Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam
The sharing of food and property in the latter part of Acts chapter 2 was a temporary and local thing. At that time the population of Jerusalem was about 50,000 but on some feast days there could be as many as 2 million people in and around the city. 3000 people had believed what Peter preached and they accepted the fact that Yeshua was indeed the Messiah and they were joined to that group of 120. We don't know how many people went on home to their own city and country and how many stayed for a while in Jerusalem but there was a real need for food and a place to stay. We read later in Acts 5 about people selling property and giving the proceeds to the Apostles for distribution. We read in chapter 6 about distribution of food. Chapter 6 is believed to have taken place in the spring of AD 31 before the harvest when prices were high.
When we read about the Gospel going to Samaria ( Acts 8) and later to Gentiles through Paul's ministry, there is no mention of communal living. |
Yes, that makes sense. Thanks, Sam, it puts another light on it.
I had no idea that Jerusalem had 50.000 people at that time.
I pictured it as a small town of around 3000.
Two million visitors would certainly put pressure on food supplies, etc.