June 30, 2025

FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ he asked them. ‘No,’ they replied, ‘we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ ‘Then what baptism did you experience?’ he asked. And they replied, ‘The baptism of John.’ Paul said, ‘John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.’ As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.”

 Acts 19:1–6 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

In today’s passage, we get a powerful glimpse into how the early Church grew—not just in numbers, but in spiritual depth and power. Paul’s encounter with the believers in Ephesus reveals a pattern we still need today.

1. Paul Looked for Believers

As Paul traveled, he didn’t just preach broadly—he sought out those who already had some measure of faith. These Ephesians were described as “believers,” yet they hadn’t experienced all God had for them. This reminds us that belief in Jesus is just the beginning of a much deeper journey with Him.

2. He Asked About Their Experience with God

Paul asked a simple yet deeply revealing question:

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

This question separates religion from relationship. We know theologically that the Holy Spirit is active in drawing people to salvation and that He comes to dwell in us when we place our faith in Christ. But Paul points to something more—a fullness of the Spirit that goes beyond initial belief.

There is more than salvation in our spiritual walk:

• Water baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus.

• The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an empowering experience to live out our faith and serve in supernatural ways.

3. He Met Them Where They Were

Paul didn’t criticize their lack of understanding—he built on it. He explained that John’s baptism was one of repentance in preparation for the coming Messiah. Then, he taught them about Jesus and the fullness of life in Him.

Their response was immediate: they were baptized in water, and then Paul laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit.

4. They Were Empowered by the Holy Spirit

As Paul prayed for them, they received the Holy Spirit, and the result was clear:  They spoke in tongues and prophesied.

This was a consistent sign throughout the book of Acts that someone had received the fullness or baptism of the Holy Spirit. While not the only evidence, a personal prayer language is one clear indication of the Spirit’s presence and empowerment in a believer’s life.

But the work of the Holy Spirit doesn’t stop at the gifts—it must also show up in fruit. If the Spirit isn’t shaping your character to look more like Jesus—marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—then we must ask: Is the Spirit truly leading my life?

The Question Still Stands:

“Have you received the fullness of the Holy Spirit?”

If not—today is the perfect time. The Holy Spirit is a gift. You don’t have to earn Him. You only have to ask, believe, and yield.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, I invite You to fill me completely. Release Your fullness in and through my life. I want to be transformed into the image of Christ. I open my heart to everything You have for me—including my personal prayer language. Empower me to bear Your fruit and serve with Your gifts. Amen.

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