Actually, it’s not scripturally correct in the New Testament to say, “May God’s Spirit rest upon you.” Someone may read our opening verse and run off with the idea that even Paul desired that the power of Christ may “rest upon him.” That wasn’t the case.
What Paul said wasn’t about the power of Christ resting upon him. The word translated “rest” is from the Greek, “episkēnoō,” which is a combination of two words: “epi” meaning “a superimposition,” and “skenoo ̄ ” meaning “habitation.” “Episke ̄ noo ̄ ” therefore ̄ means, “coming over something to take charge of it from within.” Paul was in other words describing his experience of being continuously filled with the Spirit.
Another use of the term “rest upon” is seen in 1 Peter 4:14, where the Bible says, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you….” Here, the word, “anapauō” is used, which refers to being refreshed or given rest, but not as in sleep. If you study the context, you’ll observe that it says, if you’re persecuted because of Jesus, happy are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God will give you rest; He refreshes you and strengthens you. The Greek word doesn’t say rest upon you; it can’t even be translated that way.
The essence of the detailed foregoing explanations is that in the New Testament, there’s no suggestion of the Holy Ghost coming to rest upon us. The emphasis throughout the Scriptures is for us to be full of the Spirit because He lives in us. This was the standard in the early Church, and it’s still our standard today.
The Bible says, “… and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost...” (Acts 6:5). In Acts 4:31 NIV, it says, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit....” This is the will of God for us today in the Church: being continually filled with the Spirit.
CONFESSION:
Dear Father, thank you; for your Spirit, in all of His glory and awesomeness, has come to take up His abode in the quarters of my heart in His totality. I’m a God-carrying vessel, a conveyor of eternal verities. By virtue of being a carrier of God, I can do all things, and effect positive changes in my world. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
John 14:17; Colossians 2:9-10; Acts 4:31
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 20:17-38 & Job 22-24
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Galatians 2:13-21 & Isaiah 30
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