Fulness

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

We are told that “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Apparently, therefore, the opposite condition, namely, the state of being full, or fulness, is one of the necessities of life. But full of what? There are right types of fulness and there are wrong types; it is exemplified by a number of passages in the Book of Acts which will reward careful study.

I. A RIGHT FULNESS.

  1. The most important “fulness” for the believer is with the Spirit of God.

    And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 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 4:8, 31)

    Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
    (Acts 6:3,5)

    But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (Acts 7:55)

    And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 9:17)

    For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
    (Acts 11:24)

    Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 13:9, 52)

     

  2. This leads to fulness with –
    1. Wonder.

      And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. (Acts 3:10)

    2. Doctrine.

      Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. (Acts 5:28)

    3. Wisdom.

      Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:3)

    4. Faith.

      And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: (Acts 6:5)

    5. Power.

      And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
      (Acts 6:8)

    6. Good works.

      Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. (Acts 9:36)

    7. Joy

      And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 13:52)

    8. Gladness.

      Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. (Acts 14:17)

II. A WRONG FULNESS.

  1. This is sadly possible and may take the form of –
    1. Lying.

      But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? (Acts 5:3)

    2. Indignation.

      Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, (Acts 5:17)

    3. Subtilty and Mischief.

      And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? (Acts 13:10)

    4. Envy.

      But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. (Acts 13:45)

    5. Wrath.

      And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. (Acts 19:28)

    6. Confusion

      And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. (Acts 19:29)

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Conclusion: Making a right choice in this matter of “fulness” will indeed make us “full with the blessing of the Lord”.

And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south. (Deuteronomy 33:23)


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