Acts Chapter TWO: (Part 2) 39-47

This is the second part of Acts chapter Two. This is quite lengthy, but if you are interested in understanding the Apostolic model of the early church…I would urge you to read.

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Verse 2:39: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Peter is saying that the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost is to the whole world. Yet later in the book of Acts, Peter shows resistance to non-Jews (Gentiles) being preached to (Acts chapter 10). Most likely Peter preached something under the influence of the Holy Ghost that he, himself, had not even fully rationalized. Many a preacher, still today, says things over a pulpit with prophetic significance that is only later revealed in its fullness.

Also the gift of the Holy Ghost is “for all whom the Lord our God will call.” It is still for people today! God has the exclusive right to call people into this wonderful gift. Someone may have preached to you, but you were still called by God.

Some people say that the infilling of the Holy Ghost is no longer necessary, based on 1 Corinthians chapter 13, that “tongues shall cease.” This is a cessationist theology. However, that day has not yet happened because God is still calling people and pouring out His Spirit. If God is doing it, man should not try to stop it.

Verse 2:40 “And with many other words did he testify and exhort,” This is toward the end of Peter’s sermon but we know he said so much more. The NIV says he both “warned” and "pleaded” with the listeners. He is not a disinterested preacher but rather someone speaking with both conviction and love. This is not a formal sermon, but rather Peter is passionately and sincerely “fishing” for men (Matthew 4:19), struggling for souls.

“Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” From the Greek σκολιᾶς (skolias) (Biblehub), meaning “Crooked, perverse, unfair, curved, tortuous. From the base of skelos; warped, i.e. Winding; figuratively, perverse” (Strongs). This point has been made elsewhere, but while God gives man salvation, man still has the responsibility to enter into and stay in that safety.

Verse 2: 41: “...they that gladly received his word were baptized:..” They received the message “gladly.” The heart of the receiver is “glad.” The gospel is meant to be good news. The angel once said to the shepherds, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

“and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” God is at work here. Peter was not a master orator. He was a man who was anointed of God, having spent dozens if not hundreds of hours in prayer (at this point) and God is inspiring Peter in what to say. The presence of God is at work among the people- drawing people to the gospel.

The Apostolic Model: The following verses give a model for a strong, steadfast, and overcoming Apostolic church. EVERY church in existence should compare itself with this one. Yes, this is a Jewish church described here, but the principles largely remain the same for non-Jews.

Verse 2:42: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Steadfast: Another way to say this is that they were persistent in or devoted to something. What were they devoted to? Prayer, doctrine, fellowship and breaking of bread, which also indicates fellowship.

Verse 2:43: “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” There is a simplicity found here in the early Christians…a lack of cynicism. There is such a sense of “fear” or reverence, respect or awe that lives within the community. When there is a deep respect for God, sin will stop. The writer couples this deep regard for the Lord with many miracles being done by the Apostles.

Scripturally this makes sense. Remember when Jesus went to his hometown, the people there treated him with unbelief, and offense. Because of this, the writer Matthew comments “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” The first church did not have the problem that Nazareth had.

Verse 2:44-45: “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

This does not mean that the early church was Communist (having all things in common”) but rather that there was a deep spirit of giving and love within the community that many sold their things so that needs would be met. You will never see a single instance of an Apostle seeking to redistribute wealth by force.

Still…what people do with their wealth shows the condition of the heart. And the first church had a very healthy heart. It was as if the closer these Christians got to God, the less they valued their money, goods and lands—choosing instead to help those within the Christian community who had a need. Revival has different aspects to it...and one is a liberality in giving.

One might ask if there were people who got lazy (because of this) and decided to live “off the dole.” We know that many years later, there was some and Paul addressed it in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and 1 Timothy 5:16.

Verse 2:46: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”

The early community met corporately but also in house to house. There is an intimateness here (and I cannot think of a better word to use) to having church in one’s house. Most Americans seek God corporately in a house of worship and I am not against this. But the house service brings corporate worship right to where you live—literally. And God desires to be the center of people’s lives, not just in one dedicated building.

Verse: 2:47: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

“Praising God”…these were people of worship and praise. They probably did not have choirs as of yet. Little to no music or PA systems but their worship was powerful.

“Favour with all the people.” The early church was well liked. This was before the persecution began by the religious leaders. It would be fair to believe that God was sheltering this beginning church, giving them a time to grow, develop and be discipled.

“And the Lord added to the church daily…” As much as Christians struggle to “work for God” and to put on the right programs, God is still the one who adds. The early church was quickened by prayer and consecrated lives. There was no ‘fly in the ointment.’ Simply, authentically lived lives allowing God to use them.

(Note: Ananias and Sapphira will be addressed in a later post)

There is a powerful testimony at work here in the early

Christians: love. Jesus said “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." The blessings of God are flowing quite heavily into this early church because of their fear of God, their giving, their prayer, worship, love for each other and devotion to the Apostle doctrine. Two of these blessings are the favor of God on them and also a great revival that is continuing daily as new souls are added.