Acts 2:44 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

NIV: All the believers were together and had everything in common.

NASB: And all the believers were together and had all things in common;

CSB: Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.

NLT: And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

KJV: And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

NKJV: Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

This passage describes the early church in Jerusalem, especially before persecution by the Jewish leaders (Acts 8:1). The church started one morning with 120 members (Acts 1:15; 2:1–4). By that evening, they had about three thousand (Acts 2:41). And more and more were being saved every day (Acts 2:47). Many of these people had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost—they don't live here, they have no home or business opportunities (Acts 2:9–11). But this is a crucial time in the church. God gave Moses the Law before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. In a similar way, the new Jesus-followers need to understand the basics before they return home or are driven out by persecution (Acts 8:1). So they stay and learn, and the Jesus-followers native to Jerusalem and Judea accommodate them with what they have (Acts 2:45).

The New Testament says quite a bit about giving to Jesus-followers in need. Jesus says that wealth accumulated in this world means nothing compared to treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–21). John points out that withholding support from a brother in need is the opposite of love (1 John 3:17). James warns against giving lip-service to others' needs without practically acting to meet the needs (James 2:15–16). And Paul points out that any giving we do is voluntary and should be done cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). That's easier to do when we remember those in need are our friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Acts 2:42–47 describes the routine of the early church. One morning, about nine days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit indwelt 120 of His followers (Acts 2:1–4). By that evening, three thousand devout Jews and proselytes had joined them (Acts 2:41). Most of the newcomers had come to Jerusalem for Pentecost from other countries. Many decide to stay in Jerusalem, to learn more about Jesus and be part of the phenomenon we now call ''the church.''

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the church in three episodes. First, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Jesus-followers in Jerusalem, equipping them with the ability to teach the gospel in different languages (Acts 2:1–13). Second, Peter gives a public declaration using Old Testament prophecy to show Jesus is the long-awaited Jewish Messiah (Acts 2:14–36). Third, people believe. They repent, trust Jesus will forgive their sins, and agree to be baptized as a public sign that they are now Jesus-followers (Acts 2:37–47). That quickly, the church is born.

Acts 2 describes the creation of Jesus' church. Forty days after Jesus' resurrection He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). One hundred and twenty disciples obeyed His command to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4, 2–15). In Acts 2, they receive the Holy Spirit and share the gospel with a crowd of people who have come to celebrate Pentecost. Three thousand believe, and the church comes to life. In the following chapters, Jesus-followers fulfill Jesus' promise that they will be His witnesses ''in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'' (Acts 1:8).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.