Luke the physician wrote how Peter and John were arrested for speaking to the people in the temple about the resurrection of the dead. They answered the “religious leaders” and were released after being threatened not to speak or teach in Jesus' name. Afterward, they began to pray by referring to words spoken by King David of Israel and saying, “Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word, by stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness”, and in chapter four and verse thirty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:” Luke began with the words, “and the multitude” which means “and the great number and throng of the people” “that believed” which means “who were persuaded, had confidence, trusted in, relied upon and clung to Jesus” “were of one heart” or “existed as one mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors” “and of one soul” which means “and belonging to one seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. Luke shared how all the “believers” in Jesus within this large group of people had “one heart and mind” as they dwelt among one another.
The verse continues, “neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” Luke added the words, “neither said any of them” which means “no and not in any way did the multitude of believers utter, declare or proclaim” “that ought of the things which he possessed” or “what each person owned and held such as goods, property or substance”, “was his own” which means “belonged only to that person”; “but they had all things” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the multitude of believers in Jesus, possessed, owned and held each, every, the whole and everything” “common” which means “belonging to everyone in generality”. Luke shared how none of the multitude of people who were believers in Jesus “claimed” anything as their “own” property or goods, but lived so that everything belonged to everyone else.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how this massive group of believers were “unified” after the Holy Spirit of God fell upon them, and their “hearts” and “souls” were as one. They began to share all their possessions with one another as a result, and lived in a “communal” way. This is a manifestation of “God's Spirit” working in people who believe in God's Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. We shall later learn how this worked out for this group of people, but for now let us marvel at and aspire to have “one heart and one soul” with other believers in Jesus, and should their be a person reading these words who has not believed nor received Jesus, let today be the day they ask God to forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him and His great multitude of fellow believers.
Next time Luke shares how,“with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus”, 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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