Conversation Points for Acts 4:32-35

Study Format:
1. Read passage aloud. What did you notice in the reading? What words or phrase caught your attention?
2. Read passage aloud a second time. What questions would you ask the text?
3. Read passage aloud a third time. What do you hear God calling you to do or be in response to this text?

Interesting Ideas to Consider:
• At the point of this passage, the apostles have drawn the attention of the religious authorities in Jerusalem, resulting in the arrest of Peter and John and a hearing before the Sanhedrin court. Yet even as the church faces challenges, 4:31 assures the reader of the eventual results: “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” This section is one of Luke’s pauses in the story to share the inner-workings of the church. This passage is similar to 2:42-47.
• In this section, Luke uses a well-known rhetorical device called a chiasmus. From the Greek letter χ, it indicates that the focus of the reader’s attention should be at the center of the text. “X marks the spot,” if you will. The pattern of this is ABCB’A’. A/A’ is the sharing of goods among the community.” A: v. 32 “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.” A’: v. 35b “it was distributed to each as any had need.” B/B’ is the role of the apostles. B: v. 33a “With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” B’: v. 34b-35a “for as many owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet.” C, the point of most importance, is that this practice connects the community with the grace of God and alleviates poverty. V. 33b-34a “great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them.”

Works Sourced:
Cary, Greg. “Commentary on Acts 4:32-35.” Working Preacher. . Accessed: 2 April 2018.

Wall, Robert W. “The Acts of the Apostles.” The New Interpreter’s Bible Volume X. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002.