All the believers
This phrase refers to the early Christian community, consisting of those who had accepted the message of Jesus Christ and were baptized. This group was primarily composed of Jewish converts at this time, as the events of Acts 2 occur shortly after Pentecost, a Jewish festival. The term "believers" underscores their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a central tenet of early Christian identity. This community was characterized by a shared faith and commitment to the teachings of the apostles.

were together
The physical and spiritual unity of the believers is emphasized here. This togetherness was not just a matter of proximity but also of purpose and mission. The early church gathered regularly for prayer, teaching, and fellowship, as seen in Acts 2:42. This unity fulfilled Jesus' prayer for His followers to be one (John 17:21). The communal life of the early Christians was a powerful witness to the surrounding culture, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel.

and had everything in common.
This phrase indicates a radical form of communal living where personal possessions were shared among the community. This practice was voluntary and motivated by love and concern for one another, reflecting the teachings of Jesus about caring for the needy (Matthew 25:35-40). It also echoes the Old Testament ideal of community life, as seen in the laws of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). This sharing was not a form of socialism but rather a spontaneous expression of the believers' unity and love, facilitated by the Holy Spirit. The practice of having "everything in common" was a practical response to the needs within the community, ensuring that no one lacked basic necessities.

1. Believers
The early Christians who had accepted Jesus as the Messiah and were part of the nascent church in Jerusalem.

2. Jerusalem
The city where the early church was forming, following the events of Pentecost.

3. Pentecost
The event where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel, leading to the conversion of many.

4. Apostles
The primary leaders of the early church, who were teaching and guiding the new believers.

5. Community Life
The shared life and fellowship among the believers, characterized by unity and mutual support.Unity in the Body of Christ
The early church exemplified a profound unity that transcended individual differences. Believers today are called to foster unity within their communities, reflecting the oneness of the body of Christ.

Generosity and Sharing
The believers' willingness to share everything in common challenges us to consider how we can be more generous with our resources, supporting those in need within our communities.

Community and Fellowship
The early church's commitment to being together highlights the importance of fellowship. Christians are encouraged to prioritize gathering with other believers for worship, encouragement, and accountability.

Dependence on the Holy Spirit
The unity and generosity of the early church were possible through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Believers today should seek the Spirit's guidance in fostering community and living out their faith.

Counter-Cultural Living
The communal lifestyle of the early church was counter-cultural, challenging societal norms. Christians are called to live distinctively, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in their relationships and communities.(44) All that believed were together. . . .--The writer dwells with a manifest delight on this picture of what seemed to him the true ideal of a human society. Here there was a literal fulfilment of his Lord's words (Luke 12:33), a society founded, not on the law of self-interest and competition, but on sympathy and self-denial. They had all things in common, not by a compulsory abolition of the rights of property (see Acts 5:4), but by the spontaneous energy of love. The gift of the Spirit showed its power, not only in tongues and prophecy, but in the more excellent way of charity. It was well that that inimitable glow of love should manifest itself for a time to be a beacon-light to after ages, even if experience taught the Church in course of time that this generous and general distribution was not the wisest method of accomplishing permanent good, and that here also a discriminate economy, such as St. Paul taught (2Thessalonians 3:10; 1Timothy 3:8), was necessary as a safe-guard against abuse. It was, we may perhaps believe, partly in consequence of the rapid exhaustion of its resources thus brought about, that the Church at Jerusalem became dependent for many years upon the bounty of the churches of the Gentiles. (See Note on Acts 11:29.)

Verse 44. - Were together (ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό; see Acts 1:15, note, and above, ver. 42). Had all things common. Just as the Transfiguration gave a passing glimpse of the state of glory, so here we have a specimen of what Christian love and unity in its perfection, and unchecked by contact with the world without, would, and perhaps some day will, produce. But even at Jerusalem this bright vision of a paradise on earth was soon troubled by the earthly dissensions recorded in Acts 6; and the Christian community received a timely lesson that things good in themselves are not always practicable in an evil world, where sluggish virtues require the stimulants of bodily wants to draw them out and strengthen them, and where hypocrisy often claims the kindly offices which are due only to disciples indeed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


All
Πάντες (Pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

believers
πιστεύοντες (pisteuontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

were
ἦσαν (ēsan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

together
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

had
εἶχον (eichon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

everything
ἅπαντα (hapanta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 537: All, the whole, altogether. Absolutely all or every one.

in common.
κοινά (koina)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2839: Probably from sun; common, i.e. shared by all or several, or profane.


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NT Apostles: Acts 2:44 All who believed were together and had (Acts of the Apostles Ac)