Acts 2:43Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To devote themselves wholly to this work, they laid aside all cares for the support of the society of believers, who received sustenance from the generosity of the other brethren.

They occupied themselves only with teaching.

Their miracles also drew everyone's attention. They healed illnesses of every kind, so that the sick were brought to them from the surrounding towns.

In both teaching and wonderworking Peter was first. The power of God was poured forth through him in such abundance that even his shadow gave relief to the sick.

For their part, the Apostles wished to make full use of the fruits of the Old Testament preparation.

Therefore at first they did not separate themselves from their kinsmen. As we see, they went with everyone into the Jewish temple for prayer.

In their own worship and way of life they retained rules and ordinances compatible with the spirit of Christianity.

According to the testimony of Hegesippus, the Jews' respect for the Apostle James went so far that the people gladly listened to his instructions and rejoiced in his miracles.

The Apostles preached to them the very same Jesus of Nazareth to Whom John the Baptist had pointed.

He Himself had borne witness to Himself by word, deed, and life as the Messiah.

Yet despite all this, the Jews had not wished to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. They rejected Him and even crucified Him.

They considered His work destroyed, and were already prepared to forget their evil deed.

Suddenly, however, the mighty word of His disciples resounded. Boldly before all, they preached Him as risen and ascended into heaven.

They confirmed the truth of their preaching by unceasing miracles.

Whole crowds of people turned to Christ through their word, and Christ's society quickly grew. This was a new testimony to the power of the Crucified One.

What, then, should those guilty of killing Christ expect for themselves, if they nevertheless continued to remain in unbelief?

Should they not have foreseen the approach of a new judgment of God upon Israel and Jerusalem for unbelief and disobedience?

It had divided them into isolated individuals who cared only for themselves and were heartless toward the needs of others.

The spirit of evangelical love conquered this self-interest in the believers.

They "sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."

This was the first experience of that common life which later found a place in Christian cenobitic monasticism.

Thus the first Christians lived, "praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved."

It often stirs even the most stubborn souls, hardened in unbelief, toward faith.

The threat of the coming wrath of God upon unbelievers, expressed in the speech of the Apostle Peter; verses 19 and 20, was undoubtedly spread through Jerusalem by those who heard it.

This intensified the feeling of fear before the finger of God visible in these actions.

This same feeling of fear was strengthened in the unbelievers by another fact.

The Apostles, having received the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, performed by His power many wonders and signs.

These were extraordinary actions impossible for man's natural powers alone, surpassing the ordinary laws of nature.

In the believers, however, these wonders and signs of the Apostles undoubtedly raised and strengthened their faith still more, as well as their joyful and solemn disposition of spirit.

The historian does not recount any one of these miracles. He only makes a general remark.

The Evangelist John makes a similar remark when describing the first stay of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem after His baptism, at the feast of Pascha, perhaps for the same reason; Jn 2:23-25.

Fear could also have fallen upon the unbelievers because many of them did not know the essence of the peaceful preaching of the Gospel.

They thought the Christians would resort to other measures of conversion as well.

The threatening sword of the Romans could frighten some at the thought of an uprising, as happened in the time of Jesus Christ; see Jn 11:48.

Bishop Innocent, Archbishop of Kherson, asked why many miracles were performed then, while now there are comparatively few.

He answered that then there was the greatest need for them, since signs and wonders are needed not for believers, but for unbelievers.

Yet it must be said that at times Jesus Christ did not work miracles because of the unbelief of those who desired them; see Mt 17:20.

Therefore one may say that miracles are performed now for believers according to their need, and will always be performed.

According to John Chrysostom, "When faith had grown only a little and was newly planted in hearts, it was carefully strengthened and guarded from every side.

But when it had put forth roots, received strength, and stretched its branches very high, Christ removed the supports and defenses.

Thus in the beginning gifts were given even to the unworthy, for faith needed help."