Bible Question:
If we must be born again to be filled with Holy Spirit, how could Elizabeth and Zacharias be filled without being born again?
Bible Answer:
The filling of the Holy Spirit is not well understood among some Christians. There is great confusion. For example, what is the answer to the question, “How could Elizabeth be filled with the Spirit and not be saved?” That question exists because Luke 1:41 says she was filled with the Spirit. Part of the answer is found in the Old Testament. For a very helpful study on the filling of the Holy Spirit, visit “The Spirit’s Ministry – Tongues and Prophecy.” The following answer will explain why Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit before the day of Pentecost that occurred after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Some Old Testaments Saints Were Filled With The Spirit
In the Old Testament, some of the saints had the Holy Spirit come upon them. The chart below shows that the Holy Spirit came upon Old Testament believers in Exodus, Numbers, Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Isaiah and Ezekiel.
This is significant information because it shows that the Holy Spirit came upon and did enter some believers. But the Holy Spirit was only with each individual temporarily. The Holy Spirit did not permanently indwell or live within the believers. That did not happen to believers until the day of Pentecost, after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
A False Prophet Was Filled With The Spirit
It is also important to notice that the false prophet, Balaam (Jude 11; Revelation 2:14), had the Holy Spirit come upon him (Number 24:1-6; 27:18). Obviously Balaam was not a believer. So, the Holy Spirit can choose to come upon a person, in order to accomplish some purpose, without the person being a believer. The Spirit was upon Moses and on one occasion, God said He would take of the Spirit on Moses and put Him upon others to share the burden of leadership. (Numbers 11:16-26).
Conclusion
So, was Elizabeth saved when she was filled with the Spirit? The above discussion helps us understand that it is possible Elizabeth was not saved when she was filled with the Holy Spirit before the day of Pentecost after Jesus’ death and resurrection. But the fact that she had the privilege of being the mother of John the Baptist strongly suggests she was a believer and a righteous person. Therefore, that is the reason she was filled with the Holy Spirit and so was Zacharias (Luke 1:41, 67).
Today, Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of saving faith. Then the Holy Spirit continues to indwell them until they die and their spirits ascend to heaven.
Suggested Links:
The Spirit’s Ministry – Tongues and ProphecyHow To Be Filled With The Spirit
God’s Will – Be Filled With The Spirit
What are the signs that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit?
Did the Holy Spirit come upon or fill the Old Testament saints?