Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the church expanded daily. The many Jews joining the number, plus the number of non-Jews, meant that the former belief systems represented were incompatible. It was the message of Jesus that had brought them into community, but this new-forming congregation had a lot of learning to do, especially in how to accept one another, and how to be patient with one another. And maybe more, how to look beyond their respective backgrounds and learn, together, that God, their one Father, was a Holy God, and as He was elsewhere described, a jealous God, a consuming fire.
Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-5:11 (Exodus 19:1-25, Numbers 4:4-20, 2 Samuel 6:1-15)
Acts 2:42 –Holy Spirit blessing _________________________
Acts 2:43-47 – Holy Spirit blessing ______________________
Acts 4:32-5:11 – Holy Spirit blessing ____________________
*absolute, superlative purity, and Supreme otherness