When a natural man (or woman) of body and soul believes God's Word as declared in Romans 10:9-10, God creates spirit in the man making him body, soul, and spirit.  He is no longer a natural man.  He has become a spiritual man.  He is saved (made whole).  He is born of God, who is Spirit, and thus is a son of God (I John 3:2).

When a person is born again with holy spirit within the Bible declares that he has been filled:

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete [filled - pleroo] in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Before we believed we were empty.  We had no hope.  We were without God in the world.  The Greek word for filled is pleroo which means to be filled to capacity.  When we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, God creates holy spirit within us.  From that moment on, we are no longer empty.  We are filled to capacity with His wonderful gift making us His children.

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled [pleroo] with joy, and with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].

Being filled on the inside does not mean that there is any evidence on the outside.  A person can be born again, filled to capacity inside, and yet not show any evidence outwardly of that which is born within.  Physically he looks the same.  Mentally he may act the same.  But spiritually he is very different.  He has gone from death unto life; from empty to full.

Once filled within, God would have us manifest our new birth outwardly.  The initial filling was God's responsibility.  The outward manifestation to the world is our responsibility.  To show forth evidence in the physical world of the spirit within is to be filled [pletho] to overflowing.  Pletho is the Greek word used in God's Word to describe overflowing fullness.  That which is within must spill out if others are to see that which God has given.  This is what God wants; but this is what we must do.  It is our use of the spirit which God has given us that causes it to overflow into the senses world.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled [pletho] with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit], and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The apostles were filled to overflowing.  They spoke in tongues.  The spiritual power within spilled out into the senses world where others could see.

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled [pletho] with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit], said unto them . . .

Peter was filled to capacity with holy spirit when he believed on the day of Pentecost.  Here he overflowed.  Here he spoke the words that God gave to him (revelation).  He utilized the gift of God and held forth the Word of God.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him [Paul] said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled [pletho] with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit].

Paul was born again on the road to Damascus when he believed and at that time he was filled [pleroo] to capacity.  Ananias was sent to heal him and get him filled [pletho] to overflowing.  Once he knew what to do . . . WOW, did Paul overflow:

I Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

If you are empty - get full! Believe God's Word written in Romans 10:9-10 and become a spiritual man or woman.  If you are born again - get overflowing!  You are God's son.  Let the world see it.  Manifest that spirit within and hold forth our Father's wonderful Word.


April, 1998
URL http://www.cortright.org/fill.htm
Michael Cortright