Apostolic Christians Had All Things Common

[Reader]

All believers everywhere during that time did not have "all things in common" so to teach this was a standard for all & today we need to do likewise is incorrect. It was among those in Jerusalem. This would have ended with the persecution in Jerusalem which scattered the believers.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Reader

All believers everywhere during that time did not have "all things in common" so to teach this was a standard for all & today we need to do likewise is incorrect. It was among those in Jerusalem. This would have ended with the persecution in Jerusalem which scattered the believers.

I have always understood it this way also. Because of their current system in Jerusalem they were free to flee Jerusalem with no strings attached when it fell. I do agree the church should be more family structured than what we sometimes are. If we see needs in the body we are obligated to one another.

If the church operated more like this it would be good. The problem is there would also be those who come in among us and would take advantage. Paul never expected one man to work so another could live off of his brethren. That is why I think giving should always be freewill. People are always the best judge of whether or not they are being taken advantage of. The church shouldn't get involved in redistributing other people's finances.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Reader

All believers everywhere during that time did not have "all things in common" so to teach this was a standard for all & today we need to do likewise is incorrect. It was among those in Jerusalem. This would have ended with the persecution in Jerusalem which scattered the believers.

Really? Perhaps at a certain point baptism in Jesus name ceased? After all we know a great majority never practiced it after a while. Same with baptism in the Spirit with tongues. It gets hard to find historically.

Does that mean its no longer in Gods design, because men dont do it?

I believe it was universally practiced by the early Church.

Here is the example.

13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 2 Cor. 8:13-15

Acts 4:32 tells us they said nothing they had was their own. That is how it works.

[Reader]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Really? Perhaps at a certain point baptism in Jesus name ceased? After all we know a great majority never practiced it after a while. Same with baptism in the Spirit with tongues. It gets hard to find historically.

Does that mean its no longer in Gods design, because men dont do it?

Yes, really. We are not speaking of other issues, just what you brought up. Please don't divert the subject.

There is no directive that this was some rule given to them. They were free to do what they wanted as is seen in the case with Ananias & Saphira (sp?). Just as people were free to give or not give to the needy in Jerusalem who lived elsewhere.

Jesus never told them to do this and the apostles never told believers to do it. If people wish to do it, and some do, that is totally up to them.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Reader

Yes, really. We are not speaking of other issues, just what you brought up. Please don't divert the subject.

There is no directive that this was some rule given to them. They were free to do what they wanted as is seen in the case with Ananias & Saphira (sp?). Just as people were free to give or not give to the needy in Jerusalem who lived elsewhere.

Jesus never told them to do this and the apostles never told believers to do it. If people wish to do it, and some do, that is totally up to them.

Do we use the book of Acts as a guideline? Yea I agree it was voluntary. It was done from love. Paul said their helping the poor saints proved the sincerity of their love. Nonetheless they were doing it.

Any comment on Pauls statement to the Corinthians?

13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. 2 Cor. 8:13-15

Todays giving centers much around a Pastors salary. The offering Paul was taking was for the poor saints.