Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord… I. What is meant by WALKING IN THE FEAR OF GOD? 1. A habitual and profound veneration for His character and institutions. 2. A humble and unreserved submission to His authority. The influence of this fear will extend to all the powers and faculties of the soul. It will — (1) Constrain the understanding to submit implicitly to the authority of God's revealed will. (2) Influence the will, rendering it pliable and submissive, and conforming it to the will of God. (3) Control and regulate the affections. (4) Guide and govern the imagination. 3. A holy jealousy of ourselves, end a watchful care to avoid everything which may grieve, displease, or provoke Him to forsake us. Now, as Churches are composed of individuals, it follows that when all or nearly all the members of a Church live under the habitual influence of this principle, the Church will walk in the fear of God; and all the duties which are incumbent on it will be diligently and faithfully performed. These duties are — (1) To provide the means of grace and of religious instruction for itself, its children, and those who are immediately connected with it: (2) To faithfully maintain the discipline of Christ in His house. (3) To assemble at proper seasons for social worship. (4) To take care of the religious education of its children. (5) To assist feeble and destitute sister Churches with pecuniary aid according to their ability. II. What is meant by WALKING IN THE COMFORTS OF THE HOLY GHOST? Having — 1. Peace of conscience, or peace with God, arising from a persuasion wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit that we are pardoned and accepted in the Beloved. 2. A strong and well-grounded hope, arising at times to a full assurance, that we are adopted into God's family, and that consequently we have a title to all the privileges of His children. 3. Foretastes of the joys of heaven. III. WHEN THE MEMBERS OF CHURCHES HABITUALLY WALK IN THIS MANNER, GREAT ADDITIONS WILL BE MADE TO THEM. This is probable when we consider — 1. That such a life and temper will naturally and most powerfully tend to convince all around them of the reality and happy effects of religion, to remove their prejudices against it, and to show them that its possession is highly desirable. 2. That this state of things is exceedingly pleasing to God, and naturally tends to draw down His blessing. Them that honour Him He will honour. 3. That, when Churches walk in this manner, it proves that God is pouring out His Spirit upon them, and that a revival of religion is already begun. (E. Payson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. |
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