Chapter Two –
Coming of Power – 1st Gospel Sermon
ACTS 2:43-47:
In our previous lesson, we witnessed the completion of all the Apostles of
Jesus Christ were commanded to do; preach, baptize, and teach (Matthew
28:18-20). From the beginning of this lesson to the end of the
chapter, we will see as a result of the Apostles doctrine (teaching), a
uniquely different kind of people bound by a unifying commonality that
elevated them above their base nature.
This becomes the first illustration of the transformational process that
takes place in the child of God through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2
Corinthians 3:18).
Text #1:
Acts 2:43-45 “Then
fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the
apostles.
44
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45
and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone
had need.”
Fear:
The fear being mentioned here is a reverential fear of the power of God.
These obedient disciples have been witnesses to the mighty power of God in
the demonstrated sign of tongues by the Apostles of Christ (not gibberish,
but actual languages –
Acts 2:8). However, the sign itself
would mean nothing without the accompanied words of truth.
This fearful by-product of the word confirmed by signs (Mark
16:20), produced a dread of the wrath of God that they had now
escaped, and a desire to reside in that safety. This fearful respect for the
power of God would be confirmed in them again by the continued wonders and
signs being produced by the Apostles. We will also note that this fear would
be reproduced when the authority of the Holy Spirit in the Apostles of Jesus
would be challenged by a lie. After the demonstration of the power of God
through the Apostles again; note the result:
Acts 5:11
“So
great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”
Through the Apostles:
The wonders performed by the Apostles of Jesus as a sign of the power they
have received is being confirmed here, and goes on to demonstrate that they
alone had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit promised to them by the
Lord (Acts
1:4-5;
2:1-4). This would continue to be
their exclusive domain until they would lay their hands on others and
distribute the spiritual gifts found in –
1
Corinthians 12:7-11, to faithful brethren (see:
6:5-6;
8:4-8);
who however, could not pass these gifts on to others (Acts
8:14-17).
All Things in Common:
This did not mean that they lived together, nor did it mean that [all]
the disciples sold their possessions. It was not a command for them to sell
their possessions (Acts
4:32;
5:4). There were needs, and this was
freely done to supply the needs among themselves (needy saints).
It is evident that their new found restoration through Christ Jesus was
their priority, not earthly possessions.
We should consider that the needs spoken of here have arisen because many of
these believers were not year around residence of Jerusalem. Many had
traveled many miles to be here for the Passover and Pentecost. It was their
custom to leave shortly after the feast, so many would not have the
resources to remain and continue to be educated by the Apostles. The year
around brethren would be the ones who are making it possible for them to
stay.
Text #2:
Acts 2:46-47 “So
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily those who were being saved.”
One Accord:
This is associated with the commonality they had in
verse
44; which goes to illustrate their priority at this time. They
were, for all intents and purposes,
“seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things will be added to you” –
Matthew 6:33.
The Apostles of Jesus remained in Jerusalem as they were instructed and also
were of “one accord” in prayer,
supplications, praising, blessing God, and waiting for the promise of the
Father, which they had heard from Jesus (Luke
24:52-53;
Acts 1:13-14;
2:1).
In both examples, the unifying power is brought about by the guidance of and
following the righteous instructions of God.
Temple:
The early disciples of Christ used the temple complex as a place for daily
instruction, prayer, etc…
Luke 24:53. Temple worship of the
Old Law is not the practice of these early Christians; simply the
convenience of a large place to assemble to learn and practice that which
the Apostles instruct. We must remember the prophetic words of our Lord to
the woman by the well in Samaria:
John 4:21-24 “Jesus
said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is
coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem,
worship the Father.
22
You worship what you do not know; we know what we
worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
23
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true
worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is
seeking such to worship Him.
24
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship in spirit and truth.”
We learn from the Apostles Paul and Peter that the altar of worship would be
within our hearts.
Romans 12:1-2
“I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is
your reasonable service.
2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.”
1 Peter 3:15 “But
sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give
a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear”
Ate Their Food:
The term “Breaking Bread”, as we
have already discussed, is a universal term which describes a meal. It is
used in
verse 42
as a spiritual meal, and here is used as a common meal by the use of the
word “Ate”.
This word is one of several derivatives of the Greek “Geuo”,
which describes perceiving flavor, to partake for enjoyment; all of which
describe the satisfaction of the flesh. This word is absent in
verse 42;
however, it is used here to describe the common meals that many partook
together in gladness and simplicity of heart (obviously absent of malice,
selfishness, etc…).
The Lord Added:
The Lord added to the “Called Out”
daily (from the Greek, “Ekklesia”,
which is referring to those who have escaped the perverted generation), to
them, such as were repeating this very process recorded in
verses
37-41.
Acts 5:14 “And
believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and
women”
Here we learn that being added to the
“Called Out” is the same as
being added to the Lord (which we learn is being added to His body –
Ephesians 1:23).
The importance of that is found here:
Ephesians 5:23 “For
the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church;
and He is the Savior of the body.”
The Lord does not make mistakes, so all those who are following the
precedence setting course of action are being added to the
“Called Out”. Thus, one cannot
be added to the “Called Out”
except those who by this prescribed process are added by God (believing,
repenting, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and continuing in the
Apostles doctrine).
They are being made safe from their past transgressions (1
John 3:4),
and the eternal punishment that is due sinful man. The Lord writes the names
of members of His body in the Book of Life (Philippians
3:20-21
– “Our citizenship is in heaven”;
4:3
– “Whose names are written in the
Book of Life”;
Hebrews 12:22-24
– “registered in heaven”). If we
remain faithful, He will not blot our names out of the Book of Life (Revelation
3:5;
20:15).
Next: “A
Lame Man Healed”