All things in common

In Acts 2.41 the first church numbered 3120 souls. In Acts 2.47 Luke says the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. By Acts 4.4 the church had grown to 5000 men (literally males) plus, therefore, women and children, so at least 15,000. In Acts 5.14 we’re told more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number plus children, no doubt. Acts 6.7 says the word of God spread and the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Some reckon the Jerusalem church grew to 50-100,000. So how did a small group of Christ followers attract so many people so quickly? Well it’s important to say first of all that it’s God who gives the growth then and now – the Lord added to their number (Acts 2.47). But in Acts 2 we also see three unique and un-repeatable factors as well as some repeatable factors. So first the three unique and unrepeatable factors:

One, the Day of Pentecost itself when the new age of the Holy Spirit began. Of course, the work of the Holy Spirit and his empowering of believers continues today. Two, the preaching by the Apostles, who were eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus. Three, the early Apostolic miracles, Acts 2.43: And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles which, whatever other miracles did and may occur, were unique. Paul says, 2 Corinthians 12.12:

the signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works [so weren’t done by others].

But there were also repeatable factors that led to church growth.

First, the call to repentance and faith. Peter called on the people to (Acts 2.38):

Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Does someone need to respond to that call today? And then publicly make that commitment to Christ and be baptised or renew your vows? Secondly, the Apostles' teaching and the fellowship enjoyed by the early believers. Acts 2.42:

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship.

We may not have the Apostles themselves, with their experience of the risen Jesus or their miracles. But the essential content of their teaching is in the Bible. That’s why the Bible is so vital for teaching and for the basis of our fellowship. And, thirdly, there was prayer (Acts 2.42) & then in the first part of Acts 4, persecution, which still happens today, followed by further prayer for boldness despite the opposition, Acts 4.23-31 - prayer that focused on the greatness of God and his control over all who were opposing the gospel.

However, one other thing was also necessary back then – and is still necessary now and one which we’ll now concentrate on. The meeting of financial needs. It’s all part of fellowship (Acts 2.42); and that’s most obvious when it’s meeting individual needs, which is first mentioned in Acts 2.44-45:

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Now these verses have been misunderstood by some, which we’ll come back to later. But this loving generosity of the church to all, as any had need, was (and is) a mark of a Spirit-filled church. As a result, what did outsiders say of the early believers? 'See how these Christians love one another.' Tradition has it that when the Apostle John was so weak he could no longer preach, he used to be carried into the church at Ephesus and give a message of just three words: Love one another. And when his hearers grew tired of his message and asked him why he repeated it so often, he'd reply: "Because it's the Lord's command." Jesus said (John 13.34-35):

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

And this self-sacrificial love is so vital to our life and witness as a church. And maybe because this meeting of needs was so important it’s mentioned
again in Acts 4.32-37, a repetition that says a lot about the witness of this expression of loving fellowship to insiders and outsiders and that generosity in meeting financial needs is important in the growth of a church. So let's now also look at Acts 4.32-37, which expands on Acts 2.44-45.

1. The mindset of the believers

Acts 4.32-33:

Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Here was remarkable giving – they had everything in common. But what led to this generosity and what resulted from it? Well, what led to this generosity was the mindset of the believers. First, there was a unity of heart and soul (Acts 3.32). No church can grow if there’s significant disunity. But their unity of heart and soul led to their generous giving. Secondly, there was a mindset that meant many sat light to material possessions. Acts 4.32:

No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own.

Meaning there was a mindset of stewardship. What’s that? Well, it’s a recognition that God has given you control of the things in your possession. So you’re to steward them and not someone else. However, you’re to have a mindset that they’re not your own but God's. As God says, Psalm 50.10:

every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

So, God is the ultimate owner of all you have. You, however, are the steward. And you are to steward your possessions in accordance with God's will and purposes, not your own selfish interests. This was the mindset of these believers. And it led to them wanting to care for those in need, as Acts 4.32b says:

they had everything in common.

And the result was Acts 4.33:

With great power the Apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Do you see? This community of generous people was a great advert for the gospel, as, Acts 4.33, great grace was upon them all. Grace speaks of being positive in a God-given way. They had a God-inspired, hopeful, positive, gospel mindset. Do we, having experienced his great grace?

2. The pattern and motive for giving

Acts 4.34-35:

There was not a needy person among them, for as many were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Now some misunderstand this. This wasn’t primitive communism. You see literally they were selling, they were bringing money, they were putting it at the apostles' feet. So when you repented and were baptised, you didn't sell everything and bring the proceeds and all your savings to the church, for good and all. No! You kept control of your own property and released it when necessary. That’s clear from Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Peter says to Ananias, referring to his property (Acts 5.4):

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?

Do you see how things worked? The believers believed they were only stewards of their money and possessions. They believed their money and possessions were ultimately God’s and should be used according to his will, not according to their own selfish interests. As a result of these beliefs they were then meeting needs. A former JPC student, a believer, inspired by his current church fellowship, wanted to help meet the needs of the 8 million who struggle to put food on the table every day in the UK. He set up a charity called ‘Bankuet’ to easily and speedily provide supplies to foodbanks that were most needed, in bulk. He said, “When I started ‘Bankuet’, I prayed a very simple prayer, “God, would you use me for your glory.”” As a result of his beliefs he then, under God, met huge needs during the pandemic. How will God use you?

Today people and political parties think that what is foundational to the good of human societies aren’t beliefs but economic systems. But the Bible says, “No!” It sees healthy economies coming from a right mindset and beliefs. Where those attitudes and beliefs are wrong, you won’t get a healthy society. Economic systemss aren’t unimportant. But you will only get the economics right when you get the hearts and minds of men and women right. Society’s problems aren’t fundamentally because of this system or that. The problems come from the human heart. It is from within, out of the heart of man, says Jesus, that come…sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness (Mark 7.21-22). So to address external economic problems by changing economic systems without addressing the problems of the human heart with the gospel isn’t going to make a lasting impact. These early believers, however, got their hearts and minds right. That then led to economic needs being met. John Wesley believed that the best way to address poverty and social problems was to preach the gospel and provide good Christian education. Gospel and lift, education and lift he called it. The preaching of the Gospel is vital to changing lives and the world, the gospel of forgiveness for sin and power for new life. If you want to help the poor, yes, you must give money; yes, you must work for the right economic systems. But in the context of doing that, make sure that, like the Apostles, you give your testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Which brings us thirdly and finally to:

3. Barnabas’ example

Here’s an example of a system or pattern at work. Acts 4.36-37:

Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

What do we learn from Barnabas? First, the church needs men and women of means who will steward their wealth for the Lord and his work. Barnabas seems to have been well-off. Not only did he have some property. His family also had a large house in Jerusalem (see Acts 12.12 & Colossians 4.10). Secondly, Barnabas was sacrificial in his giving. 1 Corinthians 9.6 says that later on he had to join Paul in tent-making to support his evangelistic ministry. So by then it seems he no longer had private means. Some have said that Barnabas’ example proves that selling off property was foolish, as it would leave the Jerusalem church in a parlous financial state. But no, most of the property that was turned into cash and then used, was soon a total loss to the new owners as in AD 70 Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. So it wasn’t foolish, the early Christians got value out of their property when they could and this helped the church get going.

Thirdly, Barnabas was an encourager. His name means "son of encouragement". And the church needs Barnabases. Barnabas was positive. Now he could be so positive that when there was conflict he found it hard being in a minority of one. (Galatians 2.13) But when Paul was converted Barnabas encouraged him and helped him integrate into the Christian fellowship (Acts 9.26-27). How vital was that! Are you helping to welcome, encourage and integrate newcomers to JPC? Fourthly, Barnabas saw the importance not only of giving but also of preaching the gospel. Later Barnabas was Paul’s first missionary assistant.

But let’s not forget the wider group of Jerusalem Christians who were poorer –due to famines, opposition and so discrimination in the workplace. Yet they were generous. So they challenge us today. And remember:

a) the context for this generosity was unity of heart and soul; a lack of materialism; and believing that God owned all - we are stewards.
b) that financial systems are secondary. What you believe about money and wealth determines your generosity and your economics.
c) remember Barnabas – sacrificial, an encourager and with a heart for evangelism.