And who these enemies are, the apostle explains, crying out: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death, for He hath put all things under His feet" (1 Cor. 15:26–27). In the words "Sit at My right hand" we perceive the equal honor of the Father and the Son, since the concepts of "right" or "left" are inconceivable in relation to an incorporeal essence.
"God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ." The expression "has made" is used instead of "appointed," because the speech is not about existence nor about hypostatic being.
Acts 2:37–40. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles: what shall we do, men and brethren? Then Peter said unto them: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying: Save yourselves from this perverse generation.
You see how much condescension there is and how it is more capable than severity of penetrating the hearts of people and softening them. Although the blessed Peter does remind them in this passage of their audacities, he reminds them gently, adding nothing offensive to them. They were ashamed of Peter's condescension, that is, of the fact that with them—who had put to death the Lord Himself, who had raised their hands against the apostles and wished to destroy them—Peter spoke with care, as a father and teacher. "They were cut to the heart," it says: they were not simply convinced, but came to know themselves, for they say: "What shall we do, men and brethren?"—as if being at a loss and anxious about their audacities. Those whom they formerly called deceivers they now call brethren, and yet they do not dare to use this title before the face of those whom they so call, but wish to declare through it their love and how strongly the Jews had become disposed toward the apostles. Therefore, as the beginning of Peter's speech shows, the apostles themselves also called them by this name.
Although the question was posed to all the apostles, "Peter" again answers — since the apostles themselves preferred his mouth — and says: "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ." These words do not contradict the following words of the Gospel: "Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19), because the Church confesses the Holy Trinity as undivided, so that, by virtue of the unity of the three hypostases in essence, the one baptized in the name of Christ is baptized into the Trinity, since the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are undivided in essence. If the name of the Father were not God, and the name of the Son were not God, and the name of the Holy Spirit were not God, then one would have to say "in the name of God Jesus Christ," or even simply — only "in the Son." But Peter says in the "name of Jesus Christ," knowing that the name of Jesus is God, just as the name of the Father and the name of the Holy Spirit are also God.
"And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Note: Peter showed that the gift of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit are one and the same gift, since their dignity is also one and the same. Speaking above, he called this gift a promise, which "belongs to you… and to your children," because a gift is more valuable when the blessings pass also to one's heirs, "and to all who are far off." If this gift is for those who are far off, then all the more so for you who are near. Pay attention to when he pointed out to the Jews the calling of the Gentiles, saying "and to those who are far off." When? When he found them cut to the heart and having come to know themselves. When the soul condemns itself, then it can no longer envy.
Acts 2:41–47. So then, those who gladly received his word were baptized, and about three thousand souls were added that day. And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles' teaching, in fellowship and breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the Apostles in Jerusalem. Now all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they sold their possessions and property, and divided them among all, according to each one's need. And every day they continued with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and being in favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.
Here is the fulfillment of the prophecy which says: "Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor, she brought forth her sons" (Is. 66:8).
"There was... fear on every soul," because they did not disregard what was happening as something accidental. Since Peter was filled with abundant grace and was revealing the promises and the future, it was very natural that they were seized with fear, especially since he confirmed his words with the miracles and signs he performed. As with Christ—first signs, then teaching, then miracles—so also now.
"All… the believers were together," that is, not in place, but in disposition and in thoughts, in constant agreement among themselves and in love. And the words "according to each one's need" he uses not simply, but in the sense of "stewardship," because this expression shows that the apostles did not act as the philosophers among the Greeks, of whom some abandoned their fields, and others threw much gold into the sea. But this was not contempt for wealth, but foolishness and madness: the devil took care to defame the creations of God. To use wealth wisely is no trivial matter.
"Every day they continued with one accord in the temple." Not one day or two or three, but daily and with one accord, as if in one soul. Notice: the Jews who believed did nothing else but constantly remained in the temple, since, having become more attentive to the true faith, they were also filled with great reverence for this sacred place. And the apostles did not draw them away from there, so as not to harm them.
"Breaking bread from house to house." He means the sacred house even now, because they ate in this house. And the expression "breaking bread" shows their great abstinence and moderation in food, because it says "they partook of food," not "they gorged themselves on food." Thus, by faith they changed their very way of life for the better. And in what way did they have favor with all people? Luke says: "being in favor with all the people." How so? By their actions — almsgiving and purity of conduct. The priests, out of hatred and envy, turned away from them and attacked them, but among the people they had love.