The early church as a socialist commune is the topic today, along with more on the church of Jesus Christ as an assembly of spirits. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Sunshine” (Level 6 with 12,044 points, a member since July 6, 2006) posted the following:
In the bible and the Christian religion, does Acts 4: 34,35 mean that we should live as socialists?
I do not think so, but my Bible study is having this discussion. Thank you
THE BATTLE AXE: A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013)—(5.) Those who opposed the ministry of Jesus, and demanded that he be crucified, also insisted that the Temple at Jerusalem, its law and priesthood were the highest expression of GOD for the earth. A church from GOD could only be understood as a cultural, historical, material, political and social phenomena to exalt the Jewish people above the Gentiles and heathens. (6.) Divine substance must come into view as the content of all who participate in the Church of Jesus Christ. Called the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Spirit of Truth, an imparted spirit from GOD must indwell every believer. (7.) Aspects of divinity that otherwise exist only in GOD are deposited into believers. Included are faith, holiness, humility, longsuffering, love, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. (8.) Through the Spirit from GOD, believers experience operations and processes that change their inner nature, and furthers their ability to function in agreement with Jesus. Included are baptism, meekness, rebirth, regeneration, repentance, and sanctification. (9.) In addition to comprehensiveness, the church of Jesus is described by balance, dynamism, sobriety, stability, vigilance and zeal. (10.) Denominations appear to provide institutional overlays upon the Spirit Church that promote peculiar doctrines, policies and practices intended to facilitate administration and management of congregations. For the most part, the experience of eternal life, and the spiritual “quality of life” for those in Christ remain unchanged. While attempting to portray what is acceptable to GOD, denominations tend to center upon what is more or less acceptable among men. (11.) Although denominations, cults, factions and sects introduce disciplines that serve as ceremonial law and ritual, these may not counterfeit or replace the true sacraments of the Spirit Church; and such features offer no obstacle to divine goals for diversity, dominion of faith, global presence, inclusion, religious liberty, and spiritual unity. See John 4: 22-24, Ephesians 2: 11-22, 1st Peter 2: 5-8, 1st Corinthians 1: 24 and Ephesians 4: 4-7, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12: 13-15, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Separated and Sealed? (03/29/2013); Acknowledging Divinity? (03/30/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); The Meek Will Inherit (10/16/2012); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Girdle 46: That Ye Be Likeminded (01/02/2012); Girdle 42: A Pattern To Them Hereafter (12/29/2011); Rich Yet Saved (11/11/2010); Hard to Love? (11/12/2010)
Sunshine, here are a few points to prayerfully consider:
(1.) The early church gravitated to the historical models provided by Moses and those who left Egypt. The twelve tribes were challenged to become a single people in covenant with GOD, and a unified nation before all the kingdoms of the world. The law was the primary tool for fitting their self-will to divine will, and for transforming their independence and self-awareness into interdependence and acknowledgment of collective will.
(2.) For those alive in Christ, goals of spiritual perfection are attained most readily through dependence upon divine grace, the operations of the Holy Spirit, and interdependence within a body of believers, the church. Through the church, as through ones family, believers are continually available to one another; encourage, respect and benefit from one another’s praise, prayer, study and worship; share common spiritual principles, purposes, understandings and values; and thoughtfully avoid contradictions, lapses and reversals of personal discipline.
(3.) GOD established an economy for Israel whereby a lawful and righteous distribution and ownership of property was at the core of communal living. In addition to a spiritual inheritance of covenant and worship, every legitimate child received a sure expectation of a place in decision making, defense of the larger community, and security within a commonwealth.
(4.) In agreement with changes for their spirit, Christian believers acquire a greater sense of personal accountability along with collective awareness. Believers apply their skills, fulfill their duty, exercise authority and privilege, and continually acknowledge that their own practices now carry consequences and influences for created beings, living creatures, unseen generations, and others throughout the universe of GOD.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) The church in the earth is challenged to answer all the needs of its members. As a result, issues of the flesh (appetite such as hunger, thirst, craving for sex; sensation such as seeing, hearing, tasting, touching; mental functions such as desire, fantasy, imagination, memory), and the world are continually brought against the processes of Spirit. As with most other frameworks derived from politics, socialism is not a tool of the church. In the same way there must be clear and useful mechanisms in place to administer the spiritual gifts that are commonly held property of the body, there must be devices and disciplines to ensure that all things be done “decently and in order” with regard to carnal things. See 1st Corinthians 14, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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