Christian Community Part 2

Introduction:

Luke has described Peter and John’s treatment by the Sanhedrin.

The two apostles reported what happened to the Jerusalem congregation, and they prayed for boldness.

Luke has made a point, at times, to show the power of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the congregation.

Acts 4:31 is a unique example of this.

He points to an undeterred group.

How would we respond under similar circumstances?

Would we be cowed by the threats, or would we pray for courage like the apostles had?

How would facing persecution affect us?

Unity in the Face of Conflict

For God’s people, conflict should come from the outside rather than the inside.

We know from the remainder of the NT that the ideal does not always become the reality.

Luke follows his earlier pattern, see Acts 2:42-47

He does not specify how many people are included in the group who believed,

But, the mass, he stresses, remained unified.

Perhaps we should think of the two terms as stressing a single idea.

We would expect extreme conditions to break the bonds of the unity, but this is the second time where that has not been the case.

Community in the Face of Conflict

Rather than being driven by wealth and social rank, the believers maintained their community and practiced generosity.

Features of their communal practices include:

Not one was saying any of his possessions were his own.

There was an absence of selfishness.

All were shared by them. This suggests that property owners did not mind that others from the group stayed on their property or made use of their property for their needs.

Luke, however, will expand upon this below.

Consistency by the Apostles and the Believers

Luke tells of the continued practices of the apostles and of the church.

He sets up telling about the lack of need within the church by two observations.

The apostles “repaid” (gave forth) the witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power.

This probably indicates two realities.

They were unafraid to continue preaching the resurrection in public.

Their boldness prompted proper action on the part of the believers.

This may also foreshadow the mounting pressures on the apostles to balance preaching and internal management.

Great grace was upon them all.

This may be about the apostles and the public favor they enjoyed.

It seems to point to the public reputation of the congregation, especially, in light of the “for” in the succeeding explanation.

The general public looked upon them favorably, as they had Jesus.

Their treatment of one another was vital to this reputation.

Luke explains in greater detail why there was no lack of need among them.

Owners of physical lands and houses, as many of them as there were sold them and brought the value of what they sold to the feet of the disciples.

Luke is very clear this was when there was necessity.

How much money was needed if it required selling property and houses?

Think of the absence of rank or the generosity needed to sell personal property to take care of others.

A Contrast of Peoples

Luke cites Barnabas as an example of someone he has more generally describes.

The Apostles gave him a nickname based upon his embodiment of the generosity and helpfulness he displayed.

They called him “son of encouragment.” This must refer to his giving. (Note Acts 4:37).

At length, however, Luke gives Ananias and Sapphira as negative examples.

He does more than focus on them, however.

He shows they use generosity as a chance for embezzlement.

They disrespect the authority/persons of the apostles.

They show no regard for the Holy Spirit and the empowerment, thereby, of the Apostles.

This becomes important for maintaining the unity of the congregation.

These two become an example for everyone else to avoid.