40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 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. 46 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.
Commentary
Vs. 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”
Even though not all of Peter’s sermon is included here there is plenty to feast one’s soul upon. Now the Apostle Peter in compelling people to repent and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, also exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Which is so relevant today, as we clearly see this world and the people of it degenerating into their own version of Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore, do not follow after them, but rather turn away from them and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who will give you Light and Life so that you may escape them, and the Judgment that is coming on them, the moment you believe in Him. Therefore, be saved from this perverse generation, receive and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for yourself!
Vs. 41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
Now the effect of Peters Spirit filled preaching was immediate, for about three thousand souls (i.e. men and woman) gladly received his word, and so they were all baptized and were numbered amongst them.
Vs. 42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
These people then in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ also then continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine, for no one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will oppose His Word given us through His apostles in the N.T. For just as they did, so do we want to continue on in the Apostle’s doctrine. Same with having fellowship with each other, here listed as in the breaking of communal bread and in prayers which marked the early churches gatherings. For there is in every believer a desire to be with other believers and to serve and share and worship together with them. Thus, in being separated to God we are freed from the world and its Godless pursuits and desires!
Vs. 43 “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”
Not only was God’s fellowship there with them, but also His fear, which is not the fear of unbelieving mankind that comes upon them at the Presence of God, but the reverential fear that comes upon every soul who believes and obeys Him. Now because of that, of their collective fear of the Lord, many signs and wonders were done through the apostles amongst them, whereby He no doubt confirmed them, and their faith in Him to them. The early church then was going to established by God by doing such things through His apostles, who themselves were representing the Lord Jesus Christ to them.
Vs. 44-45 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.
The growth of the early church then was not just in numbers, but in God’s love for each other, so much so that all who believed were together and they held all things in common. For having found their true riches in Christ their greed and selfishness soon gave way to their wanting to be with each other and their experiencing God’s love and expressing it towards one another above all else. No one then had need of anything, for each one was now looking out for each other’s wellbeing. Now all of this was done voluntarily by those there, thus there was neither a dictate or command that compelled them to do so. And so, though this passage reveals a very compelling picture of what every believer wants; to be in a loving community of believers; however, I must caution that this passage (and others like it, i.e. Acts 4:32-36) has sadly through the ages been used by false teachers and cults to compel or mislead people into going into isolated communities whereby they only become exploited or abused by them. Again, these things were a work of the Holy Spirits outpouring in the earth, and so just as with tongues speaking (which served its own purpose and witness) this also soon ceased as God does not intend His people to live isolated lives from the world; separated and sanctified lives yes; isolated lives no. Therefore, beware of anyone who now cites this as “the church model” of needing to isolate oneself from the world around them. For the believers still had contact with their unsaved Jewish family members and brethren, they still went to their work and labors, they still went to the Temple and or the marketplaces etc. Therefore, the sharing of one’s possessions through love is the model being exemplified here, not forming colonies and isolated communities that only end up living by their own man-made rules and decrees. And thus, soon become models more or less of legalistic and spiritual bondage (and all the weight and burden that goes with that) rather what we see here is the brethren truly living and manifesting Christs love and abundance of life to one and to all. Therefore, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and thus be filled with His love and compassion for all, especially your brethren, and consider those who are in genuine need around you, and share and give as you purpose in your own heart, thereby laying up your treasures for the Kingdom to Come, but do not feel compelled to surrender all of your possessions to the church or its leader or leadership since God is more than capable of distributing through you what He has given and entrusted you with (2 Cor 9:6-9).
Vs. 46-47 46 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.
With the Holy Spirits outpouring and the rapid growth of the early believers we see that they were daily seeking God in the Temple, while having shared fellowship with each other from house to house, they learned the apostles doctrine and continued on in it. And so, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, being fully content with Christ because once one’s souls’ hunger is satisfied everything else is a bonus! Their lives down here then were no longer marked by the worries and anxieties or frustrations and anger and despair that once plague them when they were dead in their own sins and transgressions. For now, having remission of all their sins and being brought to new and everlasting life by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ praising God was a reflection of who they now are, a redeemed and regenerated and united people whose purposes and being was now bound with heavens! Therefore, having much thanksgiving and delight in the Lord their lives clearly reflected this, and so they had favor with all people as their joy and contentment was self-evident to all. Therefore, the Lord was also daily adding to the church those who were being saved, because a contagious Christian is contagious! That said, as we will see when a contagious Christian or Christians begin to make an impact upon those around them, the ruler of this world will begin to stir up his own opposition against them. For even though our Lord reigns and heaven is His Throne and our home, and thus our victory is already forever secured (John 10:27-30), this world is where the battle for the souls of mankind must play out. (see page 1590 Believers Bible Commentary for an excellent article on the church)
Scripture Quotations
New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.
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