Definition: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 4:32. It’s a really important part of understanding how early Christians started to work together and become a community. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: When the apostle Peter was speaking, a group of people were listening to his teachings. He said, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” Let's unpack it: “The multitude of them that believed” : This refers to a group of people who had been listening to Peter’s message. It means many people were sharing in the same belief or faith. “were of one heart and of one soul” : This is the key part! “Heart” here means their minds, their intentions, and their beliefs. “Soul” means their spirit – their emotional connection to God. They were all thinking the same way about what Peter was saying. “neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own” : This is a really important point. It means they weren't boasting or showing off their possessions (like money, wealth, or status). They were focused on sharing everything equally with each other. They weren’t trying to impress anyone with what they had. “but they had all things common” : This is the final part – they shared everything equally and didn't have any special advantages over others. It emphasizes that their unity was more important than anything they might individually possess. What does this tell us about early Christians? This verse shows that from the very beginning, these people were united in purpose and weren’t focused on individual wealth or power. They valued each other's company and shared everything equally – a crucial foundation for their community to grow. In essence, it highlights the importance of unity, generosity, and selfless service within the early Christian community. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this passage in more detail?