Acts 2:42-47

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 2:42-47

We often speak of the primitive church, and appeal to it, and to the history of it; in these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it, its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence. I. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in all instances of piety and devotion, for Christianity, admitted in the power of it, will dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has appointed us to meet him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 2:42-47

2:42-47 They persevered in listening to the apostles' teaching, in the fellowship. in the breaking of bread and in prayers. Awe was in every soul; and many signs and wonders were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and they were in the habit of selling their goods and possessions and of distributing them amongst all as each had need. Daily they continued with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house they received their food with joy and in sincerity... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:42

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine ,.... And which is the same with the doctrine of Christ, of which he is the author, preacher, and subject; the substance of which is peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation by him: this the apostles received from Christ, and constantly taught in their ministry; for which reason, it is called theirs; and this these young converts had embraced gladly; and were not only believers of it, but persevering believers; they were constant... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:43

Upon every inhabitant of Jerusalem, at least upon a great many of them; and upon all, or the greater part of them that saw, and heard these things; that heard the apostles speak with divers tongues, and Peter preach in the awful manner he did, and saw so many thousands at once embrace the Gospel of Christ, and profess his name, when it now, by reason of his crucifixion but a few weeks ago, lay under the greatest reproach and scandal; and such a number baptized in water; and also because of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:44

And all that believed were together ,.... Not in one place, for no one house could hold them all, their number was now so large; but they "agreed together", as the Arabic version renders it: all these believers were of one mind and judgment, as to doctrines, they agreed in their sentiments and principles of religion; and they were of one heart and soul, were cordially affected to each other, and mutually were assisting to one another in temporals, as well as in spirituals: and had all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:45

And sold their possessions and goods ..... Their houses and lands, their fields and vineyards, their goods, moveable or immoveable: and parted them to all men ; that were of their society, not to others: as every man had need : the rich sold their estates, and divided them among the poor, or gave them such a portion thereof as their present exigencies required. This was done by Jews, and by Jews only; who, when they embraced the Gospel of Christ, were informed that the destruction of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:46

And they continued daily with one accord in the temple ,.... Every day they went up to the temple, at the time of prayer, or whenever any religious service was to be performed; this was their constant practice, and in this they agreed: and breaking bread from house to house ; either administering the Lord's supper in private houses, as the Jews kept their passover, sometimes administering it at one house, and sometimes at another; or because their number was so large, that one house... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 2:47

Praising God ,.... Not only for their temporal mercies and enjoyments of life, which they partook of in so delightful and comfortable a manner; but for their spiritual mercies, that the Lord had been pleased to call them by his grace, and reveal Christ to them, and pardon them who had been such vile sinners, give them a name, and a place in his house, and favour them with the ordinances of it, and such agreeable and delightful company as the saints were, they had fellowship with: having... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:42

They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine - They received it, retained it, and acted on its principles. And fellowship - Κοινωνιᾳ , community; meaning association for religious and spiritual purposes, The community of goods cannot be meant; for this is mentioned Acts 2:44 , Acts 2:45 , where it is said, they had all things common. And in breaking of bread - Whether this means the holy eucharist, or their common meals, it is difficult to say. The Syriac understands... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:43

And fear came upon every soul - Different MSS. and versions read this clause thus, And Great fear and Trembling came upon every soul in Jerusalem. For several weeks past they had a series of the most astonishing miracles wrought before their eyes; they were puzzled and confounded at the manner in which the apostles preached, who charged them home with the deliberate murder of Jesus Christ, and who attested, in the most positive manner, that he was risen from the dead, and that God had sent... read more

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