The Early Church Meeting Human Needs

Acts 4:32-35; 6:1-7

GOLDEN TEXT: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul.”—Acts 1:32

THE opening verses of today’s lesson are, so far as we know, the first recorded account of an experiment in Communism. We are told that the disciples had all things in common. However, despite the common interest which the entire church had in Christ and the glorious Gospel of the Kingdom centered in Him, and despite also the fact that the sweet influence of the holy Spirit was continuously brooding over the fully consecrated of that day, this experiment in Communism failed. In Acts 6, verse 1, we are told of a murmuring which arose among the disciples because some felt that partiality was being shown. To possess all things in common was an idealism which even the followers of the Master did not find practical, clue to the ingrained selfishness of fallen man.

There is another side to the lesson, however, which is significant; namely, that the spirit of unity in the early Church pertaining to the things of God, rendered those early believers powerful witnesses for the truth. In unity there is strength, and doubtless it was the whole-hearted manner in which the believers of the early church supported the inspired apostles in their ministry, which accounted in no small measure for the “great power” which they were able to exercise in bearing “witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”

Another thought is also suggested in the lesson, which is that the effort to own all things in common made available in abundance the necessary resources which enabled the apostles to extend the ministry to other spiritually hungry heads and hearts. This spirit of sacrifice which prompts the Christian to give up earthly advantages in order that his own spiritual interests, as well as the spiritual interests of others, may be forwarded, has been characteristic of all the true footstep followers of the Master from Jesus’ day until the present time.

There is no Scriptural authority to indicate that Christians should be Communistic in the handling of their material necessities. The Scriptures do show, however, that it is the Christian’s privilege, as an individual, to sacrifice time, talents, and substance in order that he may be in a position to help to promote the Gospel of the Kingdom, thus extending spiritual blessings to those who have the hearing ear. While Christians are not to be Communists in their relationship to each other, yet they are to feel a sense of responsibility in connection with the needs of the church, both temporally and spiritually. Because of the murmurings that arose in the early church, the apostles instructed that special provision should be made by which the material needs of the group would he given consideration and equitable distribution made to supply the common need of all.

As a result of these apostolic instructions, deacons were nominated and elected. These were not elected to serve the church in spiritual matters, but the fact of their election to serve with respect to the material things of the congregation did not bar them from the opportunity of hearing witness to the truth, when opportunity presented itself.

All consecrated Christians are anointed by the holy Spirit to proclaim the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom as they have or can make opportunity. All should endeavor to be faithful in discharging the responsibilities thus imposed upon them by the anointing of the Spirit. When it comes to regular meetings of the congregation, however, all the Lord’s people should recognize that there is a divine law or order which should prevail and that this arrangement calls for the appointment of elders to serve in spiritual things and deacons to serve in material things. An observance of this order will be a great blessing to the congregation.

QUESTIONS:

Did God authorize the institution of Communism in the early church?

Are Christians to recognize a responsibility toward each other in both temporal and spiritual matters?

Does the fact that one is appointed to serve as a deacon bar him from the privilege of bearing witness to the truth as he has opportunity?

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