holy place in heaven, offering His blood and perfecting redemption for them and for us (Hebrews 9:12). All the while they had been following Jesus, they weren't born again, but now He had finished the work of redemption, NOW they could be reborn as sons of God! So in John 20:21-23, He breathed on them, commissioned them as His body on the earth, now they could forgive people's sins! Now they could have the Holy Spirit indwelling them as a well of living water springing up into eternal life (John 4:14).

In Acts 2:4, they received the second dimension, the infilling of the Holy Spirit and rivers of living water began to flow out of their bellies (John 7:38). So what really happened in Acts 4:31 and other places thereafter? Simply put, they were filled with the Holy Spirit again and again and again and again. They lived a life of being constantly filled with the Holy Ghost. The word "filled" in the Greek also means "influenced". Literally, they knew how to submit themselves to the influence of the Holy Spirit again and again, the same way a drunkard submits himself/herself to the influence of the green bottle again and again by drinking and drinking again and again and again!

How can you submit yourself to the influence of the Holy Spirit continuously? How can you be filled with the Holy Spirit again and again and again? How can you access and enjoy this 3rd dimension of God's Spirit and power? One major way is by using the instrument He Himself supplied you with when you were first filled with Him.....speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6). Beloved, when you yield your tongue to the Holy Spirit by speaking in other tongues, you're yielding your entire self to His influence (James 3:2-6, Proverbs 18:21). He is described as rain in Zechariah 10:1 and Isaiah 44:3. This was the rain they experienced in Acts 4:31. This is the same rain I'm soaking in right now as I write to you! And if you don't already know, I can tell you He is awesome! This is the same rain you can choose to experience as often as you desire, not rain from above anymore, but from within, for Himself is already within you and you can literally stir up His presence and power and He will precipitate upon you as rain! There are some other ways to ignite this rain, but these we will explore together in good time.

Your life will take on new meaning, a new fragrance and produce a different class of results as you make a lifestyle of soaking in this rain. He will beautify your life and you will function as God has called you to function with boldness, in His love, with great power and great grace! I don't know about you, but I'm done grumbling, murmuring and complaining. It's time to soak in the rain of God's Spirit and watch His power work in your life! If you haven't started, you can start today. If you've started, DON'T STOP for anything!

Thank you for always making time to read and comment on these posts. I'm humbled and blessed. GREAT GRACE!