Life Together in the Spirit | Acts 2:42–47 | Dwell in the Word

Watch This Episode from Acts 2:42-47

In this final episode on Acts chapter 2, Pastor Mark Groen walks through the closing verses of Peter’s Pentecost sermon and the Spirit-formed life of the early church. Acts 2:42–47 paints a picture of a community shaped by the Word, devoted to worship, fellowship, and generosity. This passage calls us to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit through ordinary means—preaching, prayer, breaking bread, and life together. As Pastor Mark emphasizes, gospel growth doesn't depend on clever methods, but on God's faithful work through His Word.

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Welcome to Dwell in the Word. Here we are on Friday, November 5. We’re opening with another prayer from Leading in Prayer by Hughes Oliphant Old, a prayer for illumination. Let us pray: Blessed you are, Lord, great God, eternal majesty on high, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh God, our pure delight, our greatest joy and holy happiness, pour out now your Holy Spirit, the inner witness, the spirit of truth, that the covenants of the patriarchs, the visions of the prophets, and the testimonies of the apostles might be for us the way of life. Pour out now your Holy Spirit, that we might live in you and you in us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We’re finishing Acts chapter 2 today, reading from verses 42 through 47. Hear the word of the Lord: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common, and they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

We conclude Acts 2 by examining the result of Peter’s teaching at Pentecost. For those who remained in Jerusalem, they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, listening to the message about Jesus’ death for their sins and His fulfillment of prophetic promises. They were also committed to fellowship, caring for each other, and to breaking bread and praying together. This early Christian community lived together, sharing meals, worship, and prayer, fostering unity and mutual support.

Awe came upon every soul as many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. These signs weren’t mere spectacles but demonstrated the apostles’ authority to teach and establish the church, reflecting a new era in God’s interaction with His people. As Peter’s sermon emphasized, salvation is now for all who call on the Lord, not just the Hebrew people, through Jesus’ work. The apostles’ signs confirmed their God-given authority to define doctrine and church practices, showing that God was working through them.

Verse 45 notes they sold possessions and distributed proceeds to those in need. Some interpret this as a model for communal living, but this is the only instance in the New Testament where this occurs, with no command to replicate it. Unlike a mandated commune, this was a specific response to the early church’s context—perhaps uncertainty or impending persecution. While not a universal directive, it highlights their willingness to support one another, a principle we can apply by helping brothers and sisters in Christ as needed.

Day by day, they attended the temple, broke bread in homes, and received food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and finding favor with others. Crucially, verse 47 states, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” The Lord, not human effort, drove this growth. The apostles proclaimed the gospel, backed by signs of authority, and God used this to bring people to faith, expanding the church.

For us, as we head into the weekend, the application is to trust the word. We don’t need fancy evangelistic methods or strategies. When sharing the gospel with our children or others, we should proclaim it faithfully, not sloppily, but without relying on elaborate techniques. Trust that the Holy Spirit will use the pure gospel of Christ crucified to bring people to faith. Look for opportunities to remind one another of the gospel to build faith and to share it with those who haven’t heard, trusting the Spirit to work as God wills.

Let us pray: Merciful Lord, we praise you for the saving work you have bestowed upon your people. We know this is not because of anything we have done, but because you have blessed us with the gift of your grace. Bless us with grateful hearts who live generously in praise of you because you have added us to the number of those who have been saved. Through your word and Spirit today, guide us to be aware of where we have rebelled and sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. May this conviction drive us to repent and turn from our sin, and may we rejoice in the mercy you have shown us in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Help us trust that you are at work to shape us in holiness, that we might be your faithful witnesses to a world in need of your great salvation. On this Friday, may we devote ourselves to your word and to living a life of prayer. Grant us the courage to proclaim your word today, that others may hear and believe the good news of Christ and Him crucified. We pray all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Have yourself a most excellent Friday, and I hope you have a great, relaxing weekend to be refreshed for the Lord’s day. See you then.

Want to explore more about how God’s Spirit builds His Church?

Visit our Pentecost page to dive deeper into sermons and devotions on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For the context leading up to this moment, see how Christ's ascension prepares the way on our Ascension of Christ page. And if you're enjoying these short reflections, browse more episodes on the Dwell in the Word page and continue walking through Scripture with us.