Acts 2:46-47

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:41-47

Spiritual fervor. The Pentecostal outpour was more than a mere flashing forth of Divine energy, suddenly emitted and immediately withdrawn; it was the communication of Divine power which remained in the Church and resulted in lasting spiritual fervor. This fervor, no doubt, took certain exceptional and temporary forms. 1. There were miracles wrought by the apostles ( Acts 2:43 ). 2. There was a community of goods ( Acts 2:44 , Acts 2:45 ), which was so far from being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:41-47

Effects of the Pentecostal day. I. IMMEDIATE CHANGE ON THE PART OF MANY . Three thousand were found receptive to the truth, so powerfully attested in word and deed, and submitted to baptism. II. PERSEVERANCE IN DISCIPLESHIP . That the conversion was genuine is shown by their diligent attention to the apostolic instruction, and frequentation of the Christian society. Perhaps no better tests of genuine change can be found. The breaking of bread and the prayers stand... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:42-47

The first regime of the body of Christ's disciples as a Christian community. "And they continued steadfastly … such as should be saved." It may be conceded that the history in these verses acknowledges to some appearance of repetition. This is appearance, however, rather than reality. The first of these verses gives in the highest possible form the headings of a subject which is developed a little more fully in the following five verses; and these same verses find room for a touch or two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:43-47

The spiritual commonwealth. The Bible not intended to be a statute-book for nations, but a Book of Divine principles, which, while they should underlie all legislation, are not intended to supersede the natural development of human law. The glimpse into the earliest Church life specially helpful to God's people, indirectly so to the world. Confirmation of the Acts in heathen authors, as Lucian, in his 'Peregrinus Proteus,' who refers to the community of goods and other features of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:43-47

The Church's immediate assertion of her own moral forces. "And fear came upon every soul … daily such as should be saved." For many an institution of human society it is most easy to fix the date for the commencement of its operation, and to assign its term. It is one among many of the marks of Christianity that, once embodied, it begins its work there and then, and begins it never to pause, never to cease, till it is all finished. The peculiar and, at the same time, rightful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:46

Day by day continuing steadfastly for they continuing daily, A.V. ; at home for from house to house, A.V. ; they did take their food for did eat their meat, A.V. In the temple . It is very remarkable that at this early age of the Church's existence Christians did not deem themselves separated from their Jewish brethren, or from the Old Testament institutions. Christianity was but Judaism perfected; the gospel the full blossoming of the Law. The first Christian Jews, therefore, did not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:47

To them day by day for to the Church daily, A.V. and T.R.; those that were being sated for such as should be saved, A.V. Added to them day by day. The R.T. has instead of τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ the words ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό , which in Acts 2:1 are properly rendered "in one place," but do not seem to be rendered at all in the R.V. of this verse. In fact, they have no sense unless you construe them with τοὺς σωζομένους , "those who escaped to the same place," i.e. to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:47

God's work amongst men. "And the Lord added," etc. Difficulty of reading history, especially Christian history, without reading into it our own prejudices and opinions. Infancy of the Church an important study; but as an adult often misunderstands a child, so we must beware of misconstruction of the simple facts. Yet a great good in getting as near as possible to the purity and unsophisticated artlessness of the primitive Church; a fresher, sweeter, more beautiful life. Connect this last... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 2:46

With one accord - Compare Acts 1:14; Acts 2:1.In the temple - This was the public place of worship; and the disciples were not disposed to leave the place where their fathers had so long worshipped God. This does not mean that they were constantly in the temple, but only at the customary hours of prayer - at nine o’clock in the morning, and at three o’clock in the afternoon.And breaking bread - See the notes on Acts 2:42.From house to house - In the margin, “at home.” So the Syriac and Arabic.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 2:47

Praising God - See Luke 24:53.And having favour - See Luke 2:52.With all the people - That is, with the great mass of the people; with the people generally. It does not mean that all the people had become reconciled to Christianity; but their humble, serious, and devoted lives won the favor of the great mass of the community, and silenced opposition and cavil. This was a remarkable effect, but God has power to silence opposition; and there it nothing so well suited to do this as the humble and... read more

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