Luke the physician wrote how Peter, “with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles, and in chapter two and verse forty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “all that believed were together, and had all things common” where we read:
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
The verse begins, “And all that believed were together, ...” Luke began with the words, “and all that believed” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone who was persuaded, trusted, had faith and placed their confidence in Jesus” “were together” or “assembled and were with one another”. Luke shared how “all” the people who trusted in, relied upon, clung to and had confidence in Jesus were assembled with one another.
The verse goes on to say, “... and had all things common;” Luke continued with the words, “and had all things” or “and held, owned and possessed the whole and absolutely everything” “common” which means “ordinary, belonging to generality and together”. Luke shared how the believers in Jesus possessed “everything” together.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn not only that the new believers in Jesus “assembled” together, but also that they combined their possessions so that everyone shared them. This was “communal living”, and the people were so in love with Jesus and each other, that they shared their belongings. God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Anyone who yields their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and become part of His family, the church. We shall see how this “communal living” worked out for the church in our future verses, however for now let us understand the importance of loving God and loving His people as we are inspired by the people in this first church.
Next time Luke shares how the believers, “sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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