Apostolic Christians Had All Things Common

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Sure. I think what you are describing is what they called "having all things common". No one among them any longer claimed EXCLUSIVE rights to what they owned. They were taking their excess and laying it at the feet of the Apostles where it was distributed to everyone according to their need.

Later this was taking so much time from the Apostles ministry they chose 7 men for the job. No doubt it was on a voluntary basis. People were giving as they were moved to do so.

Right. The emphasis was on the fellowship, and care for one another, and not for the building, or organization.

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

This does not seem to relate to the tithing system of men today. They think you give in order to support a Pastor and pay his staff along with keeping up payments on the building and utilities.

And yes this is much easier to do in context of real New Testament fellowship which occurred basically in homes of the people. I started out in home fellowship early on in 1975. After knowing that kind of fellowship its been hard to relate to these building Churches.

I have basically been out of that system since I left the "Apostolic" Church in 1983. Its been practically all "home church" since then.

We left the "church system" several years ago ourselves, and while at times it is a lonely journey, because the majority of people from all denominations think you are kind of crazy if you don't attend a church building, for the most part, this has been a wonderful experience for us.

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

While I don't at all think that's the complete answer to the woes of modern Churches its part of it.

No, most certainly it's not, but it would be a start.