What does Acts 2:47 mean?
This is the first wave of believers in the new church. In addition to the three thousand who accepted Jesus on the first day the Holy Spirit came (Acts 2:41), more come daily. The verse says that "the Lord added" new believers. This is consistent with other passages. Jesus called the apostles to be His witnesses, but He didn't tell them to convert people (Acts 1:8). Later, Paul will tell the Corinthians, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). Even in the Great Commission, Jesus doesn't tell the disciples to make converts but to make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20).The church is in a kind of incubation period. Peter and John haven't been arrested (Acts 4:1–3), Stephen hasn't been murdered (Acts 7:54–60), and the young Pharisee-trained hitman Saul hasn't driven the Jesus-followers out of Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3). Jesus warned that persecution would come (John 15:18–21). The early church wisely uses this time of peace and favor to build the foundation of the church. They learn from the apostles, grow in unity, and pray (Acts 2:42). They sacrifice for each other and accept what they receive gladly (Acts 2:45–46). They have repented from their sins and received the Holy Spirit—they have a lot to praise God for.
This section is immediately followed by a story in which all people are proven not to show the new church favor. Specifically, the Sanhedrin objects to the preaching that resurrection from the dead is possible (Acts 3:1–4:22). Acts 4:32–37 is a similar section to Acts 2:42–47. It speaks of the unity and growth of the church and ends with an example of extreme generosity, but it's immediately followed by an example that belies that trend as Ananias and Sapphira stoop to equally extreme selfish deceit (Acts 5:1–11).
Faith can't grow without opposition. In this moment, God balances favor and persecution in a way that builds a church which has lasted, so far, for nearly 2000 years. The modern church is indebted to those who built that foundation.
