Acts 4:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

NIV: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

NASB: And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

CSB: Now the entire group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.

NLT: All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.

KJV: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

NKJV: Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

"Those who believed" include several groups. The apostles, Jesus' family, and other disciples who followed Him during His ministry received the Holy Spirit the morning of Pentecost (Acts 1:13–15; Acts 2:1–4). About three thousand people joined them later that day after Peter's sermon, and more came daily (Acts 2:41, 47). At the time of this update, at least five thousand men, plus women and kids, are part of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:4).

Luke says that thousands of people are of "one heart and soul." They join together in purpose, thought, and action. The Holy Spirit is in them and guiding them as a group. Their commitment to the Holy Spirit's leading is so strong, they even combine their possessions.

Ephesians 4:1–6 describes the unity possible when the Holy Spirit leads a group of believers. The members display humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love. They not only live in harmony, they actively seek it. They make up one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–31) because they are united by one faith in one God and Father.

The reason for their unity is their belief. We don't know everything the apostles taught on a regular basis (Acts 2:42), but Peter's two recorded sermons share the same theme. Jesus of Nazareth is the Jewish Messiah. The Jewish nation killed Him, but God raised Him from the dead. Anyone who repents of their sins will receive forgiveness from God (Acts 2:14–36; 3:11–26).

Acts 4:32–37 is similar to Acts 2:42–47. After Peter's first sermon (Acts 2:14–41), new believers from all over the Roman Empire stayed in Jerusalem to learn from the apostles. Those who had means donated what they had so that no one had need. This system continues, but under slightly different circumstances. The church is now known by the Sanhedrin who very much disapproves of the message that Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 4:1–22). Still, the believers stay together, supporting each other both physically and spiritually.

Acts 4 continues the story started in Acts 3. Peter and John have healed a man born lame and preached that Jesus has risen from the dead. The Sanhedrin orders their arrest for teaching the resurrection. The Jewish officials warn Peter and John to stop speaking in Jesus' name. Peter and John refuse, but, since they have committed no crime, the Sanhedrin releases them. Peter and John return to their friends, and the Jesus-followers pray for boldness in the face of growing persecution. The church continues to grow, sharing all their possessions so that no one is in need.

Acts 4 gives the first hints of the persecution the church will face throughout its history. Peter and John attract attention when Peter heals a well-known lame beggar, and Peter uses the publicity to tell others about Christ. The Sanhedrin cannot allow the apostles to continue teaching Jesus rose from the dead. They arrest, warn, and free Peter and John, but it's just the beginning. Soon, they will arrest and beat all the apostles (Acts 5:17–42). Then a mob will stone Stephen (Acts 7:54–60). And Saul will persecute Jesus-followers in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1–3) and beyond (Acts 9:1–2). The Sanhedrin fails to realize—if you send Jesus-followers fleeing into the world, they will take Jesus' message with them.

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.