May 11

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. - Acts 4:31.

THIS is said to have been the effect resulting from the prayers of the Apostles, and the members of the Church assembled, when Peter and John were set at liberty after being examined by the chief priests and elders. The effect as here stated has two references.

First, It refers to the extraordinary agency of the Holy Ghost. This was now necessary in their circumstances, and they had already been enabled to speak suddenly many languages which they had never learned, and healed with a word a man who had been lame from his birth. Thus the grand seal of heaven was affixed to their commission. But though these extraordinary influences were then needful, they were not to be continued; indeed, if they had been continued, they would have been extraordinary no longer. The possession of them never was an evidence of the godliness of the possessor. Balaam prophesied as sublimely as ever Isaiah did, and Judas performed miracles as well as Peter and John. Many will be disowned by our Saviour in the last day, who will yet be able to plead, “Have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” And, therefore, while we are not to look for these now, we should not envy those who were partakers of them. The Apostle says to the Corinthians, “Covet earnestly the best gifts; and yet show I unto you a more excellent way;” that is, as he adds, Seek after the possession of the graces of God’s Spirit, “faith, hope, and charity, these three;” and remember that “the greatest of these is charity.” Seek to be “filled with the Spirit,” as a Teacher, an Enlivener, a Renewer, a Comforter.

Secondly, The expression refers to the special influences of the Holy Ghost. They were now called to fresh deeds, fresh difficulties, fresh dangers; and therefore they required fresh supplies of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And. thus we, like them, may also find strength equal to the day, and obtain accessions of illumination and confidence, and courage, peace, and joy, and be prepared to stand complete in all the will of God.