‘And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that anything of all which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.'
Compare Acts 2:44, although note the slight difference in emphasis. Here it is on the fact of their total unity with each other in heart and mind as they have grown to know each other, there it was a spontaneous ‘togetherness'. There is a growing together in love. It had been Jesus' dictum that all men would know Christians by the love that they showed to one another (John 13:34-35; John 15:12; John 15:17). This was first fully manifested in this early Jerusalem church by togetherness and now by growing unity in heart and mind. They were a new and unique group, probably ostracised by many Jews, especially those with high positions in the various synagogues and the Temple, but now drawing together more and more in their new-found faith and hope and fellowship. They rejoiced in Jesus Christ, shared food together (Acts 2:42; Acts 2:46), prayed together, learned the truth together, witnessed together, and were becoming ‘of one heart and one soul'. They constantly revealed their love for one another.
For the reasons given above there would be many who were in need, and thus there would need to be a common sharing of food and money so that all could be provided for (Acts 6:1). Here this is deliberately portrayed in terms which express a kind of divine perfection. The Kingly Rule of God is being manifested on earth, that Kingly Rule under which all food and clothing would be provided by God to those who sought the Kingly Rule of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:19-34). They were letting their light so shine before men that they would see their good works and glorify their Father Who was in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
‘Not one of them said that anything of all which he possessed was his own.' They had gained a new outlook on their possessions. Instead of clinging on to them they recognised that they belonged to God and were therefore to be at His disposal. And that also meant that they should be available to any in need.
‘Had all things in common.' Many people piously tell God that they see what they possess as belonging to Him and at His disposal. But it is a different matter when it comes to following it up. Having ‘given' it to God they cling tightly onto it. Here, however, the new community put it into practise. They actually in practise treated their possessions as available to any who needed them. They were not ‘in common' literally, for they did not live together, but they expressed it practically in their concern for one another and provision for each other. The idea is that they did not hold anything back from each other. If any was in need he could ask and it would be provided, with none denying his right to ask. And yet it was all voluntary. There was no constraint on any.