Commentaries on the Bible ACTS 2.42-47

David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible

ACTS

David Guzik

David Guzik

Santa Barbara, CA

2013

© 2013 David Guzik

No distribution beyond personal use without permission

D. The life of these first believers [2:42–47]

1. The foundation of their Christian life (42)

a. And they continued steadfastly: On the day of Pentecost the sound of the rushing wind, the tongues of fire, and the conversion of 3,000 were all remarkable events. But the things described in Acts 2:42 were the abiding legacy of God’s work.

b. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine: They relied on the apostles to communicate to them who Jesus was and what He had done. They just trusted in Jesus; now they wanted to know more.

i. Continued steadfastly uses a Greek verb communicating “a steadfast and single-minded fidelity to a certain course of action.” (Longenecker) There was to be no departure from the apostles’ doctrine, because it was the truth of God.

ii. Thankfully, God allows us to sit under the apostles’ doctrine—the New Testament record. Every pastor should seek to be unoriginal in the sense that we don’t have our own doctrine, but the apostles’ doctrine.

c. They continued in steadfastly in … fellowship: The ancient Greek word koinonia (translated here as fellowship) has the idea of association, communion, fellowship, and participation; it means to share in something.

i. The Christian life is meant to be full of fellowship, of sharing one with another.

• We share the same Lord Jesus.

• We share the same guide for life.

• We share the same love for God

• We share the same desire to worship Him.

• We share the same struggles.

• We share the same victories

• We share the same job of living for Him.

• We share the same joy of communicating the gospel.

d. They continued in steadfastly … in the breaking of bread: Even living so close to the time when Jesus was crucified, they still never wanted to forget what He did on the cross. How much more important is it for us to never forget?

e. They continued in steadfastly … in prayers. Whenever God’s work is done, God’s people gather for prayer and worship.

i. “In the Greek the definite article occurs before the word ‘prayer.’ The text actually says, ‘to the prayers.’ They devoted themselves ‘to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.’ Obviously, that is a reference to something formal—to worship in which the people got together and praised God.” (Boice)

f. The apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers: Everything else we read about the power and glory of the early church flows from this foundation of the word, fellowship, remembrance of Jesus’ work on the cross, and prayer.

i. From Luke’s description of the early Christian community, “The educated reader would have got the impression here that the Greek ideal of society had been realized.” (Dictionary of New Testament Theology)

ii. “It is presented as a model church, but this does not mean that it was perfect. A few chapters further on, we are going to find that it was far from perfect.” (Boice)

2. The presence of the power of God (43)

a. Then fear came upon every soul: This was evidence of the power of God. One of the greatest, most powerful works God can do is to change the human heart towards a reverent honor of the Lord.

b. Many signs and wonders were done: This was evidence of the power of God. Where God is at work, lives will be touched in miraculous ways.

3. Their close hearts and sharing in the common life of Jesus (44–45)

a. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common: With the influx of more that 3,000 believers, most of whom stayed in Jerusalem and didn’t have jobs, the family of Christians had to share if they were to survive.

i. We shouldn’t regard this as an early experiment in communism because it was voluntary, temporary, and flawed to the extent that the church in Jerusalem was in continual need of financial support from other churches. Also, we don’t have any evidence this continued very long.

b. All who believed were together: The Jews had a tremendous custom of hospitality during any major feast like Pentecost. Visitors were received into private homes, and no one could charge for giving a bed or a room to a visitor or for supplying their basic needs. The Christians took this tremendous feast-time hospitality and made it an everyday thing.

c. Sold their possessions and their goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need: The power of God is evident here because Jesus became much more important to them than their possessions.

4. The Christian family lived together and grew (46–47)

a. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house: The church is meant to worship God and learn His Word together. Yet it is meant to do more; God wants us to share our lives with one another.

b. Praising God and having favor with all the people: Their Christian experience was daily, joyful and simple—good examples for us to follow.

c. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved: This is God’s prescription for church growth. If we take care to follow the example of Acts 2:42–47a, God will take care of growing the church Himself.

Guzik, D. (2013). Acts. Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

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