By Timothy W. Burnett
The first usage of epi, as related to holy spirit is found in John 1:33, "And I knew him [Jesus] not: but He [God] that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, 'Upon [epi] whom thou shalt see the spirit descending, and remaining on [epi] him [Jesus], the same is he which baptizes with the Holy Ghost.'" Now, because Jesus is the risen Lord and Savior, it is available for holy spirit to permanently come upon anybody. This condition is unique to the period of time known as the Administration of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:2-6).
Acts 1:8, "But you shall receive [lambano] power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon [epi] you..." During the past teachings it was established that to receive holy spirit means the point in time that people speak in tongues. Here, we get more information. After people start speaking in tongues, the holy spirit is considered to be in a condition of pressing downward from heaven to the person filled with holy spirit, and has truly reached its mark (see above definition of "epi").
Acts 2:3, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon [epi] each of them." This scripture directly ties speaking in tongues with holy spirit pressing downward from heaven to the spirit-filled person, having reached its mark. Please notice that "epi" is not used in the context of being filled with holy spirit, but with speaking in tongues. The first 12 apostles were first filled with holy spirit. Then they got the vision of cloven tongues sitting upon each of them, and they immediately began to speak in tongues.
Acts 8:16, "For as yet he was fallen upon [epi] none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Seen in the context of verse 15, the word "epi" is used in direct relation to the condition of receiving [lambano] holy spirit.
Acts 10:44, "While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on [epi] all them which heard the word." How did they know this? See verse 46, "For they heard them speak with tongues."
Acts 19:6, "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on [epi] them; and they spoke with tongues..." The laying on of hands was according to specific revelation from God, and was not a generally required condition for people to speak in tongues. Once again, from the context of verses 2-6, speaking in tongues is inextricably tied to the use of "epi" in the context of holy spirit.
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