Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Learning Church-Apostles Teaching

Loving Church-Fellowship

Worship Church-Breaking of bread

Dependent Church-Prayer

The Book of the Acts (5. The First Christian Church (2:41–47))

42 Luke presents in this paragraph an ideal picture of this new community, rejoicing in the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Spirit. The community, the apostolic fellowship, was constituted on the basis of the apostolic teaching. This teaching was authoritative because it was the teaching of the Lord communicated through the apostles in the power of the Spirit.

The Book of the Acts 5. The First Christian Church (2:41–47)

The apostolic fellowship found expression in a number of practical ways, of which two are mentioned in verse 42—the breaking of bread and prayers. The “breaking of bread” probably denotes more than the regular taking of food together: the regular observance of what came to be called the Lord’s Supper seems to be in view.

2:42. Most special groups in antiquity ate together (mystery cults, Pharisaic fellowships, burial associations, etc.). Many Greek associations met for communal meals only once a month, however (contrast 2:46). This earliest Christian practice of daily meals (later reduced to weekly) is thus noteworthy.

Table fellowship denoted intimacy, and discussions or even lectures at meals were common. Given the topic of discussion recommended by Jewish pietists and what this text says about teaching and prayer (possibly including participation in the temple prayers—3:1), early Christian fellowship undoubtedly centered more on intimate worship, sharing and learning the Scriptures than its modern Western counterpart tends to do.

The Book of the Acts (5. The First Christian Church (2:41–47))

As for the prayers in which they participated, the primary reference is no doubt to their own appointed seasons for united prayer, although we know that the apostles also attended the Jewish prayer services in the temple (cf. 3:1). The community’s prayers would follow Jewish models, but their content would be enriched because of the Christ-event.

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

The Book of the Acts 5. The First Christian Church (2:41–47)

43 The conviction of sin that followed Peter’s preaching was no momentary panic, but filled the people with a lasting sense of awe. God was at work among them; they were witnessing the dawn of the new age. This impression was intensified by the wonders and signs performed through the apostles.

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

New Testament (2:41–47—The Power of Pentecost)

2:43–45. The Greek language Luke uses here is language that Pythagoreans and others used for the ideal, utopian community. Those who have argued that the early church made a mistake in 2:44–45 are thus reading their own views into the Bible, not hearing Luke’s message, because Luke portrays this radical lifestyle as the result of the outpouring of the Spirit.

The Book of the Acts 5. The First Christian Church (2:41–47)

This pooling of property could be maintained voluntarily only when their sense of spiritual unity was exceptionally active. As soon as the flame began to burn a little lower, the attempt to maintain the communal life was beset with serious difficulties.

45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

New Testament (2:41–47—The Power of Pentecost)

Some Jewish groups, like the group that lived at Qumran, followed the Pythagorean model and turned all their possessions over to the leaders of the community so they could all withdraw from society. That is hardly the case here, although the economic sharing is no less radical.

The early Christians acknowledge that Jesus owns both them and their property (cf. 4:32); they sell off property to meet needs as they arise (4:34–35) and open their homes as meeting places for fellow Christians (2:46).

These actions do not reflect an ascetic ideal, as in some Greek and Jewish sects, but instead the practice of radically valuing people over possessions. Such behavior reportedly continued among Christians well into the second century, and it was long ridiculed by pagans until pagan values finally overwhelmed the church.

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

New Testament 2:41–47—The Power of Pentecost

2:46–47. Temples were among the best public places to gather, and people often congregated there. There were hours of public prayer at the morning and evening offerings (3:1).

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Evangelistic Church

The Book of the Acts 5. The First Christian Church (2:41–47)

Within the community there was a spirit of rejoicing and generosity; outside it, they enjoyed great popular goodwill.