A Study in Acts...Chapter 2 (3)
A Vital Church Grows
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
The Apostles Teaching
At the beginning most of the responsibility for the work of the Church fell upon the shoulders of the apostles. They were the pastors, evangelists, teachers, and counselors for the whole body. They were concerned for the well-being of all, not only spiritually but physically and materially as well.
The Spirit had baptized the three thousand into the body of Christ (see 1 Cor. 12:13). God never saves us to wander off by ourselves. Consequently the three thousand new believers did not scatter but remained together and “devoted themselves” continuously to the apostles’ “teaching and … fellowship,” continuing together also in “the breaking of bread and … prayer.”
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
Fellowship
Fellowship was experienced in the process of teaching. It was more than getting together. It was a partnership in the purposes of the Church and a sharing in its message and work. As in 1 John 1:3, the Word, as witnessed to by the teaching of the apostles, brought this fellowship, a fellowship not only with the apostles but also “with the Father and with his Son.”
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
Breaking of Bread
The “breaking of bread” (Gk. tou artou, “of the bread”) some writers take to mean only the Lord’s Supper, but it also includes table fellowship. Believers could not observe the Lord’s Supper in the temple, so this was done in their homes, at first in connection with a meal (since Jesus instituted it at the close of the Passover meal). Paul would later have to deal with the problems caused by the way the Corinthian believers ate the meal and observed the Lord’s Supper, so we do not observe it in connection with a meal today (see 1 Cor. 11:17–34; the breaking of bread was intended to foster unity; instead, it was promoting division).
17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Examine Yourself
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
Prayer
23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the LORD and against His Christ.’
27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Miraculous Signs and Wonders
The continuing witness of the apostles to the resurrection of Jesus brought an awe, a reverential response to the presence of the supernatural, on every one of the believers. This was further enhanced by the “many wonders and miraculous signs” done by the apostles, that is, done by God through the apostles. The Greek indicates secondary agency. God really did the work (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6).
Later, God gave miracles through many others. But here the apostles had the teaching from Jesus and the background of His encouragement of their faith. The miracles were not for display but rather to confirm the Word, the teaching (see Mark 16:20).
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Sharing Community
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
The believers remained together in fellowship and had things “in common.” Many sold pieces of land they owned and personal property as well. The money was distributed to those in need. “Anyone as he had need” is a key statement: They did not sell property until there was a need.
This was not communism in the modern sense, or even communal living. It was just Christians caring and sharing with love. They all realized the importance of becoming established in the apostles’ teaching. Some of those visiting Jerusalem for Pentecost soon ran out of money, so those who were able simply sold what they could to make it possible for them to stay. Later Peter made it clear that no one was under any compulsion to sell anything or give anything (Acts 5:4; cf. 2 Cor. 9:7). But the fellowship, joy, and love made it easy to share what they had (cf. 1 John 3:17).
17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
Making Disciples
We can be sure that the believers’ praise found expression also in “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” with gratitude to God in their hearts (Col. 3:16). The result was that they found favor (were well liked and enjoyed good relations) with the whole of the people of Jerusalem (cf. 4:33; 5:13). Others saw their unity, their devotion to God, their daily worship in the temple, and their love for one another. From Acts 1:8 we can be sure they continually witnessed to others in the power of the Spirit. Thus the Lord kept adding to the Church day by day “those who were being saved.” These the Church joyfully accepted, we may be sure.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.