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The book of Acts talks about people "being filled" with the Holy Spirit at various times. There is also the concept of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. From the perspective that asserts these are, in fact, two different things, what specifically is the biblical distinction (from a biblical literalist perspective)?

Can someone be indwelt by the Holy Spirit but not filled with the Holy Spirit?

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Related: Saul (king, not apostle) prophesying in Samuel (speaks of "The spirit of the Lord" coming upon him) –  SSumner Jun 13 '13 at 16:16
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3 Answers

We find in Acts:

Acts 2:2-4 (ESV)

In these verses the Holy Spirit (strategically) empowered each of his apostles to speak in other tongues.

From this static experience, we can see 'filling' as a potentially recurring event in a believer's life. Praying for God to 'fill us with Your Holy Spirit,' can be an everyday prayer.

The indwelling, seems to me, appears later in this same chapter as Peter speaks about the 'gift of the Spirit':

Acts 2:38

Though the word 'indwelling' is not in this passage, the word 'gift' implies that each person will be receiving the Spirit for the first time - the indwelling of Him. Indwelling and the opinion of when it occurs varies from denomination to denomination. According to this passage, when a person repents in faith, they are given the Holy Spirit as a gift, the indwelling.

Here is a launching webpage for some differing doctrines and beliefs on Holy Spirit filling and 'baptism': http://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/g/baptismholyspir.htm

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As controversial as he can be, Mark Driscoll just preached on the filling of the Holy Spirit this past week. You may find it insightful in your pursuit. I found his thoughts on tongues to be helpful. Video here: marshill.com/media/acts-empowered-for-jesus-mission/… –  David C. Jun 13 '13 at 18:59
Hi; I've suggested an edit to remove some of the "it seems to me" text; do you have any sources on your statement about denominational beliefs (last paragraph) -- the teachings of a specific group concerning indwelling and filling would make this an excellent post. –  Ryan Frame Jun 13 '13 at 19:44
Thanks, Ryan, for your edits –  David C. Jun 13 '13 at 21:33
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Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Yes a person may be indwelled by the Holy Spirit John 20:22 but not filled like Acts 2:4. The only explicit Bible evidence given for being filled with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. In every instance of someone being filled with the Holy Spirit some additional action was required on the part of the receiver. Though the church at Ephesus was indeed indwelt by the Holy Spirit they were not always full of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 could read be you being filled translated using a gerund to move the phrase into the present. The theory being that we leak through life and must constantly be filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled is said to happen through the action of speaking in various forms. Exuberance has been place at an emphasis in being filled with the Holy Spirit and thats fine but how you speak to be filled is not qualified by most verses.

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When a person is converted, they then receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit instantly, however, the filling of the Holy Spirit is a continuous process that a believer experiences as he continues his walk with Christ. The filling gives them the ability to receive power to do what has called them to do to His glory. Believers are always being filled as they surrender more and more of their lives to the control of the Holy Spirit.

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welcome to the site. While I agree with your answer, it would be a lot better if you could add references showing that this is a common understanding, and who teaches/believes it. On this site, we're not looking for personal interpretation, but rather focusing on what various Christian groups teach. See How we are different than other sites? and What makes a good supported answer? –  David Stratton Dec 6 '13 at 3:46
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