The Holy Spirit was indeed the motive power in those stirring days, but what was it about the Apostles and their fellow missionaries that enabled the Holy Spirit to change the face of the world through them in particular? It was not great natural gifts, as we have seen. It was their complete dedication to God. No one meant so much to them as did God, nothing was so important as the work he was calling them to do. And they therefore handed themselves over completely and utterly to him for him to use. They did not look on their lives as their own: for had not they, as St Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth, had not they been bought at a price, the price of the Precious Blood of their Saviour? (1 Corinthians 6:20).

So one thing and one thing alone counted – the glory and honour of God – and for themselves they sought no reward save that of being assured that they were doing his will. This, so far as they were concerned, was the secret of their astonishing influence and effectiveness. They surrendered their wills to God, allowing him to operate through them without let or hindrance. This was the reason why they in particular were able to attract people to God with such power, for they were burning with the Divine fire of love which warmed the hearts of those who were seeking him.