The Spirit Filled Life

Acts 4:31-37

As we look at the church today, we find little similarity to the church in Acts. One well known pastor of a very large church stated that he suspects more than half his congregation are not saved. If that’s true, where is the Holy Spirit’s power? I know that people make professions of faith at every service. After all, a lot of people believe the number of professions indicates the level of spirituality of a church.

Through the years, I have heard people say that various things denote a Spirit filled Church. Some measure spirituality by the ability to speak in tongues, or keep some moral or dress code. In Handbook to Happiness, Dr. Solomon measured it by the emotional strength, as determined using the Taylor-Johnson temperament analysis. Obviously there is some confusion about what it means to be spirit filled.

The book of Acts gives us the opportunity to look over the shoulders of the Apostles and see how the Holy Spirit works in their lives so we know what we are trying for. Until we know what the goal is, we will never know whether we have accomplished it or not.

When the Holy Spirit moved in such a might way on the day of Pentecost, it occurred after a period of sincere prayer and united purpose. In this passage, we again see that the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way after a period of intense prayer.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

While there was an immediate physical impact, In this case, shaking the place, or on the day of Pentecost, the appearance of flames and the ability to speak in tongues, the greatest effect was the difference in attitude of those filled.

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” (Acts 4:32)

Humans are naturally self centered. Even our efforts to help others tend to focus on what we receive from them, whether emotional or physical. As a result our efforts to help often focus on our desires rather than what the person actually needs. The Holy Spirit changes that, making the focus what pleases God instead. When that is our focus, we allow the Holy Spirit to do things the way he wants them, and the impact is magnified, as we see here.

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33)

When we are focused on having our own way, or getting glory for ourselves, we quench the Holy Spirit, not allowing him to work freely in our lives. It’s kind of like a candle lighting service where each person holds a lighted candle to light the room. Each person who puts out his candle lowers the level of light. Each person not filled with the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that hasn’t been filled, providing little or no light, or even smoking things up and further reducing the light available if they try to continue without the Holy Spirit’s power. The change in the attitude is clearly demonstrated by a change in behavior.

“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” (Acts 4:34-35)

There was no demand for such actions, it was purely voluntary, as an expression of their love. One of those who were filled with the Spirit and gave would later have a great deal of impact on the church. He started by allowing the Holy Spirit to have control of his life.

“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” (Acts 4:36-37)

We will see Barnabas many times in our study, and he is perhaps the one character other than Jesus himself I would most like to emulate of all those mentioned in the Bible.