The means and methods by which the Holy Spirit—the Ruach HaQodesh—connects and interacts with us are described in the Scriptures in multiple different ways. Though related, these descriptions do have distinctions, and noting the differences can help us get a clearer picture of how the Spirit operates, how we can be receptive to that interaction, and how His connection to us empowers us to live spiritually in Messiah. Here is a very brief overview of those interactions.

Receiving the Holy Spirit. The Master says in John 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give to you another Advocate, so that He may be with you….” And later in John 20:21-22 He says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you…. Receive the Ruach HaQodesh.” When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we’re receiving what Yeshua promised us: that another Advocate would be sent in His place to remain with us and guide us in our new life of faith (cf. Acts 2:38, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:13).

Immersion with the Holy Spirit. Shortly before Ye­shua’s ascension, He also told His disciples in Acts 1:5, “Yochanan, indeed, immersed with water, but you will be immersed with the Ruach HaQodesh.” In light of the ensuing events of Acts 2, to be immersed with the Holy Spirit, then, is to be completely submerged in the Ruach as one would be fully baptized in water. It is for our cleansing and purifying for a new, spiritual work in Messiah, marked by a physical, outward burst of spiritual activity.

Falling upon of the Spirit. Similarly, in Acts 10:44, “While Keifa was still speaking [to the house of Cornelius], the Ruach HaQodesh fell upon all those hearing the word….” And in Acts 1:8, the Master says, “you will receive power at the coming upon you of the Ruach HaQodesh….” The Spirit’s purpose in falling or coming upon us is to endow us with spiritual abilities and power to act outwardly. As believers in Yeshua, He empowers us to be His witnesses and to declare His greatness in boldness, without fear.

Pouring out of the Spirit. Back again in Acts 2, Keifa (Peter) says that the prophecy of Joel was beginning to be fulfilled. Joel 2:28-32 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…. before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” God pours out His Spirit upon us not just for our empowerment, but for our prophetic witness of who we have inside us, and of the things yet to come.

Being filled with the Spirit. The perception many believers have of being filled with the Spirit is actually quite different than its biblical description. For example, Paul says in Ephesians 5:18, “do not be drunk with wine… but be filled in the Ruach…” And Moses says in Exodus 35:30-31, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel… and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship…” The Ruach can fill us not primarily for manifesting spiritual gifts and signs (as “being filled” is often characterized), but for flooding the core of our being and inward character with the confidence, authority and fullness of God.

Indwelling of the Spirit. Finally, Paul teaches us in Romans 8:9-10, “you are not in the flesh, but in the Ruach, if indeed the [Spirit of God] lives in you…. But if Messiah is in you, the body indeed is dead because of sin, but the Ruach is life because of righteousness.” When the Holy Spirit indwells us, He permeates and defines our lives. Living within us, the Spirit of God leads us to act and walk and behave outwardly in righteousness, causing us to come fully alive in Messiah.

Let us desire to connect and interact with the Holy Spirit, not for our own personal edification and gratification, but so that we may be a benefit and testimony to others of God’s saving and transforming power.

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