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Local News
Everyone likes to read, hear the local news what is going on in your neighborhood, your city.
The first church was a local church and it was located in Jerusalem.
We are a local church located in Vernon TX.
We have news of what is going on here and need to get it out to those in the local area.
The first church was local and dedicated - Act2:42-47
They were local, they were devoted, they were together, they were effective with all people.
It survived as it started, local - Act4:32-37 our passage today
Because they had all things in common and shared so no one was in need, did they practice a form of communism?
We will define that shortly, but keep it in mind.
Is having all things in common mean “all things?”
What was the norm then, and should that be the norm today for the church?
There are several passages here in book of Acts as well as a few other passages that can help us to address and answer these questions?
I. Communal Community in Jerusalem
Communal community had all things in common (Act2:42; 4:32)
Communal community involved selling to help (act2:45, 4:34)
Communal community divided the proceed to help any who had need (Act2:45, 4:34-35)
Communal community divided the proceed to help any who had need (Act2:45, 4:34-35)
Here in our local church we give to help meet the needs of others
food, clothing, a motel room to a wayward traveller at times or someone in a bad situation
meals, rides
financial assistance personally
benevolence from the church
How about some biblical examples both good and bad
Joseph/Joses aka (Barnabas) - Act4:36-37
Barnabas, Mr. encouragement gave all that he had (sacrificially)
Ananias and Sapphira - Act5:1-4
Ananias and Sapphira - Act5:1-4
Act5:3-4
Ananias and Sapphira gave deceptively
Widows - Act6:1
It was normal practice to take care of widows and orphans and here the Hellenist widows were being overlooked in their time of need.
They, without a doubt, practiced a form of communal community within the Christian community.
But is it a form of communism, is it what should be the norm for the church today?
II.
Observations on communal Christianity
Definition of communism.
1 a : a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed.
b : a theory advocating elimination of private property
Communism
A classless society in which private ownership has been abolished and the means and subsistence belong to the community.
So it is communism?
NO, communism requires it, the Jerusalem church, the local church, was giving freely, not out of compulsion.
Proof found (2Cor8:12, 9:7)
Give from what they have
Give as they have purposed in their heart, not grudgingly
The other question asked was, is this the norm then?
Ananias and Saphira proved it was not the norm, they did not have to give but they gave from what was their in the first place.
The problem was they lied (Act5:1-4, 7-8)
Other proof is others who kept their homes (Act12:12)
Oh then a couple of my favorite people (act18:1-3, 1Cor16:19; Rom16:3-5)
OR how about
1Cor18:19
Rom16:3-5
It’s hard to stay away from them, they were a great example of a ministry team!
Just a few more examples
Nymphas, who was near to the church at Colossi (Col4:15)
Apphia, Archippus, and Philemon, in whom Paul wanted to stay with; (Phi2, 22)
Philemon
We need to be ready, willing to give, to share with the local church, our christian community of believers, be rich in good works (1Tim6:17-19)
Commanded to
We are instructed to give and by doing such we store up for ourselves a treasure of a good foundation for the future!
III.
The communal community: The example before us.
Let us briefly look at the example before us again and summarize and get some take away from it.
The example before us we can see in the local church, the communal church they were an example of:
A church filled not just with, but with showing brotherly love.
A church not obligated to give, but freely gave so no one was in need
The local church, well it was just born, it was the “first church ever” and it happened on Pentecost (see Act2:1-11) there were many people who had come in for the Jewish festival and walked away as Christians.
There could have been many who stayed in the moment, in the movement to see what was going to happen next and the local church was there to help them on their journey as disciples of Christ.
The local church was more than willing to give up to others so there was no one in need.
So, was it communism?
- No! It was love that was freely given and to us today it should be freely given to help the needs of the church (body of believers) and to bring others to come to be a part of the body of believers.
Are you a part of the communal community?
(lead to invitation)
Insert invitation slide
(below is only for hand-out)
Be a part of the communal community by being prayerful and participation.
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