The Day of Pentecost

Nigel Kerr

They were all Filled with the Holy Ghost.
Ministry of the Holy Spirit. Part Four.
The Evening & the Morning.
The Seventh Day.
Saturday, September 30, 2023.
Acts 4:31 (KJV) 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.
This is after the events of the day of Pentecost, this is another event in response to the disciples prayers. This teaches us that the Filling with the Holy Ghost is not a one time event.
Pentecost.
Acts 2:4 (KJV) And [they were all filled with the Holy Ghost], and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This particular filling of the Holy Ghost on the feast of Pentecost was to enable the disciples to speak a foreign language to the many pilgrims from foreign lands, a language they had never learned, this was in some ways a reversal of Babel were the LORD confused the languages.
Acts 4:8 (KJV) Then Peter, [filled with the Holy Ghost], said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Here again we have Peter being personally filled with the Holy Ghost in order to give answer to the rulers of Israel after the healing of the impotent man at the gate called beautiful.
After the rulers let them go the disciples returned to their own company to hold a prayer meeting, they pray that the enemy might be confounded, and they pray for boldness to preach Christ.
Acts 4:23-29 (KJV) And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
We believe boldness is the central theme of this particular filling of the Holy Ghost.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together
This is another demonstration of the Power of GOD, similar to Pentecost.
and [they were all filled with the Holy Ghost], and they spake the word of God with boldness.
This was the answer to their prayer in detail.
Boldness.
The original Greek word translated [boldness] here, appears 32 times in the New Testament, in the King James Version it is translated by 9 different words, they appear thus,
Boldness, 9 times. Confidence, 6 times. Openly, 6 times. Plainly, 4 times. Boldly, 3 times. Bold, 1 time. Freely, 1 time. Plainness, 1 time. Preached, 1 time.
This gives us a good idea what this word truly means, and what we have to pray for when handling the Word of God.
We will choose one of these references to drive home our point, here Paul is praying that utterance may be given, that he might open his mouth boldly, and make known the mystery of the gospel.
Ephesians 6:19 (KJV) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth [boldly], to make known the mystery of the gospel,
These three points will help us to day, the filling of the Holy Ghost comes by prayer, to enable those who speak the Word of God, to speak with confidence & great plainess of speech, and to make known the secrets of the gospel, because in this day and age we are afraid the gospel and its claims are a complete mystery to the general population.
We pray God fill us with the Holy Ghost power to speak plainly and with boldness to make known the gospel of Christ, to a world of sinners lost and ruined by the fall.
To preach Christ there must be plainness of speech that no one is left in any doubt that Christ alone is Saviour, and that the way of the Cross leads home.
There are many types of boldness in the world, but the boldness that comes from God can only come by the filling of the Holy Ghost.