acts-4:32,-acts-5:11

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 4:32-35

The unity of the church 4:32-35This brief pericope illustrates what Luke wrote earlier in Acts 2:44-46 about the early Christians sharing and selling their possessions as well as giving verbal witness. Luke recorded this description to emphasize the purity and unity in the church that resulted from the Spirit’s filling (Acts 4:31). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:1-37

Arrest of Peter and John1-22. Arrest of Peter and John. Peter’s speech before the Sanhedrin. The proceedings of the Apostles displeased the authorities, (1) because they taught the people (Acts 4:2) without having received the education and ordination of rabbis (cp. Acts 4:13); (2) because they preached the Resurrection, a doctrine particularly distasteful to the Sadducees, the dominant party among the influential members of the priesthood; (3) because they feared that the people would become... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 4:32

(32) And the multitude of them that believed.—Literally, And the heart and the soul of the multitude of those that believed were one. Of the two words used to describe the unity of the Church, “heart” represented, as in Hebrew usage, rather the intellectual side of character (Mark 2:6; Mark 2:8; Mark 11:23; Luke 2:35; Luke 3:15; Luke 6:45, et al.), and “soul,” the emotional (Luke 2:35; Luke 12:22; John 12:27, et al.). As with most like words, however, they often overlap each other, and are used... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Acts 4:1-37

No Other Name Acts 4:12 I wish to give reasons, deep and abiding reasons, for believing that the Apostles spoke, under the guidance of the Spirit, an eternal truth. It is by understanding the idea of salvation that we see the justice of this exclusive claim. There are four points out of many on which we will dwell just now. I. God the Father is only known through the Son. Plato recognises, but does not know God. The heart of the stoic emperor, Marcus Aurelius, is brave and resigned, but... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Acts 4:32-35

Chapter 10 THE COMMUNITY OF GOODS.Acts 4:32-35THE community of goods and its results next claim our attention in the course of this sacred record of primitive Church life. The gift of tongues and this earliest attempt at Christian communism were two special features of apostolic, or perhaps we should rather say of Jerusalem, Christianity. The gift of tongues we find at one or two other places, at Caesarea on the first conversion of the Gentiles, at Ephesus and at Corinth. It then disappeared.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Acts 4:1-37

CHAPTER 4 1. Their Arrest (Acts 4:1-3 ). 2. The Result of the Testimony (Acts 4:4 ). 3. Peter and John before the Rulers and Elders (Acts 4:5-7 ). 4. Peter’s bold witness (Acts 4:8-12 ). 5. The astonished Sanhedrin and their Release (Acts 4:13-22 ). 6. With their own company (Acts 4:23-31 ). 7. The saved multitude (Acts 4:32-37 ). The enemy begins now his acts, and the first indication is given that the offer God’s mercy was making to the nation would not be accepted. The Holy Spirit... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Acts 4:32

4:32 {12} And the multitude of them that believed were of {o} one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.(12) An example of the true Church, in which there is equal consent both in doctrine and in charity toward one another: and the pastors deliver true doctrine both sincerely and constantly.(o) They agreed in counsel, will, and all plans. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:1-37

The religious leaders were greatly agitated by the public speaking of the apostles, and the Sadducees particularly, for one of their cardinal doctrines was the denial of any resurrection. They were evidently horrified at the thought that God would dare to raise Christ from amongst the dead when they did not believe in resurrection! But pre-conceived falsehood will blind a man with unreasoning prejudice. Peter and John were then imprisoned until the next day. However, their word had been most... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Acts 4:21-37

VARIED EXPERIENCES UNITY OF LOVE (Acts 4:31-37 ) The quickening in the last lesson was associated with another outpouring of the Holy Spirit but not another “baptism,” and some who had been filled before were refilled, with results following: (1) courage in preaching (Acts 4:31 ); (2) unity of soul (Acts 4:32 ); (3) power in testimony (Acts 4:33 ); and (4) love in practical conduct (Acts 4:34-37 ). This last result has sometimes been quoted as favoring Christian communism, but it is to be... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Acts 4:31-37

Chapter 12 Prayer Almighty God, we have heard that power belongeth unto thee, and we are afraid: we have also heard that mercy belongeth unto thee, and we are no longer under the bondage of fear. We come to thy mercy in Christ Jesus, and we have no dread, but an inspiring and indestructible joy. We are all prodigals. We come today from a far country, and we bring back nothing with us but hunger, and shame, and nakedness, and self-reproach. God be merciful unto us, sinners. Thy Church was built... read more