Communism in Acts?
What is going on in Acts 2:42-47?
The last few weeks I've been studying Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:23-37 for upcoming sermons.
Both of these passages are set during a very tight period of time during the early apostolic church. Acts 2:42-47 summarizes the life of the first Christians immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
This passage is strange for a few reasons.
1. Communism
On the one hand, communism seems very out of place as a discussion point based on these passages. Yet, in every commentary I've read thus far, Communism comes up at some point either explicitly, or as a passing reference. I've yet to read anyone arguing that communism is a biblically commanded form of government. Because of the absence of anyone making a positive argument for communism (from my readings), it seems strange for so many different authors from various traditions to bring communism into the discussion.
On the other hand, living after the 20th century leaves Christian communities with the very recent and current presence of communism in various forms. The atrocities committed in the name of various forms of governance are well attested throughout the history of the bible, which include monarchies, oligarchies, dictatorships, empires, republics, and democracies. It makes a great amount of sense for preachers, commentators, and authors to comment on this passage about the sharing of material goods and cite that this isn't a text prescribing communism as the divinely appointed choice of governance.
2. Logistics
Thousands are added to the believers numbers in a single day at Pentecost. The logistical considerations are staggering when this passage is put into perspective. During the Passover, massive crowds of Jews on pilgrimage to Jerusalem had assembled and demanded the crucifixion of Jesus from Nazareth. Jesus' disciples in Jerusalem were a rather small band of believers, numbers a few dozen at the most at the time of the resurrection.
49 days after the resurrection, a gathering of the leaders of believers and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit leads to thousands being added to the community overnight. Imagine what this would be like for you? You and your family have traveled to a far away city, and now realize that God had unveiled the fulfillment of all his promises the weekend you're visiting. Suddenly thousands of strangers whom you had vague affiliation with now become the witnesses of the fruition of God's work.
Now a community of a few dozen, became a community of several thousand overnight. In this regard, the summary from Luke in Acts 2 is remarkable and speaks to the level of outstanding transformation in the hearts, attitudes, and actions of the growing community. Often times, when communities grow quickly, the needs overtake the ability to meet those needs, and the community then collapses in on itself. Yet this community, marked by the fruits of the Spirit, continues to grow numerically and in their devotion to God and to his people.
3. Brevity
The passage is rather sparse on details when compared with surrounding moments in the early church. The day of Pentecost is filled with descriptive details about the people involved, the words spoken, and the events of the day. After this summary in 2:42-47, we're given specific details about the events that take place "One day" (Acts 3:1) when Peter and John go into the temple (Which was a common daily occurrence for the community of Pentecost Christians Act 2:46). Peter and John are the instruments of God's power, and are soon the recipients of a challenge from the Sanhedrin. The presiding official of this challenge is none other than Caiaphas - the same presiding official over the trial of Jesus.
An amazing amount of detail, including dialog, is recorded of the trial, and the following events after the trial. Peter and John must have been having flash backs to only a few weeks previously when they were witnesses to Christ's trial and eventual execution. During the first confrontation with Caiaphas Peter and John left Christ alone as they fled the scene. During this second confrontation, Peter speaks being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8). What a turnaround!
After Peter and John are released, Acts progresses with more details about the daily trials of the growing Christian community. In Acts 5 Luke records a great deal about the first high crimes of the post-Pentecost community: Ananias and Sapphira. Yet in the midst of all these details, there are these brief moments of summation by Luke like Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37.
4. Nostalgia
Oftentimes I've been a part of conversations dissecting the various ills and ailments of the present church in North America. Many times there is a zealous desire to return to a "simpler" time when the church was in its infancy. This passage is strange and tricky because if we read it in a vaccum, it may give the impression that all was well and right in the world when the church was "simple" and "small" (any church that has 3000+ members in it is NOT small in my estimation!).
A desire to uplift what was good about the early church is certainly noteworthy, but looking back with rose colored glasses was not the intention of Luke for future generations. In Acts 1:8 Jesus gives his global scope for his witnesses:
I'll keep chewing and praying through these passages. I hope that some of these reflections and struggles I've had with Acts are used by God to encourage you, challenge you, and change you more into the person Christ desires you to become.
The last few weeks I've been studying Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:23-37 for upcoming sermons.
Both of these passages are set during a very tight period of time during the early apostolic church. Acts 2:42-47 summarizes the life of the first Christians immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
This passage is strange for a few reasons.
1. Communism
On the one hand, communism seems very out of place as a discussion point based on these passages. Yet, in every commentary I've read thus far, Communism comes up at some point either explicitly, or as a passing reference. I've yet to read anyone arguing that communism is a biblically commanded form of government. Because of the absence of anyone making a positive argument for communism (from my readings), it seems strange for so many different authors from various traditions to bring communism into the discussion.
On the other hand, living after the 20th century leaves Christian communities with the very recent and current presence of communism in various forms. The atrocities committed in the name of various forms of governance are well attested throughout the history of the bible, which include monarchies, oligarchies, dictatorships, empires, republics, and democracies. It makes a great amount of sense for preachers, commentators, and authors to comment on this passage about the sharing of material goods and cite that this isn't a text prescribing communism as the divinely appointed choice of governance.
2. Logistics
Thousands are added to the believers numbers in a single day at Pentecost. The logistical considerations are staggering when this passage is put into perspective. During the Passover, massive crowds of Jews on pilgrimage to Jerusalem had assembled and demanded the crucifixion of Jesus from Nazareth. Jesus' disciples in Jerusalem were a rather small band of believers, numbers a few dozen at the most at the time of the resurrection.
49 days after the resurrection, a gathering of the leaders of believers and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit leads to thousands being added to the community overnight. Imagine what this would be like for you? You and your family have traveled to a far away city, and now realize that God had unveiled the fulfillment of all his promises the weekend you're visiting. Suddenly thousands of strangers whom you had vague affiliation with now become the witnesses of the fruition of God's work.
Now a community of a few dozen, became a community of several thousand overnight. In this regard, the summary from Luke in Acts 2 is remarkable and speaks to the level of outstanding transformation in the hearts, attitudes, and actions of the growing community. Often times, when communities grow quickly, the needs overtake the ability to meet those needs, and the community then collapses in on itself. Yet this community, marked by the fruits of the Spirit, continues to grow numerically and in their devotion to God and to his people.
3. Brevity
The passage is rather sparse on details when compared with surrounding moments in the early church. The day of Pentecost is filled with descriptive details about the people involved, the words spoken, and the events of the day. After this summary in 2:42-47, we're given specific details about the events that take place "One day" (Acts 3:1) when Peter and John go into the temple (Which was a common daily occurrence for the community of Pentecost Christians Act 2:46). Peter and John are the instruments of God's power, and are soon the recipients of a challenge from the Sanhedrin. The presiding official of this challenge is none other than Caiaphas - the same presiding official over the trial of Jesus.
An amazing amount of detail, including dialog, is recorded of the trial, and the following events after the trial. Peter and John must have been having flash backs to only a few weeks previously when they were witnesses to Christ's trial and eventual execution. During the first confrontation with Caiaphas Peter and John left Christ alone as they fled the scene. During this second confrontation, Peter speaks being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8). What a turnaround!
After Peter and John are released, Acts progresses with more details about the daily trials of the growing Christian community. In Acts 5 Luke records a great deal about the first high crimes of the post-Pentecost community: Ananias and Sapphira. Yet in the midst of all these details, there are these brief moments of summation by Luke like Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37.
4. Nostalgia
Oftentimes I've been a part of conversations dissecting the various ills and ailments of the present church in North America. Many times there is a zealous desire to return to a "simpler" time when the church was in its infancy. This passage is strange and tricky because if we read it in a vaccum, it may give the impression that all was well and right in the world when the church was "simple" and "small" (any church that has 3000+ members in it is NOT small in my estimation!).
A desire to uplift what was good about the early church is certainly noteworthy, but looking back with rose colored glasses was not the intention of Luke for future generations. In Acts 1:8 Jesus gives his global scope for his witnesses:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”This little community in Jerusalem eventually becomes too comfortable, too self important, and too self secluded. So much so that only the brutal murder of Stephen and house-to-house persecution that follows can mobilize the church to carry out their work as witnesses of the resurrected Christ. The things that bring us comfort in this life are nice, and Christian community is nice. It's a good thing that we should be thankful to God for! Yet Christian community - even ones that appear ideal - do not exist simply for the comfort of those inside them - they exist for the glory of the one who made them! To act as witnesses throughout all of humanity testifying of the life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah.
I'll keep chewing and praying through these passages. I hope that some of these reflections and struggles I've had with Acts are used by God to encourage you, challenge you, and change you more into the person Christ desires you to become.
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