Acts 4:8-9 – Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them…” “Baptized with the Holy Spirit” or “received power”, or “filled with the Holy Spirit” is used six times in book of Acts from Chapter 1 through V4-8 (Acts 1:5, 8, 2:4, 17, 33, 4:8) and more times after these. Family we have learned that when we are told something once in the Word we better listen. When we are told something twice, we better pay double attention. When we are told something three times it is of the highest importance and we need to focus and consider and act upon what is being said. We need to believe and act. What we are not to do is not believe or act and definitely not, like the doubters at Pentecost (Acts 2:13), scoff and make fun of what has happened. We must not let those who doubt, because it seems weird or odd, or doesn’t fit their doctrine, dissuade us from what we are clearly told by the Word. These scriptures are not telling us that someone received the Spirit one time and then a second time, or more. The Apostles received the Holy Spirit from Jesus after the Resurrection but before the Ascension in John 20:22 “And with that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”” In this verse, taken together with the verses surrounding it (V21-23), we see that the Apostles received the Holy Spirit and they received authority from the Lord. Family the Lord did not “kind of” give the Apostles the Holy Spirit. They once and for all were given the Holy Spirit and thereby sealed as His (2 Corinthians 1:21). The Apostles had no need to be re-given, they had been given it once and never lost it, and will never lose it, for all of eternity. So then, there is no need to be refilled. Also, they have not received a partial portion and then given more and more each time they are “filled.” Would the Lord give them a partial filling and then tell them something as powerful as “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven?” (John 20:23) That would seem ludicrous! No, the Word is not in these verses saying that they are given the Holy Spirit and then re-given the Holy Spirit. Family we are to daily seek the Lord. Every day we seek a fresh blessing, a new assignment for the day. We want to continuously put ourselves in front of the Lord and, though we know by His Word that we always remain with His love and grace, we want to again be inspired by His love and His direction (Lamentations 3:22-24). We look for the blessings to be “new every morning.” Family these blessings are about being powered to do specific things in the power of the Spirit to further the glory and spreading of the Gospel. The fillings are empowerings and enablings to do the work that God has called us to do, and to do it with supernatural power from God. We know from the Word that these fillings and receiving of power by the Holy Spirit are always accompanied by Words to speak, miracles and healings that are evidences that God is using a person.
“If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,” It is always amazing how people can deny the truth and hold to a lie no matter how convincing the evidence. I have seen videos of people doing a crime. The video is shown to the perpetrator who denies having done the crime. The person is asked “Is that you?” The person responds that it is. Then the person is asked “Is that you taking a bat to your neighbor’s car?” The person responds “Yes it is.” Then they are asked “Why did you vandalize your neighbor’s car?” The person then will respond “I did not vandalize my neighbor’s car!” Some people, no matter the overwhelming evidence before them, will not admit to, or see, the truth. All that refused Christ as Savior and Lord were doing that then, and those who do it now are acting in the same manner. If all this happened in our day Peter and John may have responded this way “Really? Have you really brought us to court for being kind and healing a person who was lame since birth? You already know from the testimony you have heard from the witnesses who riled you up that the man was healed and that we have said that this man was healed through the power of Jesus and His name. You know this is of God, because only God can do such a miracle. So really, I can’t believe you are helping us to spread the Gospel of Christ by putting us on trial! Incredible!”
It is amazing that people who are opposing God will do and say things that only glorify God in their attempts to elevate themselves and bring God down. Pharaoh thought he was showing all of Egypt his might and autonomy. All that he ended up doing was showing that God is over all, that God is over the believer and the non-believer. It all shows that God is the One who is in control. It has been said “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” It is God’s plans that will succeed! (Proverbs 19:21) Praise God that our God is exactly who He has said He is and that everything He says will come to pass, just as He plans. Praise God! Isn’t God amazing! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.