(2) The Imperfect tense, denoting, as in English, just what its name
implies—"They were being filled" (literally)—as in Acts xiii. 52.
(3) The Present tense, also denoting, as in English, just what its name
implies—"Full," the normal condition—as in Acts xi. 24.
The following are the passages in the Acts in which the various tenses are found:—
(1) Aorist:—
Acts ii. 2, "It filled all the house."
Acts ii. 4, "They were all filled."
Acts iv. 8, "Peter filled with the Holy Ghost." Peter was already "filled," in ch. ii. 4.
Acts iv. 31, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost." Peter was again amongst them. Peter received an "Aorist" filling in ch. ii. 4, again in ch. iv. 8, and yet again in ch. iv. 31. So that an "Aorist" filling may be repeated and repeated again and yet again. On both occasions—ch. iv. 8 and ch. iv. 31—there was special need, and to meet this special need, Peter received a fresh and special and definite "filling" of the Holy Ghost. From this we learn that to equip us for every new important or difficult service to which we may be called, the Lord Jesus is prepared to grant us a fresh Infilling, a "refilling" of the Holy Ghost; and that these "refillings" may be, and ought to be, repeated just as often as the need arises. We see it reported twice in one chapter that Peter was "refilled." It will be noted that for the reasons already mentioned,[2] the expression "a fresh Infilling of the Holy Ghost," or "refilling," is used instead of "received a fresh Baptism of the Holy Ghost."
[2: Page 39.]
Acts ix. 17 (Saul), "And be filled with the Holy Ghost." Saul was not to begin his life work until "baptized"—"filled with the Holy Ghost." He must receive the very same blessing and equipment as the other apostles received at Pentecost. This was Saul's Pentecost, and for him, as for others, service began at Pentecost.