Bible Commentary

Acts 2:42-47

Matthew Henry on Acts 2:42-47

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

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. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in piety and devotion; for Christianity, when 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, and has promised to meet us.

The greatness of the event raised them above the world, and the Holy Ghost filled them with such love, as made every one to be to another as to himself, and so made all things common, not by destroying property, but doing away selfishness, and causing charity.

And God who moved them to it, knew that they were quickly to be driven from their possessions in Judea. The Lord, from day to day, inclined the hearts of more to embrace the gospel; not merely professors, but such as were actually brought into a state of acceptance with God, being made partakers of regenerating grace.

Those whom God has designed for eternal salvation, shall be effectually brought to Christ, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of his glory.

Recommended reading

More for Acts 2:42-47

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:1-47Acts 2:1-47 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:37-47Acts 2:37-47 · The Pulpit CommentaryEffects 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:37-47Acts 2:37-47 · The Pulpit CommentaryHoly 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.…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:37-42Acts 2:37-42 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe day of spiritual wonders. I. WROUGHT IN THE HEART. Repentance. Anxious inquiry. Submission to Divine teaching. Separation from the old life. Depth of the work revealed in progressive steadfastness. II. The fruit of…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:41-44Acts 2:41-44 · The Pulpit CommentaryEarly 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, a…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:41-47Acts 2:41-47 · The Pulpit CommentarySpiritual 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 resul…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:1-47EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:37-42The day of spiritual wonders. I. WROUGHT IN THE HEART. Repentance. Anxious inquiry. Submission to Divine teaching. Separation from the old life. Depth of the work revealed in progressive steadfastness. II. The fruit of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:37-47Effects 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:37-47Holy 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.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:41-47Effects 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 DISCIPLES…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:41-44Early 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, a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 2:41-47Spiritual 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 resul…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Fellowship of the DisciplesTHE FELLOWSHIP OF THE DISCIPLES. 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…Matthew Henry