Acts 2:37-47
A People Devoted to One Another
Read the passage
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.”
41Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.
44All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The people who hear Peter are cut to the heart. They ask what they should do. Peter calls them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, promising the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance means turning from sin toward God. These hearers are invited to receive forgiveness through the Jesus they rejected. Peter says the promise reaches them, their children, and those far away: all whom God will call to Himself. About three thousand receive the message and are baptized that day.
Their new life takes a shared form. They devote themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They worship together, eat in one another's homes, and share resources with those in need. Selling possessions becomes a way of caring for a brother or sister.
Luke describes gladness, sincerity, and praise alongside this generosity. The same Lord who calls people to Himself keeps adding those who are being saved. Their common life grows from His saving work; it is more than a group of people agreeing to be helpful.
Questions
1 How did the crowd respond to Peter's message?
AnswerThey were cut to the heart by Peter’s message and asked the apostles what response was now required of them.
2 What did Peter tell them to do?
AnswerHe told them to repent and be baptized in Jesus Christ’s name for the forgiveness of sins, receiving the promised Holy Spirit.
3 What practices marked the believers?
AnswerThey devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, making the gospel a shared life rather than a momentary response.
4 How did they respond to one another's needs?
AnswerThey shared their possessions and distributed them to anyone who had need, treating material resources as a means of care within the new community.
What This Means for Us
Forgiveness brings people into a life shared with others. The believers listen, pray, eat, and notice needs together. Faith is personal, but it does not have to be lonely.
Consider one way your family can take part more fully in the life of your church. Share a meal with someone you barely know, join others in prayer, or contribute toward a need you have learned about. Ask what is useful before deciding how to help.
We receive the gospel before we respond with generosity. The point is not to purchase a place among God's people, but to care for those who share the grace we have received.
Prayer
Father, make us a people devoted to your word, fellowship, meals, prayer, and generosity. Teach us to notice needs and respond with glad hearts. Amen.