Acts 4:32-35

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:32

Verse 32 32.And the multitude. In this place there are three things commended; that the faithful were all of one mind; that there was a mutual partaking of goods amongst them; that the apostles behaved themselves stoutly in announcing the resurrection of Christ. He saith that the multitudehad one heart; because this is far more excellent than if a few men should have a mutual consent. And heretofore he hath declared, that the Church did grow to be about five thousand. And now he saith that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:33

Verse 33 33.And with great power. This third member appertaineth to doctrine. For Luke doth signify that the zeal which the apostles had to preach the gospel was so far from being diminished, that they were rather endowed with new power. Whereas he doth only name the resurrection of Christ, it is synecdoche; for this part is put for the whole gospel. But Luke maketh mention of the resurrection alone, because it is, as it were, the furnishing or fulfilling of the gospel; and, secondly, because... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 4:34

Verse 34 34.For so many as were. Although this be an universal speech, yet is it all one as if it were indefinite. And assuredly it is to be thought that there were many which did not diminish their possessions, and that may be gathered out of the text, [context.] For when he speaketh of Joses anon, undoubtedly he meant to note a notable example, passing all others. Therefore he saith, that all did that which many did every where; neither doth this disagree with the common use of the Scripture.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:23-37

The resource of the devout, etc. Released from the restraint of law, the apostles returned to "their own company," and there they related what they had passed through. We may be sure that the whole of that community of brethren entered, with deep and strong sympathy, into the feelings of their two leaders; they all felt that a very critical hour had come to that new cause which they represented. Under these circumstances they bethought themselves of— I. THE RESOURCE OF THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32

Soul for of one soul, A.V. ; and not one of them said for neither said any of them, A.V. The great increase in the number of believers had been recorded in Acts 4:4 . And the state of public feeling alluded to in Acts 4:21 makes it likely that yet more may have been converted to the faith. This was very important, no doubt; but it was scarcely less so that this great multitude were one in heart and soul, closely united in the bonds of Christian fellowship and love. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32

Christian communism. "And the multitude of them that believed," etc. The Bible not a book of politics or earthly legislation. Danger of misapplying its teaching, by forgetting that it does not dictate formal rules and creeds, but describes the working out of great principles. The social problem of human history—reconciliation of individual advancement with social and organic progress; failure of all merely human attempts; danger of men's experiments; despondency; revolution; selfishness of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32

Nothing our own. "The chief way in which at that time a member of the Church could express his unshaken devotion to the common cause, or his willingness to sacrifice to the last penny for the common weal, was by placing his realized capital at the disposal of the brotherhood. The endangered position of the little community (through the enmity of the Sadducean party) thus tended to inflame the fervor of its charity, and gave a new impetus to that common relief fund which had been started at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-35

The host of God drawing together in readiness for action. I. A COMMON SPIRIT in the believing multitude. 1. The spirit of faith. 2. Of self-sacrifice. 3. Of fellowship. 4. Of service. They were of one heart and soul to speak and work for the new kingdom. II. A COMMUNITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY . The simple and natural expression of the common spirit. Not the modern communism, or anything like it, for that is man's experiment to better himself; but the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-35

A novel unanimity. It is safe to say that this verse marks one of the world's largest moral strides of progress. It is a landmark in itself, of widest significance. It is a moral landmark of deepest and most grateful omen. Travel through the whole history of the Old Testament, and you come to no spot that can show a sight like this. The nearest approach to it some finger-post prophetic, prophetic of nothing else than this. From this landmark the world has confessedly traveled on again... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 4:32-37

Church unity. We speak in these dark days of unity in Christ, of brotherly love, of the communion of saints. But what do we see when we look around at the multitude of them that believe? We see some forty or fifty denominations of Christians, all keeping apart from one another, not willing to meet together, to pray together, or to receive the Holy Communion together. These different bodies are constantly at different degrees of strife with each other; sometimes waging actual war one... read more

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