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Matthew Henry

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 2:43

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 2:43

Verse 43 43.And there came. He signifieth unto us that the show and sight of the Church was such, that it made others afraid which did not consent unto [its] doctrine; and that was done for the preserving and furthering of the Church. When there ariseth any seen all men set themselves stoutly against the same; and as novelty is odious, the Jews would never have suffered the Church of Christ to stand one minute of an hour, (144) unless the Lord had restrained them with fear as with a bridle.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:37-47

Holy baptism. As the sermon preached by St. Peter on the day of Pentecost was the first sermon preached in the Church of God, so the baptism of which we have here an account was the first ministration of that sacrament. Our Lord's last command to his apostles was, "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost", and now for the first time that command was carried out. A few points of special interest and importance are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:37-47

Effects of the Divine power upon the heart. I. COMPUNCTION . Fear is awakened by every drawing near of God to man. And with fear is closely connected the sense of sin. Stated from the other side, the truth is: behind the power of God lies his holiness, which is as a consuming fire. The deepest seat of fear is not in our physical but in our moral instincts. Thus the fear awakened by the revelation of the All-holy is itself a witness to the fact that conscience is the central unity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 2:41-44

Early impulses of Christian disciples. Estimate the fervor of feeling which those knew who had found the Messiah; had found him altogether more glorious, more spiritual, than their highest thoughts had ever conceived, and actually felt the joy of forgiveness from him, and the inward witness of his sealing Spirit. It was a time of rapture and intensity, in which all selfish thoughts would be easily overcome, and the common joy bind all together in common bonds. In their enthusiasm they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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