These small group Bible studies of Acts 2:37-47 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Acts 2:37-47 Bible Study – Fellowship In the Early Church
Outline
I. Three thousand people believe (37-41)
II. The fellowship of believers (42-47)
I. Three thousand people believe (37-41)
Discussion Questions
• What does it mean that they were “cut to the heart?”
• What specifically convicted them from Peter’s message?
• How did they deal with the conviction they felt?
• What did Peter tell them they should do?
• Did Peter’s answer, “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins,” support the idea that baptism is required for salvation?
• What does it mean to repent?
• What is the purpose of baptism?
• Is baptism necessary for salvation? What verses or passages support your answer?
• How could they receive the Holy Spirit?
• Who was salvation available to?
• In what way were they “far off?”
• What can you see about Peter’s heart for the people in verse 40?
• What caused so many people to believe (people who hadn’t believed during Jesus’ life)?
• How can their response encourage you to preach the gospel?
Cross-References
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Luke 13:3 – No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Matthew 3:8 – Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Acts 22:16 – And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
1 Peter 3:21 – Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. When they heard this, they were cut to the heart – The Holy Spirit convicted the listeners. They seem to have especially been convicted because they bore responsibility for Jesus’ death.
Convicting our hearts is one of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:8-11 – And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
We see the Holy Spirit convicting them in this passage.
Reflect – What does it feel like to be convicted by the Holy Spirit? Have you ever felt that before?
You feel guilty. Though our consciences can also make us feel guilty, the convicting power of the Holy Spirit goes deeper and cuts sharper. It is not a good feeling. David felt this when he sinned with Bathsheba. This is what he said.
Psalms 32:3-4 – For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Why was God’s hand heavy on him? Why did God make him feel like that?
It was to lead him to repentance.
Psalms 32:5 – I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
The Holy Spirit convicts us to show us that we have done wrong. Everything is not OK. We have to change direction.
We see the same truth here in Acts. The people asked Peter, “What shall we do?” Peter then told them to repent and they did.
Most people do not enjoy feeling guilty. A common response is to justify oneself or suppress the guilt. Hardening one’s heart against sin and guilt causes people to become desensitized. The heart becomes calloused and hard.
But we should realize God installed our consciences to warn us about the dangers of sin. The conscience is like a pain receptor. It tells us something is wrong. In addition, He sends the Holy Spirit to cut through our natural defenses.
Application – Are you growing more sensitive to the Holy Spirit? When you feel guilty, repent! If there is anything in your life now causing you guilt, bring it before the Lord and deal with it.
2. Repent – Throughout Scripture, we see that those preaching the gospel called their hearers to repent. A form of the word repent is used in the Bible over one hundred times. Jesus repeatedly called the people to “repent for the kingdom of God was at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
It is enough to be aware of one’s sin. It is not even enough to intellectually agree with the facts of the gospel. Repentance shows a deeper response is necessary.
Reflect – What does it mean to repent?
This is what repentance looks like.
Joel 2:12-13 – Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
Repentance means turning from our sins and to the Lord.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for “repent” is “Teshuvah” – תשובה.
It means to “return” or “turn back to God.”
One clear example is Peter himself. While Judas was sorry for what he had done, he didn’t turn to Jesus. Peter turned back.
Examples of non-repentance
• Simon the magician – When confronted with his sin, Simon told Peter, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” (Acts 8:24) Repentance is something personal. It is not something anyone can do for you. He did not cast himself upon the Lord and ask Him for mercy.
• Saul – Saul says the right words. 1 Samuel 15:24 – Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.” But they are empty. He is confessing, saying “sorry,” without any real repentance. He didn’t seek God but wanted to act the same as before. Before the confession, he made excuses and minimized his sin. Repentance is not just saying a quick apology and hoping to move on.
• Cain – Cain was unhappy with the consequences of his sin. Genesis 4:13 – “My punishment is greater than I can bear.”
Repentance is not just sorrow over the consequences of sin.
Examples of true repentance
• David – David sought the Lord and asked for mercy from Him (Psalm 51). He realized his sin was against God (and was therefore relational, not just doing the wrong thing). Repentance is throwing yourself upon God’s mercy.
• Zacchaeus – When confronted with his sin, he made restitution.
• Prodigal son – He acknowledged his sin and returned to the father, leaving behind the ways of the world. He said, “I have sinned against heaven and before you.” He was willing to accept whatever consequences the father decided on.
The ingredients of true repentance include the following.
• Recognition of wrong
• Godly sorrow (Psalm 51:17)
• Genuine confession (Ezra 9)
• Turning from sin to the Lord (Joel 2:12-13). This is an inward act.
o On this, Oswald Chambers said, “The danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead of on the cause. Is it my obedience that puts me right with God? Never! I am put right with God because prior to all else, Christ died.”
• True repentance results in life change (Matthew 3:8).
For a full study on repentance, check out our article on Judas and Peter.
Application – Repentance is not only necessary for salvation. We need to regularly practice repentance as a lifestyle.
3. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins –
Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “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.”
I have often been asked whether this verse means that baptism is necessary for salvation.
One of the first rules of Biblical interpretation is that we should always interpret individual verses within the whole of Scripture. The Bible teaches that faith alone brings justification (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16, Romans 4:4-5). Faith is not just an intellectual assent. Even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). It is trusting in God for salvation. Part of that is repentance, the act of acknowledging our need for forgiveness and turning to God and away from our sin to receive that forgiveness.
Good works and religious rituals do not save (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus also told the thief on the cross that today they would be together in paradise (Luke 23:43). That would be true even though the man never had the chance to be baptized.
So what does this verse mean?
The question centers around the meaning of the word “for.” In English, this has multiple meanings. It can mean “in order to get.” One example would be “Take ten dollars for the pizza.” You need the ten dollars to get the pizza. But it does not always mean that. In another example, “Take a Tylenol for your headache.” That does not mean that you should do this in order to get a headache, but that you should do it “because you have” a headache.
The Greek word “eis” translated “for” can mean “in order to get” or “because of” or “in view of” or “as a result of.”
One example of “eis” meaning the result of an action is seen in Matthew 12:41.
Matthew 12:41 – For they repented at [eis] the preaching of Jonah.
This means that they repented because of Jonah’s preaching, not “in order to get” Jonah’s preaching. In many other Bible verses, this Greek word means “because of” or something similar (Matthew 3:11, Romans 6:3, Matthew 28:19, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 19:3, 1 Corinthians 1:15, 12:13).
In many other cases in Acts, Peter or other apostles preach about receiving forgiveness because of faith and forgiveness without mentioning baptism (Acts 3:17-26, Acts 4:8-12).
Thus, looking at all of Scripture, the most reasonable interpretation of Acts 2:38 is that people should first repent. Then they should be baptized because their sins have been forgiven. Baptism is an outer symbol of what God has already done in their heart.
Much of the above is from this great article at Got Questions, which covers this question in much more detail. https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Acts-2-38.html
Application – If you have placed your faith in Jesus but have never been baptized, you should get baptized. Also, do not place your confidence for salvation in any good work, whether baptism or going to church or prayer.
4. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit – Those who repent and place their faith in Jesus will receive the Holy Spirit.
5. The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off –
The Holy Spirit is promised to every believer. This applies to old and young, male and female, and Jew and Gentile for all time and to the ends of the earth with no exceptions.
God graciously sends the Holy Spirit to indwell the heart of every person He has called to Himself. It is a promise you can rely on.
6. Save yourselves from this crooked generation – Peter encouraged them not to go down with the sinking ship. Peer pressure can cause people to do dangerous things and has cost many a life.
When the Titanic was hit by an Iceberg on April 15, 1912, many lifeboats were launched partially empty. The ship seemed OK. It was still warm and comfortable. Danger seemed far away. Lifeboat 7 was launched with only 19 people out of a capacity of 65. Lifeboat 1 was launched with only 12 people on board out of a capacity of 40. Many others were launched partially empty.
Passengers were complacent. Potentially hundreds more people needlessly lost their lives. They literally followed the crowds and went down with the ship instead of taking the chance for salvation.
Peter warned the Jewish listeners not to do this. Though the hard-hearted and religious leaders would not believe in Jesus, they could. They were responsible for their own choice.
Long before, the Israelites asked for a king because all of the other nations had one (1 Samuel 8:5). Doing something because everyone else is doing that is a bad reason!
Application – Don’t blindly follow the crowd!
Exodus 23:2 – You shall not fall in with the many to do evil.
Reflect – What are some things that “everybody is doing” that we should avoid or be careful of?
II. The fellowship of believers (42-47)
Discussion Questions
• What are the four things these new believers did after their conversion? Share the importance of each of these.
• What can we learn from verse 42 about the purpose of the church?
• How can you devote yourself to good teaching? To fellowship? To prayer?
• What does good fellowship look like?
• What would you say to someone who says, “I can build my relationship with God at home by myself just fine?”
• How can you improve your fellowship with other believers?
• What does the breaking of bread refer to? How might that be different than routine Christian fellowship?
• How did they respond to the signs and wonders being done?
• Can you share a time when you were filled with awe about the Lord?
• Do you think believers are more or less “together” than in the past?
• What are some social reasons that people seem less together and more distant than before?
• How did COVID-19 accelerate this problem?
• Why is it helpful for Christians to be together?
• What are some practical ways you can be together with other believers?
• How were their lives changed because of their faith?
• What principle can we learn from the way they generously shared with each other?
• Should we sell our possessions and share as they did?
• How far are we from that model?
• How would you describe their attitude (46-47)?
Cross-References
1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
Luke 22:19 – And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 10:16 – The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Hebrews 13:16 – Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
1 Timothy 6:18 – They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. The devotion of the early believers –
Acts 2:42 – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
This is a key verse about not only what the early church was doing, but about how they were doing it. They were devoted to these things. You can see the priority of their hearts. It wasn’t just a ritual. They weren’t just ticking the box. The believers took these seriously.
Four aspects of their community and church life are mentioned.
Apostles’ teaching
Listening to the apostles’ teaching provided the key means for their spiritual growth. It was the spiritual food that helped them reach maturity. For them, it wasn’t a passive thing to listen. Neither was it a chore. They were devoted to it. The devotion they had signals not only a desire to learn in their heads but to apply the teaching to their lives. As they did, their lives were transformed.
Believers today should devote themselves to studying and obeying Scripture. We see the same example in the Old Testament.
Ezra 7:10 – For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.
We are not only to study the Word, but also seek to obey it. Studying should be done personally on our own before the Lord. It should also be in public as we get involved in a local church and faithfully listen to the preaching. When an entire church is doing that, growth is quick!
What we see in this passage is a community of believers who grew because they wanted to. They were together. They helped and supported each other.
Fellowship
The early New Testament church was a community of like-minded people moving in the same direction and helping each other along the way. We are fellow pilgrims. If you have ever read the book Pilgrim’s Progress, you will know about the friendship between Christian and Faithful and later Christian and Hopeful. They will able to help each other on their difficult journey to the Celestial City.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
We have fellowship with one another because of the common bond that we share.
Ephesians 4:4-5 – There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
They were together. They shared life with each other. God did not design people to be alone. From the beginning, Adam and Eve needed companionship. We are social creatures.
Through fellowship, we can learn from one another, give and receive counsel, sharpen each other spiritually (Proverbs 27:17), pray for one another, encourage each other, correct each other when necessary, and have companions with similar values whom we can do life together with.
While we are called to fellowship with other believers, the trend these days is going in the other direction. People are more isolated than ever before. One reason for this is electronic devices and the convenience of accessing every type of information and entertainment directly from our homes. Many of these things are a substitute for spending time with real people and talking about real issues. You can often see people who are eating a meal out each one glued to the screen of his own device.
Others claim to be able to follow God just fine on their own. After all, millions of sermons and thousands of preachers can be streamed online. Why go to church?
There are many reasons. Here I will just share one. God commands us to. He designed us. He knows what we need. So He knows what He is talking about.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We are told not to neglect meeting together.
Application – Let us obey by meeting together. When we do, make it as meaningful as possible. Do not simply arrive late, sit in the back, and head home immediately afterward. Talk to someone new. Invite someone out to eat. Make friends. Develop healthy relationships. Making friends generally requires us to be friendly.
That can be difficult. It can mean leaving our comfort zone. Introverts, like me, likely find it easier to keep to ourselves. But by doing so, we will lose opportunities to grow and help others grow.
My son has a rock grinding machine. The rocks that are put in are rough. However, over the course of weeks, as they are ground together, they become smoother. The rocks change shape and become prettier. Rough edges are worn off. That would not be possible if you only put one rock in the machine. When believers share life together it changes all of us.
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Breaking of Bread
Two possible activities could be called “breaking of bread.” One was taking the Lord’s Supper together (Luke 22:19). The other is fellowship together by sharing meals. It is not clear which one is in mind in these verses, though they certainly would have done both.
Throughout these verses, we see that Luke is highlighting the “togetherness” of the believers. They were sharing life together as they built this new community. Therefore the context may point a little more strongly to “eating and fellowshipping” together.
Reflect – Do you invite other believers to share meals together?
Prayers
Another key aspect of the believers’ lives was prayer. They would have prayed with and for each other. While public prayer with other believers can be good, the most important lifestyle for believers is their personal prayer life with God (Matthew 6:6).
2. They shared all things in common – The believers were like a large and very sharing family. Going as far as selling their personal possessions, they then shared the proceeds with the group so that everyone had what they needed.
In the world at large, this model of socialism has been tried and has repeatedly failed. Sin always gets in the way. Humans’ selfish nature means that most would rather let others do the work. Most would practice the sinful philosophy that it is “better to receive than to give,” reversing Jesus’ words.
However, in the early church period, their love for the Lord and each other superseded their selfish desires for personal gain. Their example is admirable.
We should note that there is no record of a command from the apostles for them to do this. Neither are we commanded to do this. It is descriptive rather than prescriptive.
It would therefore be easy for us to cast aside their example and say, “That wouldn’t work today” or “We are not commanded to do that.” While it is true that we are not commanded to do that, we can also learn from their generosity. It is a very good thing to be hospitable, to love, and to share.
If you cut back on your lifestyle and frivolous purchases so that you can give more to people in need, God will not rebuke you for it (if you do it with the right motives).
Should we live in luxury while others struggle to put food on the table? Is that something Jesus would do?
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 – All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Application – Consider the needs of others around you. How can you share what you have with them? Would the people around you describe you as generous? Evaluate your spending and giving habits. Prayerfully consider whether God would have you be more generous.
3. They received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with the people –
They were not rich. But they were happy and content. It is better to receive little with a grateful heart than consume an entire feast with bitterness or jealousy.
Proverbs 15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.
The unity they had with each other in Christ brought them great joy.
Application – Count your blessings. Let us set an example for our families in gratitude. In those times when you don’t have much, receive it with a glad and generous heart. You and your family will be more joyful.
One good example of this is seen in The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Bob Cratchit’s family had very little but was cheerful and content. Their happiness together is contrasted with Scrooge who had everything in the world but happiness.
4. The Lord added to their number every day – God caused the church to grow rapidly. While He was the one who was transforming hearts, one of the ways he did this was through the good testimony of the believers. Their joyous example of generosity and community was attractive.
Reflect – If new people come to your church, will they be attracted by the attitudes and relationships seen there? What are some behaviors or attitudes that may repel people from fellowship in church?
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