And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (33) And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (34) Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, (35) And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. (36) And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, (37) Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
What a golden age to the Church must this have been! How sweetly the love of God in Christ wrought upon the heart, when the streams of such a fountain diffused themselves in all directions! And how graciously the Lord gave testimony to the word of his grace, when the Apostles were enabled to shew miracles in witness of the truth; and the people with one heart and soul shewing forth no less the miracle of mercy wrought in them by the Holy Ghost. Oh! for the renewal of such Pentecost seasons, if it were the Lord's will and pleasure! Oh! for many, many such as Barnabas to arise, as sons of consolation, in the distressing times of the present day. And, oh! that the Lord the Spirit would return to this our sinful land, and thereby fulfill that sweet promise, that by a pure language his people might all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent, Zephaniah 3:9. Nothing short of this can do to restore health to Zion. No arm, but the arm of Jehovah the Spirit, can cut Rahab, and wound the dragon, Isaiah 51:9. Without the outpouring of the Spirit, no heart of stone can be softened, nor the Christ-despising generation in which we dwell be removed. But, if the Lord in rich mercy will pour out of his holy Spirit upon us from on high, then will our wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest, Isaiah 32:15. Reader! shall we not then say to the Holy Ghost, in his own most blessed words, Awake! awake! put on strength, 0 arm of the Lord! Awake, as in the ancient days, in generations of old, Isaiah 2:9.