ACTS 2:41-47
how can we expect God to have compassion and take care of us when we face the desperate need for heaven? It is foolish to
think that a loving and just God will meet our need for eternal life when we would not meet the need of our fellow man for
physical life. The rich (all of us who have anything in comparison with the rest of the world) have the means to help and to
save human life, if we only would.
3. Possessions attach a person to the world (cp. Mt.19:22). Possessions enable a person to buy things that...
• make him comfortable • challenge his mental pursuit
• please his taste • stimulate his flesh
• stir his ego • stretch his self-image
• expand his experience
If a man centers his life upon the things of the world, his attention is on the world and not on God. He tends to become
wrapped up in securing more and in protecting what he has. Too often, he gives little if any time and thought to heavenly
matters. Wealth and the things it can provide within this world can and usually do consume the rich.

“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth” (Lk.12:33).
“I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Ro.12:13).
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of
the household of faith” (Gal.6:10).
“That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communi-
cate” (1 Tim.6:18).
“But to do good and to communicate [give] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased” (Heb.13:16).

5
(2:46) Unity: a people who continued with one accord. (See DEEPER STUDY # 7, One Accord—Acts 1:14.)

DEEPER STUDY # 7
(Acts 1:14) One Accord (homothumadon): the same mind or spirit; oneness of mind and heart. It means to be one in spirit
and purpose. Homos means same and thumos means spirit or mind. The believers, all 120 of them in the upper room, were of
the same spirit, of the same mind. The idea is they were after the same thing, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They were fo-
cusing and concentrating their thoughts and energies upon seeking God for the promise of His Spirit.
The word is used only eleven times in Scripture, ten of those times are found in Acts, one is found in Romans.
⇒ One accord in prayer (Acts 1:14; 4:24).
⇒ One accord in one place (Acts 2:1).
⇒ One accord in daily worship and the Lord’s supper (Acts 2:46; 5:12).
⇒ One accord in obedience (Acts 8:6).
⇒ One accord in a business meeting (Acts 15:25).
⇒ One accord is needed to glorify God (Ro.15:6).
The phrase “one accord” is also used to refer to the unity of unbelievers and enemies of the gospel (Acts 7:57; 12:20;
18:12; 19:29).


6

(2:46-47) Church—Worship: a people who worshipped and praised God every day. Note five things.
1. The believers were worshipping in the temple, praying and attending the regular hours of worship and prayers (cp.
Acts 3:1).
2. The believers were worshipping in their homes, moving from home to home. They were sharing together in fellow-
ship meals and in observing the Lord’s Supper, remembering their Lord’s death.
3. The believers were worshipping with gladness and singleness of heart. The word “singleness” (apheloteti) means
sincere, without hardness. Their hearts were soft and tender, easily touched and giving. There was no selfishness or with-
holding on their part. Where there was need, they gave.
Note their attitude was gladness, joy, and rejoicing. They were more than glad to worship and minister as the Lord had in-
structed.

Thought 1. Just imagine the radical, transformed behavior of these early believers. What could have caused such
radical behavior? The proclamation of the pure, unadulterated Word of Christ. The giving of all we are and have is
absolutely demanded.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk.9:23).
“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all,
that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23).

4. The believers were praising God.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven” (Mt.5:16).
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (Ro.15:6).
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