Sunday: A New Kind of Community
After Jesus’ ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the group of believers grew rapidly and created the early church, a new kind of community among the followers of Jesus, and initially led by His original disciples. However, this new community was not just something that they made up among themselves; rather, it was built on the teachings and ministry of Jesus and drew on the long history of the Hebrew Scriptures and their prophets.
Read Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37. What do you identify as the key elements in these descriptions of the early church community?
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While it seems the Israelites had failed to ever fully live out the blueprint for a just and generous society, the early church community took seriously the instruction that “there need be no poor people among you” (Deut. 15:4, NIV). One of the practical expressions of their faith was sharing their material resources—even selling land and contributing the funds raised (see Acts 4:34-5:2)—to meet the needs of their fellow believers, as well as to be a blessing to those outside the fledgling community, particularly through the ministry of healing (see Acts 3:1-11, Acts 5:12-16).
Yet, this community was not a utopian society by any stretch of the imagination. As the number of believers increased, tensions grew about the administration of these resources, particularly in relation to the daily distribution of food to widows (see Acts 6:1). The disciples, who were the natural leaders of the group, wanted to focus on preaching the gospel. In order to deal with the situation at hand, they needed to do some re-organizing.
Thus, seven people were appointed to focus on the practical matters of the church community. This was perhaps the first recognition of the different ministries and abilities to be exercised in the church; at the same time, it demonstrated the importance of practical ministry for the church’s life and witness. “The same principles of piety and justice that were to guide the rulers among God’s people in the time of Moses and of David, were also to be followed by those given the oversight of the newly organized church of God in the gospel dispensation”. – Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 95.
| Try to envision what it must have been like in that early community. How can we reflect those same principles today? |
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There are some notable differences between society in New Testament times and now. In New Testament times the only welfare system was family support and so aged care, sickness and invalid care was provided by the family. I know that even today this is still true in some countries. I cannot speak about community welfare in other countries but in Australia we have a Department of Community Services that provides welfare support for those in need. While it is a valuable service and does much to alleviate the needs of those who for one reason or another fall on hard times there are still those who cannot access these services for a variety of reasons. Support is still needed even when our government provides a social welfare service.
The model of community living as described in the New Testament may not be appropriate today but the principles of support and care for one another are as relevant as ever. A grieving widow may be entitled to a widow's pension and a divorced mother may get the single parent pension but that does not replace the love, care and understanding from the community of believers. Today, in spite of all the means of communication we have at our fingertips, we live very isolated lives. Few of us know very much about our neighbours. And at the very least we can seek out those in need and provide them with the warmth of human conversation.
If you will allow me a misquote of scripture: Man does not live by income alone. And the fact that we can provide interest, understanding and social interaction to those who are provided with welfare income is filling a very real void in their lives. If you read the first few chapters of Acts see how important it was for the church members to meet and break bread together.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
They continued - It was not a evangelistic meeting when it came to an end everyone returned back to their old life style. They continued to live and dig deeper into the new found truth.
Steadfastly - Their faith was anchored on Christ. Many of us are faced with rebellious behavior because we have not transformed our heart we have a transformed behavior. Transformed behavior without the transformation of heart will always lead to rebellion. Read Acts 4
In the apostles' doctrine - We have to have unity. When Paul was challenged with the question of circumcision he could have easily defended his position by scriptures, yet he yielded himself to the counsel of Jerusalem.
To the leaders:
Led of God, but Not Infallible—We must not think, “Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.” The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light. CW 33.2
Breaking of bread - Fellowship with one another is an integral part in our growth and relationship.
Prayers - There is strength in the unified prayer. Acts 12
The result is established in Acts 2:43-47
Most of the time we are interested in the growth of our church.
Are we teaching the Word of God from the pulpit?
Is our faith anchored to Christ or behavior?
Are we led by the biblical principle?
Can we be fair and accept new truth through the scriptures?
Are we fellow-shipping to build or destroy (by gossip)?
Clock how long do we really pray vs taking prayer requests? Luke 6:12
How can we not grow if we submit ourselves to these principles.
Many Christians misunderstood the power of the early church. The church took care of their own physical and spiritual. People were loosing everything left and right because they accepted Christ.
What I found out (but not from men) is that God works in mysterious ways. He gives to people riches not for themselves only, not to be hoarders but to be used at specific times and specific reason. After many joined the church their need grew, rich and poor rubbed shoulders with each other. Those who had more or were rich sold and brought to the church so all can wear, be fed and sleep somewhere.
I will always be grateful to my SDA brothers and sisters. I was a young person who went to church most of the time. I grew up very poor, when it was time to sit my exam my mother had no money. One Adventist Sister saw me one day and asked me if I had money to pay for my exam, I told her no. She said to me she will ask the church for me (I did not know how to ask for myself). The church gave me money for my exam. I always promise Jesus to return it to help someone else although they never asked me to return it. Years later I returned it to the amount I think it was now worth. Many churches help members but as good Christians we need to return and help those in need. It might not be money, can be time, talent or opportunity.
I daily asked for the Holy Spirit guidance so I can see the needs of others. Different society has different needs but let us not close our eyes to those in our congregation. Some might be asking for brand name but give what you have. If you have voice to sing then sing.
“When selfish love of the world enters the heart, spirituality dies. The very best antidote for love of the world is the outpouring of the Spirit of God. When the love of Christ takes full possession of the heart, we shall strive to follow the example of Him for our sakes became poor, that through His poverty we might be made rich.” Ellen G. White Sabbath School Comments 3rd quarter 2019 Lesson 9, Sunday 8/25. We need to care for others in whatever they need. “The people of the world are watching us to see if our faith is exerting a sanctifying influence upon our hearts. They are quick to discern every defect in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us give them no occasions to reproach(disapprove of) our faith.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 242.
It is true that most western governments have createded a welfare safety net for the poor/infirmed/fatherless but big government is the least efficient means and the most impersonal way to accomplish this task. The money they take to do it would be better spent by individuals and/or churches. When the government takes it over, it also breaks down societies. The individual and churches come to think that the poor and fatherless are the governments problem.