Communal Christianity
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted
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· 9 viewsBiblical example of communal christianity so no one was in need.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Local News
Local News
(Local News Picture inserted here)
Everyone likes to see, read, hear about local news, what is going on in their community, in their neighborhood. Local news here lead to local sharing and that is what we are looking at this evening as we continue our series, Witness to the World: Book of Acts.
The first church ever was a local church, born in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, just as we are a local church here in Fort Dodge IA. We read the local paper, watch the local news to see what is going on in our local area.
If we step back and were to look as a reporter at the local church in Jerusalem there are things we would see.
First church was local, and they were dedicated (Act2:42-47)
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Act2:42-43
47)
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Local, dedicated, devoted, they were together, and they were effective (had favor with all people (v.47))
A few more quick points
They were forgiven and empowered (Act2:38)
The were full of active faith (Act3:6)
They were filled with wonder and amazement (Act3:10)
They were growing (Act4:4)
They were a praying community (Act4:23-31)
(transition) - So, this first church ever had lots in common and they became a community of believers.
First church was local, and they were communal (Act4:32-37)
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. 36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
They lived, they survived because they were local, they were devoted, they were together and had all things in common and it made them effective!
So, was having “all things in common” the norm for them? What about for us today?
May we look at our passage today along with other passages that can help us understand and answer those two questions.
Communal Christianity in local church.
Communal Christianity in local church.
So what did communal Christianity look like, what did it involve? Let’s look together and look at both good,and even some bad examples of communal Christianity.
Communal Christianity had all things in common (Act2:42; Act4:32)
In Act2:42 we know they were continually devoting themselves to specific things, “they” being the community of believers
THey were really needing one another for when they became Christians many were cut off from families who did not respond to the gospel. They wanted to be together, many may have stayed after Pentecost so there was the needs of the pilgrims that came in.
All of this was to prepare them for what was coming in just a few years (AD47-49) under Claudius there was going to be a severe famine and what the local church did now, was the example that the other local churches that were to be born would do to help them in their time of need.
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
act4:32
They were of one heart and soul, selfishness went out the door and they were willing to sacrifice for one another
Communal Christianity looked out and helped one another (Act4:34-35)
Many sold things to help one another
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
They would bring the proceeds to help any who had need
35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
(Giving picture inserted here)
A little side note, by bringing the proceeds and laying them at the apostles feet they are acknowledging the authority of the Apostles in the distribution of the proceeds to be used for God’s intended purpose. It was God’s proceeds to be used for God’s purpose through God’s chosen people, in this case the apostles.
We do some of the same things here, we give so we can give, to help the community.
Food, clothing, even furniture
A motel room or a tank of gas
Maybe some financial help on a personal level
Maybe benevolence from the church itself.
expand on giving to give
Communal Christianity a good example (Act4:36-37)
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Something interesting to notice here, Barnabas was a Levite, Levites were not intended to give but to be given to, to be provided for, but here we have Joseph who see this man and rename this man Barnabas because of his displayed way of love and giving. He truly was a son of encouragement.
Christianity changes everything and Barnabas was a living example, a good example of that.
Communal Christianity and example to learn from (Act5:1-4)
Not all examples are good examples, there are ones that are not so good that we can see and learn from.
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
act
Whereas Barnabas gave sacrificially; Ananias and Sapphira gave deceptively. We will look more at them next week.
Communal Christianity exampled recipients (Act6:1; Jm1:27)
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
and look at
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
So giving was to help the widows, the orphans in distress. In a time of need in the local church there were some that were being overlooked and it was quickly addressed and taken care of.
(Transition) So, do you think maybe that communal Christianity is a form of communism? Is that the norm, or should that be the norm for the church today?
Observations on communal Christianity
Observations on communal Christianity
I’m pretty confident you don’t like that word, communism, but maybe we better look closer at and see if that is what the local church that was a communal church was.
Communism defined: A classless society in which private ownership has been abolished and the means and sustenance belongs to the community.
That is from Vine’s bible encyclopedia, Websters defines is as 1. a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed. 2. A theory advocating elimination of private property.
SO
So, is it communism? No, for communism requires, but the communal Christians freely gave, not under compulsion (2Cor8:12, 9:7)
12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
People in the local church, the communal church gave from what they have
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
They gave as they purposed in their heart, and gave cheerfully.
Giving given but deceptively as exampled in (Act5:1-8)
So, was this the norm? Did all give, give all, give purposed, give cheerfully? If you look back at Act5:1-4 at the story of Ananias ans Sapphira you can see it was not the norm. They did not need to give, they chose to give, but gave deceptively and they lied to the Holy Spirit (Act5:3) and the wife did so too after the death of Ananias (Act5:7-8).
Not required to give, others kept their homes (Act12:12; Act18:1-3; 1Cor16:19)
12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
Years ago, this church (body of believers) started like many did, as exampled in the early church as a house church, or a house used for prayer as seen there in Act12:12
Then there is one of my favorite ministry couples in the bible and they used their home, kept their home in their relocated place as place opened up for other believers to stay (in this case Paul)
1 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them,
3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers.
And from housing to using as a meeting place too
19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
1Cor16:19
You can read more even in Rom16:3-5 but do that on your own.
Other examples (Col4:15; Philemon2, 22)
then there was sister Nympha who had a church in her home.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.
Also, Apphia, Archippus and Philemon, another stopping and staying place for Paul
2 and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
Phil
22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.
(Transition) We need to be ready to open our doors, open our hearts and as exampled previously open our wallets in our local work for the community of believers especially.
Be willing to give (1Tim6:17-19)
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
1Tim6:
18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
We are instructed to give and by doing such we store up for ourselves a treasure of a good foundation for the future.
(transition) I think we have see that communal Christianity is not communism, it is love, it is compassion, it is caring, it is sharing, and it is exampled.
Communal Christianity
Communal Christianity
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
The example provided so we may be a communal body who strives together. So, here is reminder and application.
act4;
32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), 37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The example before us about the local church then is they were communal and :
A church filled with and showing brotherly love
A church empowered by the Holy Spirit that was devoted to one another in more than just words, talk, but in deeds they showed their love in willingness to love and give to one another.
A church not obligated to give but freely gave so no one was in need.
May we continue to be a giving, caring, loving, compassionate church that takes care of one another so no one is in need.
A church that was replicated as the gospel message carried outward.
(Encouragement slide - give your heart to the lord)
Where the gospel message was not proclaimed here in our passage today
The first and most important thing you can give is give yourself, give your heart to the Lord
steps to salvation
Invitation to call, text, let’s help you on that journey
(Encouragement slide 2 - Christian community)
prepare to close, pray (Exit slide - thanks for coming) End recording