Chapter 10
E10 Lifestyles and Clean Living
Acts 4:32-37, 5:1-12
The Daily ministry of the church after the empowering work of the Holy Spirit has resulted in tremendous growth in the number of believers. One hundred and twenty believers, trained by Jesus, have the responsibility of ‘assimilating’ all of these newcomers. The twelve Apostles have the responsibility of deciding the best way to do this and to oversee it all.But we read that all of the local newcomers have made the complete turnaround from having been antagonistic against Jesus to now being totally and completely devoted followers of Him.
32 ¶ And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:
One heart and one soul. What a wonderful description of unity in the church.
32 ¶ Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
We are hearing rumblings about a coming ‘Great Reset’ after which none of us will possess anything but we will all be happy.
This young church certainly seemed happy. ‘Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own’. They shared ‘all things in common’. Everyone was equal. Even the leaders.
Why don’t we give this a try in our churches?
There are a number of Christian groups who actually have tried it … are still doing it actually.
In the example here in the book of Acts, nothing is said to indicate that they were practicing ‘communal living’ in the geographical sense. In other words, it does not appear that the group purchased a large plot of land for everyone to live together. Nothing at all is said about their personal living situations.
The visitors who had come from afar for the day of Pentecost would have needed a place to lay their heads. Perhaps some families brought tenting equipment, some planned to use the local inns, others perhaps stayed with relatives until the holiday was over.
But when a large number of the visiting Jews became believers in Jesus on the day of Pentecost and decided to stay permanently in Jerusalem, they would have to make permanent living arrangements. Some most likely would have stayed with the local Christians.
How many local Christians were there at the time? We know that there were 120 in the upper room on the Day of Pentescost. But we also know that most of them had homes in the Galilee area to the north. Therefore most of the 120 were actually visitors in Jerusalem.
The ratio of available homes would be less than 120 to 3000. However, not all of the 3000 were from abroad. As Peter preached to the locals, a large number of them became believers. So, if a thousand local people became believers, that might have added 500 or so homes in which to billet a couple of thousand people from Asia minor.
I can envision very seriously crowded, cramped living accommodations. Were they living communally?
I asked the question, Why don’t we give this a try in our churches?
Looking back a bit over history, we discover that various Christians have tried to live like these new believers in the book of Acts. Various arrangements have been decided. For example, one method is for everyone to live together in one huge geographical area or farm. Others have pooled all their resources and actually own nothing. And some have adopted a uniform dress style that causes them to stand out from all of the non christians around them.
And of course, this brings to mind that some of them are looked on as being some kind of a ‘cult’, following a particular leader.
Leaving the ‘cults’ out of the picture, the Christian communal groups of our present time are quite varied. Originally most of them were Anabaptists and they have retained some of the main teachings of the Anabaptists. They have also retained the particular language spoken in the area from which they have migrated.
But, many years ago, having followed a particular popular leader, they ended up with various differences in practice.
Some of these leaders were Meno Simon, Jakob Hutter, and Jakob Ammonn. The followers developed into denominations named after their leaders.
Based on several scripture passages, these groups became totally separate from the neighborhoods in which they lived.
The group founded by Jakob Hutter (Hutterites) is based on this verse: they were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
The members of this group do not have any personal income at all. All property is owned by the commune (church). Each person is expected to work for the good of the commune. Members of the commune receive only a small allowance for personal necessities. In spite of that, they seem to be very industrious workers. *
The followers of Jakob Ammonn (Amish) are held together by their ‘take’ on these scriptures: John 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
And then especially based on this verse:
1John 2:16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.
The Amish do not have ‘all things in common’. Each family earns their own living and owns their own farms, but, in accordance with the beliefs of their church, no one can remain a member of the church if they use modern technology of any kind.
They also teach that they must remain physically disconnected from their worldly neighborhood. Therefore they have no physical wires connecting them, such as phones or electricity. *
I will mention one other group, ‘Old Colony’ Mennonites. In this case, each family owns their own farm and equipment and lives relatively close to one another, but they do allow for the use of modern equipment and transportation, provided it is used in a way that does not promote pride.
To a certain degree, all of these groups are trying to live out the example that they see here in the book of Acts.
Their interpretation of the phrase, not of this world- has included style of dress, wearing of beards, transportation, real estate, farming equipment, language etc. Most of these things are not addressed or even seen here in the book of Acts.
How is communal living working for these Christians? I suppose we could say each has its values and strong points. But there is one area that is really not working at all. And that is the growth of the church by sharing the gospel to the sinners on the outside of the church. These communal churches are basically growing from the ‘inside’.
If an outsider, by some way or another, finds themselves wanting to join the group, it is much more complicated than to simply trust Christ as Saviour and Lord. It would mean either learning the foreign (usually a form of German or Russian) language, and if not, always feel that you are not completely a part of their group.
In the case of the Hutterites it would also mean disposing of all your possessions. In the case of the Amish it would mean being always looked at as one of the outsiders. The ‘in’ group would have a shared history and large family connections that the newcomer would never have.
For reasons like this, as far as spreading the gospel is concerned … it simply does not work. And yet, the group about which we are reading in the Book of Acts is not noted only for pooling all their possessions, but the biggest thing to notice is their growth in numbers of new people. Any of these communal groups I have mentioned grow mainly by producing offspring and not by reaching outsiders for Christ.
What about growth in the church in our present day? We are not doing that much better than the ‘communal’ Christians when it comes to leading people to faith in Christ. However, when a church is forced to operate ‘underground’ because of persecution, they tend to flourish tremendously.
So in the Book of Acts, as the church had all things in common, this did not change their language, their method of transportation, their style of clothing, or their physical community. As far as we can see, even though a family ‘owned’ a house, no one said that any of the things he possessed was his own,
So families would have crowded together into the available homes. This would have become a lot easier after the ‘5000’ new additions that we have just read about. These would all be local people who had homes right in the city of Jerusalem.
And so without the use of church buildings, ministry continued. We read,
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
Daily ministry continued, and likely the result was more and more growth. The excitement would have been seen by everyone. Great grace … the favor of God, was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
So far, this non-ownership of personal possessions seems to be working. And the apostles are in charge. It is hard to imagine the magnitude of this operation. An incredible amount of organization has to go into making this all work.
Next we are given a closer look at how this all developed.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
This may be a bit of a ‘back-track’. It may be that Luke has ‘rewound’ and is going back to how this all started. So Barnabus may be the one who initiated this.
We have no details on his leaving Jerusalem after Pentecost, going back home to Cyprus, selling his home there, and then traveling back to Jerusalem. But somehow all of that has to fit in here.
This may be the first large sum of ‘cash’ that the apostles were given to use in taking care of the needs that would show up in a new, huge congregation.
Nothing more seems to be said about Barnabas. It seems to be an important part of the story, in order that Luke could mention what comes next.
We read, 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas started the ball rolling. Everyone else began following suit. It looks like this is the only couple who had any doubts about having everything in common. Maybe Ananias had an accountant’s brain. He tried to think it through. Conversing with his wife about it, they came up with an idea.
On the one hand, if they were to ‘give it all’ to the church and have all things in common, eventually the needs of the people would outweigh the income and the church would end up with a lot of poor people.
Being poor and broke was something Annanias and Sapphira were trying to avoid.
On the other hand, if they were not to follow the example of the others, what would people think of them?
A perfect, logical solution seemed to be for them to keep part of the money to fall back on if they had to. So they sold the property and brought a lump sum of cash to the apostles. Their action implied that the gift was the total amount that they had received. Apparently they actually told the apostles how much they got for the property.
3. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
As far as I can tell, God told Peter that this gift, which was announced as if it were the total sale price of their property, was not the whole amount, in other words, Ananias has lied to the church … lied to God.
Peter explains that there would have been nothing wrong with giving just a part of it, maybe even the biggest part of it, as long as they had not tried to pass it off as having been the total sale price. The size of the gift, or the fact that people were giving the whole amount of their sales was not as important as honesty.
The church is the Lord’s bride. Up to now, she, the church, was looking pretty good. They were united, loving, and generous. They were joyful. But suddenly the bride has a blemish. This beautiful bride is no longer spotless. And we read,
5. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
The spot has been removed. Did Peter expect God to do this? We might think, perhaps Ananias just had a heart attack. It could have been brought on by the terrible stress in having been found out.
The Apostle Paul writes,
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Jesus’ will is to purify His bride by washing her in His word. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, He purified the church by just cutting out the blemish.
Next we read … 7. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
She tells the same lie.
9. Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Yes, as far as we know. But God removed them from His church on earth. Most likely they arrived in Heaven. Perhaps just a little embarrassed?
It is important to note that God did not kill Ananias and Sapphira for holding back some of the proceeds of the sale. He killed them for lying. God hates lying. God is totally ‘Truth’. Satan became, and still is, the father of lies.
Here is a question related to the church sharing everything in common … Did God ‘lead’ the church into the process of sharing all things in common? The answer is No. If God had instructed them to share everything equally, then He would have killed Ananias for disobedience. Since nothing is mentioned about disobedience we conclude that the sin for which God ‘called him home to heaven’ was lying.
Here, in the Book of Acts, God has cleaned up His church. When sin is not cleaned up it affects the whole congregation. The blessing and the power of God are what makes the church effective in the world. Do you remember the old Testament story of the battle of AI?
After the Jews had spent 40 years living and wandering about the desert, the time arrived for them to finally re-try entering into the promised land. God promised to ‘fight for them’.
As they came up to the first city, Jerico, God told them exactly what to do. They would not have to use a single weapon. They were to march around the city once a day for a week. On the seventh day they would march around it seven times. But God gave them a particular instruction … When the city falls, do not take anything for yourselves. God was to be their supplier. The temptation to ‘take’ something would be great.
One man yielded to the temptation and took some things and hid them in his tent.
There they were, the people of Israel, in a new land, with a new start, a holy people. But after this man took something against God’s clear instructions … Israel was no longer a totally obedient nation. There was sin in the camp.
How did ‘sin in the camp’ affect the nation as a whole? As they went to take city number two, everything backfired and God did not show his power at all.
At God’s instruction, the sinner and his family were removed from the people. Only then did Israel operate under the power of God once more.
God removed the sinners from the early church and the ministry of the church continued to flourish.
12. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
We can only imagine what the power of God would look like in our church when we are all together in one place in complete agreement and consecration to God.
That time is coming before the return of Christ. We are told in scripture, we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 3:3-4
We are not experiencing tribulation at all in this country. But it is coming.
Mt 24:21 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Satan will attack the church like never before. God will pour out judgment on the Devil’s kingdom like never before. The conflict will be huge, but believers will get the victory … even if it means to have this kind of a victory;
Re 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
The blemishes and the spots will be washed by Jesus and His word.
Since we know that purity in the church is His will …, what steps can you take to ‘cleanse’ your personal life, habits, practices and thoughts?
And as we watch and wait for His return, when we actually do see the day approaching, what style of living can you (we) adopt that would accommodate others in the body of Christ and come closer to our believing and saying that none of the things he possessed was his own?
Summary - How is communal living working? The bigger and more important question, how does evangelism occur?
32 ¶ And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:
One heart and one soul. What a wonderful description of unity in the church.
32 ¶ Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
We are hearing rumblings about a coming ‘Great Reset’ after which none of us will possess anything but we will all be happy.
This young church certainly seemed happy. ‘Neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own’. They shared ‘all things in common’. Everyone was equal. Even the leaders.
Why don’t we give this a try in our churches?
There are a number of Christian groups who actually have tried it … are still doing it actually.
In the example here in the book of Acts, nothing is said to indicate that they were practicing ‘communal living’ in the geographical sense. In other words, it does not appear that the group purchased a large plot of land for everyone to live together. Nothing at all is said about their personal living situations.
The visitors who had come from afar for the day of Pentecost would have needed a place to lay their heads. Perhaps some families brought tenting equipment, some planned to use the local inns, others perhaps stayed with relatives until the holiday was over.
But when a large number of the visiting Jews became believers in Jesus on the day of Pentecost and decided to stay permanently in Jerusalem, they would have to make permanent living arrangements. Some most likely would have stayed with the local Christians.
How many local Christians were there at the time? We know that there were 120 in the upper room on the Day of Pentescost. But we also know that most of them had homes in the Galilee area to the north. Therefore most of the 120 were actually visitors in Jerusalem.
The ratio of available homes would be less than 120 to 3000. However, not all of the 3000 were from abroad. As Peter preached to the locals, a large number of them became believers. So, if a thousand local people became believers, that might have added 500 or so homes in which to billet a couple of thousand people from Asia minor.
I can envision very seriously crowded, cramped living accommodations. Were they living communally?
I asked the question, Why don’t we give this a try in our churches?
Looking back a bit over history, we discover that various Christians have tried to live like these new believers in the book of Acts. Various arrangements have been decided. For example, one method is for everyone to live together in one huge geographical area or farm. Others have pooled all their resources and actually own nothing. And some have adopted a uniform dress style that causes them to stand out from all of the non christians around them.
And of course, this brings to mind that some of them are looked on as being some kind of a ‘cult’, following a particular leader.
Leaving the ‘cults’ out of the picture, the Christian communal groups of our present time are quite varied. Originally most of them were Anabaptists and they have retained some of the main teachings of the Anabaptists. They have also retained the particular language spoken in the area from which they have migrated.
But, many years ago, having followed a particular popular leader, they ended up with various differences in practice.
Some of these leaders were Meno Simon, Jakob Hutter, and Jakob Ammonn. The followers developed into denominations named after their leaders.
Based on several scripture passages, these groups became totally separate from the neighborhoods in which they lived.
The group founded by Jakob Hutter (Hutterites) is based on this verse: they were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
The members of this group do not have any personal income at all. All property is owned by the commune (church). Each person is expected to work for the good of the commune. Members of the commune receive only a small allowance for personal necessities. In spite of that, they seem to be very industrious workers. *
The followers of Jakob Ammonn (Amish) are held together by their ‘take’ on these scriptures: John 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
And then especially based on this verse:
1John 2:16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.
The Amish do not have ‘all things in common’. Each family earns their own living and owns their own farms, but, in accordance with the beliefs of their church, no one can remain a member of the church if they use modern technology of any kind.
They also teach that they must remain physically disconnected from their worldly neighborhood. Therefore they have no physical wires connecting them, such as phones or electricity. *
I will mention one other group, ‘Old Colony’ Mennonites. In this case, each family owns their own farm and equipment and lives relatively close to one another, but they do allow for the use of modern equipment and transportation, provided it is used in a way that does not promote pride.
To a certain degree, all of these groups are trying to live out the example that they see here in the book of Acts.
Their interpretation of the phrase, not of this world- has included style of dress, wearing of beards, transportation, real estate, farming equipment, language etc. Most of these things are not addressed or even seen here in the book of Acts.
How is communal living working for these Christians? I suppose we could say each has its values and strong points. But there is one area that is really not working at all. And that is the growth of the church by sharing the gospel to the sinners on the outside of the church. These communal churches are basically growing from the ‘inside’.
If an outsider, by some way or another, finds themselves wanting to join the group, it is much more complicated than to simply trust Christ as Saviour and Lord. It would mean either learning the foreign (usually a form of German or Russian) language, and if not, always feel that you are not completely a part of their group.
In the case of the Hutterites it would also mean disposing of all your possessions. In the case of the Amish it would mean being always looked at as one of the outsiders. The ‘in’ group would have a shared history and large family connections that the newcomer would never have.
For reasons like this, as far as spreading the gospel is concerned … it simply does not work. And yet, the group about which we are reading in the Book of Acts is not noted only for pooling all their possessions, but the biggest thing to notice is their growth in numbers of new people. Any of these communal groups I have mentioned grow mainly by producing offspring and not by reaching outsiders for Christ.
What about growth in the church in our present day? We are not doing that much better than the ‘communal’ Christians when it comes to leading people to faith in Christ. However, when a church is forced to operate ‘underground’ because of persecution, they tend to flourish tremendously.
So in the Book of Acts, as the church had all things in common, this did not change their language, their method of transportation, their style of clothing, or their physical community. As far as we can see, even though a family ‘owned’ a house, no one said that any of the things he possessed was his own,
So families would have crowded together into the available homes. This would have become a lot easier after the ‘5000’ new additions that we have just read about. These would all be local people who had homes right in the city of Jerusalem.
And so without the use of church buildings, ministry continued. We read,
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
Daily ministry continued, and likely the result was more and more growth. The excitement would have been seen by everyone. Great grace … the favor of God, was upon them all.
34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
So far, this non-ownership of personal possessions seems to be working. And the apostles are in charge. It is hard to imagine the magnitude of this operation. An incredible amount of organization has to go into making this all work.
Next we are given a closer look at how this all developed.
36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,
37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
This may be a bit of a ‘back-track’. It may be that Luke has ‘rewound’ and is going back to how this all started. So Barnabus may be the one who initiated this.
We have no details on his leaving Jerusalem after Pentecost, going back home to Cyprus, selling his home there, and then traveling back to Jerusalem. But somehow all of that has to fit in here.
This may be the first large sum of ‘cash’ that the apostles were given to use in taking care of the needs that would show up in a new, huge congregation.
Nothing more seems to be said about Barnabas. It seems to be an important part of the story, in order that Luke could mention what comes next.
We read, 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Barnabas started the ball rolling. Everyone else began following suit. It looks like this is the only couple who had any doubts about having everything in common. Maybe Ananias had an accountant’s brain. He tried to think it through. Conversing with his wife about it, they came up with an idea.
On the one hand, if they were to ‘give it all’ to the church and have all things in common, eventually the needs of the people would outweigh the income and the church would end up with a lot of poor people.
Being poor and broke was something Annanias and Sapphira were trying to avoid.
On the other hand, if they were not to follow the example of the others, what would people think of them?
A perfect, logical solution seemed to be for them to keep part of the money to fall back on if they had to. So they sold the property and brought a lump sum of cash to the apostles. Their action implied that the gift was the total amount that they had received. Apparently they actually told the apostles how much they got for the property.
3. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
As far as I can tell, God told Peter that this gift, which was announced as if it were the total sale price of their property, was not the whole amount, in other words, Ananias has lied to the church … lied to God.
Peter explains that there would have been nothing wrong with giving just a part of it, maybe even the biggest part of it, as long as they had not tried to pass it off as having been the total sale price. The size of the gift, or the fact that people were giving the whole amount of their sales was not as important as honesty.
The church is the Lord’s bride. Up to now, she, the church, was looking pretty good. They were united, loving, and generous. They were joyful. But suddenly the bride has a blemish. This beautiful bride is no longer spotless. And we read,
5. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
The spot has been removed. Did Peter expect God to do this? We might think, perhaps Ananias just had a heart attack. It could have been brought on by the terrible stress in having been found out.
The Apostle Paul writes,
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Jesus’ will is to purify His bride by washing her in His word. In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, He purified the church by just cutting out the blemish.
Next we read … 7. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
She tells the same lie.
9. Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Yes, as far as we know. But God removed them from His church on earth. Most likely they arrived in Heaven. Perhaps just a little embarrassed?
It is important to note that God did not kill Ananias and Sapphira for holding back some of the proceeds of the sale. He killed them for lying. God hates lying. God is totally ‘Truth’. Satan became, and still is, the father of lies.
Here is a question related to the church sharing everything in common … Did God ‘lead’ the church into the process of sharing all things in common? The answer is No. If God had instructed them to share everything equally, then He would have killed Ananias for disobedience. Since nothing is mentioned about disobedience we conclude that the sin for which God ‘called him home to heaven’ was lying.
Here, in the Book of Acts, God has cleaned up His church. When sin is not cleaned up it affects the whole congregation. The blessing and the power of God are what makes the church effective in the world. Do you remember the old Testament story of the battle of AI?
After the Jews had spent 40 years living and wandering about the desert, the time arrived for them to finally re-try entering into the promised land. God promised to ‘fight for them’.
As they came up to the first city, Jerico, God told them exactly what to do. They would not have to use a single weapon. They were to march around the city once a day for a week. On the seventh day they would march around it seven times. But God gave them a particular instruction … When the city falls, do not take anything for yourselves. God was to be their supplier. The temptation to ‘take’ something would be great.
One man yielded to the temptation and took some things and hid them in his tent.
There they were, the people of Israel, in a new land, with a new start, a holy people. But after this man took something against God’s clear instructions … Israel was no longer a totally obedient nation. There was sin in the camp.
How did ‘sin in the camp’ affect the nation as a whole? As they went to take city number two, everything backfired and God did not show his power at all.
At God’s instruction, the sinner and his family were removed from the people. Only then did Israel operate under the power of God once more.
God removed the sinners from the early church and the ministry of the church continued to flourish.
12. And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.
We can only imagine what the power of God would look like in our church when we are all together in one place in complete agreement and consecration to God.
That time is coming before the return of Christ. We are told in scripture, we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 3:3-4
We are not experiencing tribulation at all in this country. But it is coming.
Mt 24:21 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Satan will attack the church like never before. God will pour out judgment on the Devil’s kingdom like never before. The conflict will be huge, but believers will get the victory … even if it means to have this kind of a victory;
Re 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
The blemishes and the spots will be washed by Jesus and His word.
Since we know that purity in the church is His will …, what steps can you take to ‘cleanse’ your personal life, habits, practices and thoughts?
And as we watch and wait for His return, when we actually do see the day approaching, what style of living can you (we) adopt that would accommodate others in the body of Christ and come closer to our believing and saying that none of the things he possessed was his own?
Summary - How is communal living working? The bigger and more important question, how does evangelism occur?