Commentary - Acts 2:37-47

Bird's-eye view

Following the stupendous events of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Spirit, and Peter's first great gospel sermon, we come to the results. And the results were glorious. This passage in Acts shows us the birth of the Christian church, not as an institution, but as a living, breathing organism. The Spirit falls, the Word is preached, and a community is born out of the ashes of repentance and the waters of baptism. What Luke describes here is not some utopian fantasy, but the normative Christian life that flows directly from a right reception of the gospel. It is a life marked by conviction, conversion, and communion. It begins with hearts pierced by the truth, moves to the fundamental questions of what must be done, and blossoms into a community characterized by devotion to apostolic truth, genuine fellowship, the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and constant prayer. This is the snapshot of the church in her first love, and it is a portrait that ought to both encourage and challenge us.

The key movement here is from the internal work of the Spirit to the external shape of the church. God works in the heart, and the result is a visible community with distinct practices and a distinct ethos. They learn together, share life together, eat together, and pray together. And the result of this potent Christian culture is that it is both feared and favored by the surrounding populace, and most importantly, the Lord Himself adds to their number daily. This is the pattern: God saves individuals, and then He plants them in a saved community that lives out the reality of that salvation in a tangible, compelling way.

Outline

Context In Acts

This section is the direct and immediate fruit of the events described in the first part of Acts 2. The Holy Spirit has been poured out in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, evidenced by the miracle of tongues. Peter, filled with that same Spirit, has just preached a sermon that was a masterpiece of biblical exposition and direct confrontation. He charged his hearers with the murder of their own Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, and then proved from the Scriptures that this same Jesus was raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God as both Lord and Christ. The passage before us, then, is not a standalone description of ideal church life. It is the consequence of a sovereign move of God and a faithful proclamation of the gospel. The power that creates the church is the same power that raised Christ from the dead, and the instrument that creates the church is the preaching of Christ crucified and risen. This new community is the first great harvest of the New Covenant, the firstfruits of the Spirit's work in the world.

Verse by Verse Commentary

37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men, brothers, what should we do?”

The gospel, when preached in the power of the Spirit, is never neutral. It does not come to offer helpful suggestions for a better life. It comes with a sword. Here, the word is that they were "pierced to the heart." This is not mere emotionalism. This is the deep, cutting conviction of sin that only the Holy Spirit can produce. Peter had just laid the guilt for the crucifixion of the Son of God squarely at their feet. They had participated, either actively or by consent, in the greatest crime in human history. The Spirit took that truth and drove it home, creating not just remorse, but a profound sense of spiritual crisis. Their question, "what should we do?" is the cry of every sinner who has been truly awakened. It is not a question about ethics or self-improvement. It is the desperate plea of a man overboard who realizes he is drowning and cannot save himself. This is the necessary starting point for salvation.

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Peter's answer is direct, authoritative, and contains the fundamental elements of gospel response. First, repent. This means to have a change of mind that results in a change of direction. Turn away from your sin, your self-reliance, and your rebellion against God's anointed King. Second, be baptized. This is not a mere suggestion or an optional extra for the keeners. It is a command. Baptism is the visible sign and seal of this repentance and faith. It is the moment of public identification with Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection. It is to be done "in the name of Jesus Christ," which means upon His authority and into allegiance with Him. The purpose clause is crucial: "for the forgiveness of your sins." The baptism is the visible appropriation of the forgiveness that Christ purchased. And with this comes the promise: "you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." The same Spirit who convicted them of sin now comes to dwell within them as the seal of their adoption and the power for their new life.

39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Here Peter defines the scope of this great promise. It is not a narrow, exclusive offer. First, it is "for you", for that generation of Jews standing right there. But it does not stop with them. It is also "for your children." This is a foundational text for understanding the covenantal nature of God's dealings with His people. The gospel promise incorporates households. God has always worked through families, and the New Covenant is not a radical departure from this principle but its glorious fulfillment. The sign of the covenant, baptism, is therefore for believers and their children. But the promise extends even further, "for all who are far off", a clear reference to the Gentiles who would be brought into the church. The ultimate determining factor, however, is God's sovereign call: "as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." God's promise is wide, but it is effectual only for the elect, for those whom He sovereignly draws.

40 And with many other words he solemnly bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation!”

Luke gives us just the summary of Peter's sermon and exhortation. There was much more to it. But the central thrust is captured in this urgent plea: "Be saved from this crooked generation!" Conversion is a rescue operation. It is being saved from something. It is a deliverance from the prevailing spirit of the age, from a world system that is in rebellion against its Creator. To become a Christian is to transfer your citizenship, to come out from among them and be separate. It is a call to be counter-cultural, not for the sake of being odd, but for the sake of being holy.

41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

The response was massive. Three thousand souls. This was not the result of a clever marketing campaign or a watered-down message. It was the result of the Holy Spirit attending the plain preaching of the Word. Those who "received his word", that is, those who believed the message about Jesus, were immediately baptized. There was no probation period, no lengthy catechism class before they could be admitted. Faith was met with the sign of faith. And notice the language: they were "added." The Lord is the one who builds His church. He adds to it. Our job is to preach the Word and administer the signs; the results are in His hands.

42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

This verse is a beautiful summary of the life of the newborn church. These new believers were not left to fend for themselves. They were immediately incorporated into a disciplined life of community. There are four key activities to which they were "continually devoting themselves." This was not a casual affair. First, the apostles' teaching. The church is built on truth, on sound doctrine. Second, the fellowship, the koinonia. This is more than just coffee after the service; it is a deep sharing of life, a partnership in the gospel. Third, the breaking of bread. This most likely refers to the Lord's Supper, celebrated frequently and as a central act of their shared life, likely in the context of a common meal. Fourth, the prayers. The early church was a praying church, dependent upon God for everything. These four pillars, Word, fellowship, sacrament, and prayer, are the essential marks of a healthy church in any generation.

43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

The presence of God in this new community had an effect on everyone, both inside and outside the church. A sense of "fear" or awe fell upon the city. This was not a cowering dread, but a profound reverence in the face of the manifest power of God. The wonders and signs performed by the apostles served as authentication of their message. They were the credentials of the King's ambassadors, demonstrating that the kingdom of God had truly broken into human history in a new and powerful way.

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were dividing them up with all, as anyone might have need.

The fellowship (koinonia) mentioned in verse 42 is now described in practical terms. Their unity in Christ overflowed into a radical generosity. This is not, we must note, a description of proto-communism, where private property was abolished by decree. This was a voluntary, Spirit-led response to the needs within the community. They sold their goods "as anyone might have need." It was driven by love, not by law. Their hearts were so captured by the love of Christ and their love for one another that their material possessions were held loosely. They understood that they were a family, and in a family, you take care of your own.

46 And daily devoting themselves with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved.

This final section paints a picture of a vibrant, joyful, and growing church. They continued to meet "daily," both in a large public gathering ("in the temple") and in smaller, more intimate settings ("from house to house"). Their life together was characterized by "gladness and sincerity of heart." The gospel produces joy, a deep-seated gladness that is not dependent on circumstances. Their lives were oriented vertically, "praising God," and this had a horizontal effect, "having favor with all the people." Their authentic community was attractive. And the ultimate result? "The Lord was adding to their number daily those who were being saved." Evangelism wasn't a program; it was the natural overflow of a healthy church life. God blessed their faithfulness by bringing more and more people into their saved and saving community.

Application

The portrait of the early church in Acts 2 is not just a historical curiosity; it is a standing charge to the church in every age. We are called to the same fundamental commitments. First, we must be a church centered on the apostolic teaching. Our worship, our fellowship, and our mission must be grounded in and governed by the Word of God. Second, we must recover the meaning of true koinonia. Our fellowship must be more than a shallow friendliness; it must be a deep, sacrificial sharing of our lives and resources with one another. Third, our life together must be centered on the gospel, visibly enacted in the breaking of bread and in prayer. We must be a people who feast on Christ and who are utterly dependent on God. And finally, we must live in such a way that our joy is palpable and our love is visible. When the church is truly the church, it is the most attractive community on earth, and the Lord Himself will be pleased to add to our numbers daily.