ACC ~ Acts 2 v43 - 47

OVERVIEW:

This is the first of what is called the summary statements in Acts. Two others are similar to this one in that they describe the life of the early community, once again showing the work of God in the church (Acts 4:32-37; 5:12-16). The economic dimension of the community is something as important to Luke as is Jesus’ teaching on poverty. The mention of having all things in common is probably an allusion to Aristotle’s treatise on friendship as it was quoted and implemented in the Pythagorean communities, while the mention in the next statement that there was no one in “need” among them is an allusion to Deuteronomy 15:4, 11 (LXX), implying that now both the biblical and pagan ideals have found their fulfillment in the early community. Of the four characteristics of the early community, the ancients tend to accent detachment from wealth, while the moderns try to determine whether the breaking of the bread is a eucharistic celebration. Most are unclear, while acknowledging a quasi-technical status to the expression in later times. Father Melchior Verheijen has devoted an article to the study of Augustine’s use of Acts 4:32-35. There are least fifty occurrences in the writings of Augustine where this text is theologically operative. It will suffice to quote but a few here.

2:44 | All Things in Common

DOUBLE ARDOR OF LOVE. BEDE: If the love of God pervades our hearts, without a doubt it will soon engender affection for our neighbor as well. Hence, because of the double ardor of one and the same love, we read that the Holy Spirit was given twice to the apostles, and the possession of everything without [anyone] having anything of his own is a great token of brotherly love. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 2.44.

2:46 | Breaking Bread

GLADNESS AND SIMPLICITY OF HEART. CHRYSOSTOM: Do you see that the words of Peter contain this also, namely, the regulation of life? [“And singleness of heart.”] For no gladness can exist where there is no simplicity. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 7.

REJOICE. AUGUSTINE: One who wishes to make a place for the Lord should rejoice not in private joy but in the joy of all (gaudio communi). EXPLANATIONS OF THE PSALMS 131.5.

UNITY OF THE TRINITY. AUGUSTINE: If, as they drew near to God, those many souls became, in the power of love, but one soul and these many hearts but one heart, what must the very source of love effect between the Father and the Son? Is not the Trinity for even greater reasons, but one God? … If the love of God poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who is given to us, is able to make of many souls but one soul and of many hearts but one heart, how much more are the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit but one God, one Light, one Principle? TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 39.5.

ALL IN COMMON. AUGUSTINE: First of all, because you are gathered together in one that you might live harmoniously (unanimes) and that there be one soul and one heart toward God. And you should not call anything your own, but let all things be common to you and distributed to each one of you according to need. LETTER 211.5.