4:31 filled with the Holy Ghost. This was at least the second time that these early Christians in the Jerusalem church were filled with the Holy Spirit (note Acts 2:4). The “filling” of the Holy Spirit is not a once-for-all experience, but an oft-repeated experience, to be attained through earnest prayer and desire to honor God. Its manifestation is not usually that of supernatural speaking in other languages, as at Pentecost, but rather that of “speaking the word of God with boldness,” as on this occasion, and that of a joyful and godly Christian life (see Ephesians 5:18-20).

4:32 one soul. “One soul” connotes a common spirit of enthusiasm for the job at hand.

4:32 all things common. “Common” in the Greek means simply “ordinary.” Some believers (e.g., Barnabas—Acts 4:36-37) were well to do, but considered their possessions as just common goods which could easily be given up. This was not an early example of socialism or communism, as some teach, for it was entirely voluntary, not planned and enforced governmentally. They did not give up their possessions except as needed, but were quite willing to do so. Furthermore, this was done because of the special circumstances at the time and was not the practice among other churches. We should always be willing to share as needed, but this does not normally entail turning all possessions over to the church leaders.