Acts 4:32–37: One Heart, One Mind, One Body
Introduction
That the church is the body of Christ, made up of many members, is a major theme within several of Paul’s letters (Rom. 12:4–5; 1 Cor. 6:15; 12:12–27; Eph. 1:22–23; 2:16; 3:6; 4:4, 12, 16; 5:22–33; Col. 1:18, 24; 2:19; 3:15). In Acts 4:32–37, Luke does not explicitly invoke “body” imagery; however, he tells us that the “full number” of believers “were of one heart and soul,” thus depicting the church as many members united as one body together. This theme would fit a number of places in the Book of Acts, but following on the heels of the “boldness” (Acts 4:31) of the church, we see a picture of the church that is bold inwardly, just as much as they are outwardly. Here, we see that the Holy Spirit unites the church in one heart, one mind, and one body.
Discussion Questions
1. What might we have expected to see following the description of the Holy-Spirit-filled “boldness” of the early church (Acts 4:31)? What kind of bold living do we see in v. 32? What do the biblical writers mean by “heart”? What do biblical writers mean by “soul”? What were the attitudes of the believers about their own personal possessions and property? How was their generosity an example of bold living after the example of Christ?
2. What do we see the apostles doing in v. 33? Where does the teaching and preaching of Jesus Christ as crucified, resurrected, and ascended as “Lord” fit in with the benevolent mercy ministries of the church? How are the apostles involved in the distribution of benevolent funds (vv. 35, 37)? How does the preaching ministry of the apostles relate to their benevolent ministries? Why must the apostles ultimately adapt their administration of benevolent funds (Acts 6:1–7)?
3. What is the result of the benevolent ministry of the church (v. 34)? How do we know that the members of the early church retained personal possession of their property? How do the members relate to their own personal property? How do the members relate to other members in need? What animates this concern for the other members of the body of Christ? How does this benevolence relate to the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus (v. 33)?
4. How do you relate to your own personal property? How do you relate to the body of Christ? How is Christ the Lord of your finances? Is the strength of your connection to the other members of the body of Christ as strong as what we see in the passage? If not, why do you think that is? How might you grow in your love for and commitment to meeting the needs of the body of Christ from this passage?
