Characteristics of the Early Christian Community: The Work of the Spirit in Acts 2:42-47

Authors

  • Adolfo Suárez DSA
  • Vamberto Marinho de Arruda Junior Seminário Adventista Latino-Americano de Teologia - UNIAENE - SALT/UNIANE, Bahia, (Brasil)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19141/1809-2454.kerygma.v20.n1.pe1673

Keywords:

Acts of the Apostles, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Christian community, Luke’s theology

Abstract

This article investigates how Acts 2:42-47 describes a faith community that operates through the power of the Holy Spirit, reflecting the practical outworking of the Christian mission after Pentecost. The central issue addressed is the difficulty many contemporary churches face in uniting doctrinal faithfulness and spiritual vitality with social relevance. To this end, an exegetical-theological analysis of the pericope in Acts 2:42-47 is employed, considering its literary, historical, and theological contexts, with special attention to Lukan pneumatology and missiology. The proposed reading emphasizes that the actions of the early church are not human strategies but fruits of the Spirit's work. The findings highlight essential characteristics of a Spirit-shaped Christian community: apostolic teaching, fellowship, sharing, prayer, reverence, public worship, witness, and growth. It is concluded that these elements, interpreted within their pneumatological framework, can inspire a theological model of spirituality and mission for today’s church.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Adolfo Suárez, DSA

Doutor e mestre em Ciências da Religião pela Universidade Metodista de São Paulo. Pós-Doutor em Teologia pela Escola Superior de Teologia (EST). Bacharel em Teologia pelo Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo; Licenciado em Pedagogia pelo Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo. É visiting professor do programa Master in Leadership, da Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI, EUA).

Vamberto Marinho de Arruda Junior, Seminário Adventista Latino-Americano de Teologia - UNIAENE - SALT/UNIANE, Bahia, (Brasil)

Doutorando e mestre em Teologia pela PUC-SP. Bacharel e mestre (intracorpus) em Teologia Bíblica pelo SALT-UNIAENE. Especialista em Sagradas Escrituras pelo Centro Cristão de Estudos Judaicos e em Interpretação e Ensino da Bíblia. Bolsista CAPES

References

ANDREASEN, M. L. The Ordinances of the Lord’s House. Ministry, Jan. 1947, p. 5-6; 44; 46. Disponível em: https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1947/01/. Acesso em: 10 mar. 2025.

ASSOCIAÇÃO MINISTERIAL DA ASSOCIAÇÃO GERAL DOS ADVENTISTAS DO SÉTIMO DIA. Nisto cremos. 10. ed. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, 2018.

AUNE, D. E. The New Testament in its literary environment. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1989.

BALZ, Horst R.; SCHNEIDER, Gerhard. προσκαρτερέω proskartereō. In: BALZ, Horst R.; SCHNEIDER, Gerhard (org.). Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament, v. 3. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990—, p. 172.

BARRETT, C. K. A critical and exegetical commentary on the acts of the Apostles. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 2004. (International Critical Commentary).

BÍBLIA. Português. A Bíblia Sagrada. Traduzida em português por João Ferreira de Almeida. Revista e Atualizada no Brasil. 2. ed. Barueri: Sociedade Bíblica do Brasil, 1999.

BLEVINS, D. G.; MADDIX, M. A. Discovering Discipleship: Dynamics of Christian Education. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 2010.

BLOMBERG, C. L. Jesus e os Evangelhos: uma introdução ao estudo dos 4 evangelhos. São Paulo: Vida Nova, 2009.

BOOR, W. de. Comentário Esperança: Atos dos Apóstolos. Curitiba: Editora Evangélica Esperança, 2002.

BOVON, F. Das Evangelium nach Lukas (Lk 1,1-9,50). Zürich: Benziger; NeukirchenVluyn: Neukirchener, 1989. (Evangelisch-Katholischer Kommentar Zum Neuen Testament, III/1).

BRIGHT, B. 5 Steps to Making Disciples — Leader’s Guide. Orlando: New Life Publications, 1997.

BRUCE, F. F. The Book of the Acts. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988. (The New International Commentary on the New Testament).

CAMPOS, H. C. Crescimento de Igreja: Com Reforma ou com Reavivamento?. Fides Reformata, 1(1), 1996, não paginado. Disponível em: https://cpaj.mackenzie.br/fileadmin/user_upload/4_Crescimento_de_Igreja_Com_Reforma_ou_com_Reavivamento_Heber_Campos.pdf. Acesso em: 15 jun. 2020.

CHRYSOSTOM. Homilies on Acts 7. In: SCHAFF, P. (Ed.). Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, V. 11. New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889. Reimpressão: Peabody: Hendrickson, 1999.

COENEN, L.; BROWN, C. (Orgs.). Dicionário Internacional de Teologia do Novo Testamento. São Paulo: Vida Nova, s.d.

DORMEYER, Detlev; GALINDO, Florencio. Comentario a los Hechos de los Apóstoles: modelo de nueva evangelización. Estella (Navarra): Editorial Verbo Divino, 2010. (Coleção Evangelio y cultura, v. 4).

GANGEL, K. O. Acts. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998. (Holman New Testament Commentary, v. 5).

GRENZER, Matthias. Em defesa da criança (Ex 1,15-2,10). Revista de Cultura Teológica, v. 55, p. 25-37, 2006.

HAUCK, F. κοινός, κοινωνός, κοινωνέω, κοινωνία, συγκοινωνός, συγκοινωνέω, κοινωνικός, κοινόω. In: KITTEL, G.; FRIEDRICH, G. (eds.). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament V. 3. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965 p. 789-809.

IGREJA ADVENTISTA DO SÉTIMO DIA. Manual da Igreja. 23. ed. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, 2023.

JOHNSON, Luke T. The Acts of the Apostles. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1992. (Sacra Pagina Series, v. 5).

KEENER, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary. V. 1: Introduction and 1:1—2:47. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012.

KISTEMAKER, S. Atos v. 1. 2. ed. São Paulo: Editora Cultura Cristã, 2016.

KLINGBEIL, C. J.; KLINGBEIL, G. A. “Ir à igreja ou não?”. Diálogo, 22(1), 2010, p. 911, 30.

LANGE, J. P. et al. A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Acts. Logos Bible Software, 2008.

LARKIN, W. J., JR. Acts. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 1995. (IVP New Testament Commentary, V. 5).

LEWIS, C. S. Mere Christianity. London: Geoffrey Bles, 1952.

LOPES, H. D. Atos: A Ação do Espírito Santo na Vida da Igreja (J. C. Martinez, Org.). São Paulo: Hagnos, 2012.

MARSHALL, I. H. Acts: An introduction and commentary (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, V. 5). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1980.

NICHOLS, F. D. (Ed.). Comentário Bíblico Adventista do Sétimo Dia: Volume 6. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, 2014.

PARSONS, Mikeal C. Acts. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. (Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament).

PETERSON, D. G. The Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009.

PERVO, R. I. Acts: A commentary on the Book of Acts (H. W. Attridge, Org.). Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2009.

POLHILL, John B. Acts. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. (The New American Commentary, V. 26).

RODRÍGUEZ CARMONA, A. A obra de Lucas (Lucas-Atos): dimensão literária. In: AGUIRRE MONASTERIO, R. (eds.). A Obra de Lucas (Lucas-Atos). Traduzido por Alceu Luiz Orso. 5. ed. São Paulo: Ave Maria, 2012, p. 265-366. (Introdução ao estudo da Bíblia, v. 6).

RODRÍGUEZ CARMONA, A. Historia de la exégesis Lucana. In: AGUIRRE MONASTERIO, R. (eds.). La investigación de los evangelios sinópticos y Hechos de los Apóstoles en el siglo XX. 3. ed. Estella (Navarra): Editorial Verbo Divino, 2008, p. 277-283. (Introdución al estudio de la Biblia, v. 11).

STERN, David H. Jewish New Testament Commentary: a companion volume to the Jewish New Testament. Electronic ed. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications, 1996.

STOTT, J. R. W. The message of Acts: The Spirit, the church & the world. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.

TALBERT, C. H. Acts. Atlanta: John Knox, 1984.

TURNER, Max. Luke and the Spirit: Renewing Theological Interpretation of Biblical Pneumatology. In: BARTHOLOMEW, Craig G.; GREEN, Joel B.; THISELTON, Anthony. (ed.). Reading Luke: Interpretation, Reflection, Formation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan; Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2005. p. 267—293. (Scripture and Hermeneutics Series, v. 6).

WADE, J. W. Acts: Unlocking the Scriptures for You. Cincinnati: Standard, 1987.

WHITE, E. G. A Ciência do Bom Viver [CBV]. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, s.d.

WHITE, E. G. Atos dos Apóstolos. 8. ed. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, 1999.

WHITE, E. G. Caminho a Cristo: Passos que conduzem à verdadeira felicidade [CC]. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, s.d.

WHITE, E. G. O Desejado de Todas as Nações [DTN]. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, s.d.

WHITE, E. G. Patriarcas e Profetas [PP]. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, s.d.

WHITE, E. G. Serviço Cristão [SC]. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora Brasileira, s.d.

WHITE, E. G. Testemunhos para a Igreja, v. 4 [T4]. Tatuí: Casa Publicadora

Brasileira, s.d.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-07

How to Cite

SUÁREZ, A.; ARRUDA JUNIOR, V. M. de. Characteristics of the Early Christian Community: The Work of the Spirit in Acts 2:42-47. Kerygma, Engenheiro Coelho, SP, v. 20, n. 1, p. e1673, 2025. DOI: 10.19141/1809-2454.kerygma.v20.n1.pe1673. Disponível em: https://revistas.unasp.edu.br/kerygma/article/view/1673. Acesso em: 27 jan. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2025): Fluxo contínuo

Section

Artigos

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Kerygma

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright Statement

In summary, authors who publish in Kerygma must agree that:

  1. Once accepted for publication, the copyright of the articles is transferred to Kerygma.

  2. All third-party materials used in the text must be properly referenced.

  3. Authors must hold the rights or permissions for the use of images, tables, and other graphic materials.

  4. Authors guarantee that the submitted manuscript is original, of their own authorship, and has not been submitted or published elsewhere.

  5. The opinions and ideas expressed in the texts are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal.

  6. The editors reserve the right to make textual revisions and adjustments in accordance with the journal’s editorial standards.

  7. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication, with the work licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

  8. Authors authorize the reproduction and adaptation of the material by Kerygma, with the authors’ participation or express authorization when required.

  9. The journal may distribute, store, archive, and make the articles available through any physical or digital means, whether free of charge or paid.

  10. Authors may enter into separate agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the published version of the work, provided that the original publication in Kerygma is acknowledged.

  11. Full or partial reproduction of the texts in other publications requires prior written authorization from the editor.

  12. Authors are permitted and encouraged to publish and distribute their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or personal webpages) before or during the editorial process, as this may increase the visibility and citation impact of the published work.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC