Bible trivia time! Who is the first person whom the Bible says was filled with the Holy Spirit or Spirit of God?

1. Moses
2. Elijah
3. Saul
4. David
5. None of the above

Do you have your final answer?

The correct answer is (e), “None of the above.” While the Holy Spirit guided and empowered Moses, the Bible does not use the term “filled with the Spirit” until Exodus 31. At that time, God told Moses that someone else—not him, not one of the priests or Levites, nor one of the other religious or spiritual leaders—had been filled with the Spirit of God.

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft’” (Exodus 31:1-5; all Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version, emphasis added).

The first time that God’s Word says He filled someone with the Spirit, it was not for what we would consider a spiritual task. Bezalel used a very ordinary talent. He probably saw nothing religious or spiritual about his craftsmanship abilities. However, God anointed him to use those talents to design and build the materials for the sanctuary where the Israelites would worship Him. (I do not think it is a mere coincidence that Jesus was born into the family of a “carpenter,” which at that time encompassed many of Bezalel’s skills.)

Terms like “filled with the Spirit” appear again throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Word of God says that some of the judges, King Saul, other anointed rulers, and prophets were filled with the Spirit. In the New Testament, this term describes Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostles, and ultimately, other believers.

In fact, the New Testament promises that all believers can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking on behalf of the disciples after the Holy Spirit baptized them on Pentecost, Peter said:

“But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
‘”And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
 and your young men shall see visions,
 and your old men shall dream dreams;
even on my male servants and female servants
 in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy….
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”’” (Acts 2:16-18, 21).

All believers have the Holy Spirit within them. All have the opportunity to live a Spirit-filled life. God fills us with the Holy Spirit for a distinct purpose:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We do not receive the Holy Spirit so we can sing better, shout louder, dance to exuberant praise music, etc. Those things are not bad, but unless they help fulfill the primary purpose—being Christ’s witnesses and making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)—they have nothing to do with the infilling or baptism of the Holy Spirit.

God calls and empowers us to make disciples and let others know about Jesus. When considering the Spirit-filled life, we think the truly anointed are people who have the more glamorous gifts or ministries. We look up to the eloquent, knowledgeable, inspirational preaching of a talented preacher or Bible teacher. We might admire the gifted evangelist, anointed prophet, or the person who manifests one of the other more “dramatic” gifts of the Spirit.

However, God calls all of us and uses many of our more ordinary, secular, natural talents. Remember: Even your ordinary talents—the skills you had before you became a Christian—are gifts from God. Bezalel’s example reminds us that prophets, priests, kings, apostles, missionaries, and preachers are not the only ones who have received the Holy Spirit. Nor are they the only ones who can use their talents for God’s glory.

God will often call His servants to use their ordinary talents, including skills they can use in a career, to serve His church and advance His kingdom. According to a few spiritual gifts inventories I have taken, my primary spiritual gift is the discernment of spirits: I also have an anointing for teaching or giving a word of wisdom, along with a few other gifts. However, I often use organizational skills, learned during my career in scientific publishing, to assist ministries within my church. It may not look like a spiritual gift, but it is how God often chooses to use me. I also know a couple in my church who use their cooking talents to assist several ministry events, especially evangelistic outreaches. Other people have gone on short-term mission assignments using a variety of talents: medical skills, building, manual labor, etc.

So, with this in mind, let us consider the following factors when serving God.

• Know who you are. To be who you are, you have to know who you are. What is God’s plan for your life? What talents has He molded in your life? What spiritual gifts has He poured into you since you came to Him? You can take a spiritual gifts inventory here or a personality test, based on the Myers-Briggs type indicator, here.
• Be who you are. Use the talents God has given you. Hold your head high and thank God that He designed you for a purpose.
• Do not try to be somebody else. Whether it is a close friend, a favorite Christian minister or celebrity, or even one of your parents, do not try to be exactly like them. God made you for a unique purpose. It is okay if you are different.
• “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). Whether you are a handyman, janitor, editor, cook, psychologist, stay-at-home mom, or whatever you do, use it as an opportunity to share Christ with others, to be a witness for Him, and minister to others in Jesus’ name. All Christians are in full-time ministry, even if they do not work at a church or have a title or ordination certificate. Even if you do not get a chance to talk about Jesus, let people see Christ through the way you use your skills and treat people around you.

God loves you and made you to fulfill a unique purpose in the world and His church. Be who you are. Embrace your gifts. Rejoice in your calling. Do everything to glorify Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die for us and give us everlasting life. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to continue His work in our lives and filling us so that we may do the work You have called us to do. Anoint, empower, inspire, and encourage us so that we may recognize the talents you have given us and use them for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What are some of the gifts God has given you? How are you using them to advance His kingdom? Share your comments below.

Copyright © 2024 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.