While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Acts 10:44

What does it mean that “the Holy Spirit fell upon” them? There are two opinions on this question.

One opinion is taught by Pentecostal or Charismatic believers. These believe and teach that the Holy Spirit comes upon people who are already saved, but not filled with the Spirit as a “second blessing.” There are three problems with this position: (1) It establishes two-classes of believers, those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and those who are not. (2) It says people can be saved and not filled with the Holy Spirit. (3) This position is relatively new on the timeline of church history, gaining popularity mostly among Charismatics only since the beginning of the 20th century.

The other opinion is more widely held by more scholars throughout church history. This opinion is that the “Holy Spirit falling upon” a person is what happens when that person is born again. In other words, everyone who is born again by the Holy Spirit is also filled with the Holy Spirit.

Here are two important takeaways: (1) Everyone who is saved is filled with the Holy Spirit. This reminds us that as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we are responsible to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17). (2) Those who are not filled with the Holy Spirit are not born again by the Holy Spirit either—allowing for no such nonsense that a person can live “carnally” (in the flesh) and be saved.