The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Acts 4.31 is particularly interesting, because it differs from the one described at Pentecost in Acts 2.1-4. Luke writes:
“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4.31).
This sentence allows us to distinguish three elements.
-
An outward sign: the shaking of the place
Luke reports that “the place where they were assembled together was shaken.” This phenomenon recalls several manifestations of the divine presence in the Old Testament:
- Mount Sinai at the giving of the Law (Exodus 19.18);
- Isaiah’s vision in which the doors of the Temple were shaken (Isaiah 6.4);
- David’s prayer in which the earth trembles at the action of God (Psalms 18.7).
This is not necessarily a natural earthquake, but a sign meant to show that God answers his people’s prayer favorably.
-
A new fullness of the Holy Spirit
Luke specifies:
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4.31).
These believers had already received the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2.1-4). This new mention shows that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is not a single and final event, but an experience renewed according to the needs of the mission.
Peter himself, already filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, is again described as “filled with the Holy Spirit” before the (Acts 4.8). Later, Paul will have a similar experience (Acts 13.9).
In Acts, being filled with the Holy Spirit generally means receiving special assistance to accomplish a specific task.
-
The visible manifestation: boldness in witness
Unlike Acts 2.4, Luke does not mention:
- any foreign languages;
- any visible flames;
- any sound coming from heaven.
The immediate consequence is the following:
“They spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4.31).
The Greek word parrhesia denotes freedom of speech, frankness and courage. Here, this boldness is the main manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s action.
A few days earlier, these same disciples still had fresh in their memory the death of Jesus and the threats of the . Now they carry on their mission without letting themselves be intimidated, thus fulfilling the promise of Jesus:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1.8).
A manifestation different from Pentecost
The episode of Acts 4.31 shows that tongues or extraordinary phenomena should not be regarded as the only proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, the manifestations vary according to the circumstances:
| Passage | Manifestation |
| Acts 2.1-4 | Foreign languages and proclamation |
| Acts 4.8 | Inspired speech of Peter before the |
| Acts 4.31 | Boldness and courage in proclamation |
| Acts 6.10 | Stephen’s wisdom |
| Acts 13.9-11 | Paul’s authority over Elymas |
| Acts 13.52 | Joy and perseverance |
Thus, according to Luke, the most evident manifestation of the fullness of the Holy Spirit is not always a spectacular phenomenon, but the ability given to believers to faithfully proclaim the word of God despite opposition. The divine answer corresponds exactly to the request made in the prayer of Acts 4.29: the disciples had asked for boldness, and it is precisely this boldness that God grants them.