Filled with the Holy Spirit Luke mentions the most crucial thing that the apostles needed in order to be the most effective instruments in the hands of the living Jesus. They needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4–5)

Every believer has the Holy Spirit indwelling him Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ ESV

But the Bible uses the word "filled" in a way that expresses a special enabling or ability given by the Holy Spirit in doing the work of God.

Filling with the Holy Spirit is almost always associated with this extraordinary power for ministry in the book of Acts. Notice that when the baptism with the Spirit happens in Acts 2:4, Luke says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” The effect of that filling was a powerful and even miraculous testimony to the truth of Christ that resulted in 3,000 people being converted (Acts 2:41). In Acts 4:8 Peter is filled with the HS and speaks with such power that the Jewish leaders were amazed at his boldness despite his being relatively uneducated (4:13). In Acts 4:31 other disciples were praying and the place where they were was shaken and they were all filled with the HS. The effect was that they spoke the Word of God with extraordinary boldness and Christ-exalting power. In Acts 6 we meet Stephen who is full of faith and the Holy Spirit (v. 5). And Luke tells us in verse 8 that he was therefore full of power and did wonders and signs among the people, but especially in verse 10 the leaders could not resist the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. His fullness gave him an extraordinary power for Christ-exalting ministry. In Acts 9:17 Paul is filled with the HS at his conversion and the result was that he spoke with such power that the Jews of Damascus were confounded (9:22). In Acts 11:24 Barnabas was full of the HS and faith and the effect Luke mentions was that “a large company was added to the Lord” (as at Pentecost). In Acts 13:9 Paul was filled with the HS as he spoke to Elymas the magician and God gave him the power to pronounce Elymas blind for a season (13:11).

"Filling" has three related shades of meaning in the New Testament. Pressure or direction Permeation Control

Pleroo has three shades of meaning. The first carries the idea of pressure. It is used to describe wind billowing the sails on a ship, providing the impetus to move the vessel across the water. This depicts the Holy Spirit providing the thrust to move the believer down the pathway of obedience. A Spirit-filled Christian isn't motivated by his own desires or will to progress. Instead, he allows the Holy Spirit to carry him in the proper directions. To be filled with the Spirit means to be carried along by the gracious pressure of the Holy Spirit.

Pleroo can also convey the idea of permeation. Alka Seltzer illustrates this principle. It is transformed in water into clear bubbles, and permeates with its flavor. In a similar sense, God wants the Holy Spirit to permeate and flavor our lives so when we're around others they will know for certain we possess the pervasive savor of the Spirit.

There is a third meaning of pleroo, actually the primary one in the New Testament, which conveys the sense of control. It is used by the Gospel writers to indicate that people were dominated by a certain emotion. In Luke 5:26, after Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and healed the paralytic, the people were astonished and "filled with fear." Luke 6:11

The work of the Holy Spirit and the realities of life

Our lives, messy as they are, come together with the great work of God as Jesus shows His great love to us and we, filled with the Holy Spirit, tell others of our great savior.

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit - Desire it and ask for it (Luke 11:11-13) - Confess and repent of your sins (Acts2:38) - Surrender to God, "I want to be your vessel no matter what is going on in my life." - Persistently pray for it (Luke 11:5-8) - Receive it by faith