Acts 2:42 - Meaning and Application

We often speak of the early church and look back to it for guidance. Here we see the true earliest church, in its first days. It was still young, but that also meant it was at its purest and most innocent stage.

First, they stayed close to the holy practices God appointed, and they grew strong in all acts of devotion. When Christianity is received in its real power, it draws the soul into fellowship with God in the ways he has set before us. They were steady and faithful in hearing the word. They continued in the apostles’ teaching, and did not turn away from it. By baptism, they had been made disciples to be taught, and they were willing to learn.

Those who have given their names to Christ must make it a serious duty to hear his word. In doing so, they honor him and build themselves up in the faith. They also kept the fellowship of believers. They continued in fellowship (Acts 2:42), and met daily with one accord in the temple (Acts 2:46). They did more than feel kindly toward one another, they spent much time together and shared life closely. When they pulled away from the crooked generation around them, they did not become loners. Instead, they stayed very close to one another, and wherever you found one disciple, you would likely find others nearby.

You can see how Christians loved one another. They cared about one another, shared each other’s sorrow, and truly took each other’s interests to heart. They also shared in public worship together. They met in the temple, which was their meeting place, because shared fellowship with God is the best fellowship we can have with one another (John 1:3). They were there every day, not just on Sabbaths and feast days. Worshiping God should be our daily work, and when public worship is possible, the more often it happens, the better. God loves the gates of Zion, and so should we.

They were also “with one accord,” meaning there was not only no quarrel among them, but much holy love. They joined together warmly in public worship. Though they met with the Jews in the temple courts, the Christians kept together by themselves and were united in their separate devotions. They also often took part in the breaking of bread, which means the Lord’s Supper, the memorial of their Master’s death. They were not ashamed to confess their tie to Christ and him crucified. They did not forget Christ’s death, but kept this reminder of it as a settled practice, because Christ himself appointed it for the church to keep through all generations.

They broke bread from house to house, or house by house. They did not think it proper to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in the temple, since this was special to Christian worship. So they used private homes, choosing houses of converted believers that were suitable for gathering. These homes became little meeting places, even like household chapels, where they shared the Supper with those who normally met there to worship God.

They also continued in prayer. After the Holy Spirit was poured out, just as before they had been waiting for him, they remained earnest in prayer. Prayer will never be replaced until it is lost in everlasting praise. The breaking of bread stands between their work and their prayer, because it connects with both and helps both. The Lord’s Supper is like a sermon to the eye, and it confirms God’s word to us. It also strengthens our prayers and gives a solemn way for our souls to rise to God.

They also overflowed with thanksgiving, continually praising God (Acts 2:47). Thanksgiving should have a place in every prayer, not be pushed aside to the corner. Those who have received the gift of the Holy Spirit will be much given to praise.

Second, they loved one another and treated one another with great kindness. Their charity was as noticeable as their devotion, and their shared worship bound their hearts closely together. They often met for Christian conversation. “All who believed were together” (Acts 2:44). This does not mean all those thousands were in one place at once, which would not have been possible. As Dr. Lightfoot explains it, they stayed together in smaller groups or congregations, according to their languages, nations, or other natural associations. Since they gathered apart from unbelievers and shared the same faith and duties, they are said to be together, in the same place and purpose.

They also had all things in common. Perhaps they shared common tables, like the old Spartans, so they could enjoy fellowship, temperance, and free conversation. They ate together so that those with much would not be tempted by plenty, and those with little would not be troubled by lack. Or it may mean they had such concern for one another, and such readiness to help whenever needed, that it could truly be said they had all things in common. By the law of friendship, one lacked nothing another had, because he could ask for it.

They were also cheerful and generous in using what they had. Besides the devotion shown in their sacred meals, like the breaking of bread from house to house, the same spirit showed up in their ordinary meals. They ate their food with gladness and sincere hearts. They carried the comfort of God’s table with them to their own tables, and this had two good effects. First, it made them joyful and filled their hearts with holy gladness. They ate their bread with joy and drank their wine with a glad heart, knowing that God accepted their work. No one has more reason to be cheerful than a good Christian, and it is a shame if such a person is not often so.

Second, it made them generous toward poor believers and widened their hearts in charity. They ate their food with singleness of heart, or, as some say, with a free and open heart. They did not eat alone in selfishness. Instead, they welcomed the poor to their table, not grudgingly, but with hearty freedom. It fits Christians to be open-hearted and open-handed, and to give generously in every good work, as those on whom God has already poured out his gifts and who hope to receive a rich harvest in return.

They also raised a fund for charity, as Acts 2:45 says. They sold their possessions and goods, and some sold lands and houses. Others sold their stock and the furniture in their homes, and they shared the money with their brothers and sisters as each one had need. This was meant to destroy selfishness, not property, as Mr. Baxter says. It likely also answered Christ’s command to the rich young man as a test of his sincerity: “Sell what you have and give to the poor.”

This was not meant to be a standing rule for all Christians in every place and age, as if every believer had to sell all their property and give everything away. Paul’s letters later still speak of both rich and poor, and Christ said we will always have the poor with us. The rich are meant to keep doing good from the income and value of what they own, which they could not do if they sold everything at once. But this was an unusual case. They were not under a direct command from God to do this, as Peter showed when he said to Ananias, “Was it not in your own power?” (Acts 5:4).

Still, their giving was a very worthy sign of their freedom from the love of the world, their contempt for it, their trust in another world, their love for their brothers and sisters, their pity for the poor, and their strong desire to help Christianity grow in its early days. The apostles had left everything to follow Christ, and they were to give themselves fully to the word and prayer, so they also needed support. In that way, this generous giving was like Israel in the wilderness, who gave so much for the tabernacle that they had to be restrained (Exodus 36:5-6). Our rule is to give according to how God has blessed us. Yet in a case like this, those who gave beyond their means are rightly praised (2 Corinthians 8:3).

Also, these were Jews who did this. Those who believed in Christ had to understand that the Jewish nation would soon be destroyed, and that possession of land and goods there would come to an end. In that faith, they sold their property and used it for the present work of Christ and his church.

God showed his approval by giving clear signs of his presence with them, as Acts 2:43 says. Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles in many forms, proving their teaching and showing beyond doubt that it came from God. The apostles could have supported themselves and the poor among them by miracles, as Christ fed thousands with little food. But it brought just as much glory to God that people were moved by grace to sell their property for this purpose. The Lord did more than give them power to work miracles. He also kept adding people to the church every day. Their preaching accomplished wonders, and God blessed their work as more believers were brought in. It is God’s work to add souls to the church, and it is a great comfort to ministers and Christians to see him doing it.

The people outside the church were also affected by what they saw. First, they feared the apostles and showed them respect (Acts 2:43). Fear came upon many people who saw the wonders and signs, and they worried that failing to honor these men might bring ruin on their nation. Ordinary people stood in awe of them, as Herod feared John. The apostles had no outward display to demand respect, like the scribes and their long robes, but they had spiritual gifts that were truly honorable, and these gave people a deep reverence for them. Their preaching and their manner of life had a strong effect on people’s hearts.

Second, the people favored them. We can be sure some despised and hated them, especially the Pharisees and chief priests, but most ordinary people were kind toward them, and they had favor with all the people. Christ had been fiercely attacked by a stirred-up crowd shouting, “Crucify him,” so it might have seemed that his teaching and followers would never again win public support. Yet here they are in favor with the people, which shows that the attack on Christ was pushed by the priests’ tricks and pressure, not by the people’s settled judgment. Then they came back to their senses. Sincere godliness and charity will win respect, and cheerful service to God will make religion attractive to outsiders. Some also read this as meaning they had love toward all the people, not limiting their kindness to their own group. That wide charity made them much respected.

Third, some of the people joined them. New believers were coming in every day, though not as many as on the first day, and they were those who should be saved. Those whom God has chosen for eternal salvation will, at some time, be brought effectively to Christ. And those who come to Christ are added to the church through baptism, as a holy covenant, and through other ordinances in holy fellowship.