Title Acts 04:32-37
Content (Acts 4:32-37)
When the church was persecuted, they prayed to God with one heart and were filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly preached the word of God.
The following verse introduces the beautiful aspect of the early church's relationship between existence and non-existence.
1. One mind and one heart
When two or more people come together, a relationship is formed. The relationship may be an original blood relationship or a purposeful interest relationship. A blood relationship cannot be broken, but a relationship of interest can be easily broken if it is not in one's own interests.
So, what kind of relationship is the church? It is not a blood relationship or a relationship of interest. Only those who have been washed away from their sins by the blood of Jesus Christ are waiting for the return of Jesus, encouraging each other to love and good deeds. Still, it is more unbreakable than any blood relationship and has a stronger collective power than any other interest group. What makes us this way? It is the Holy Spirit.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, for there is one body and one Spirit, in the same way you were called in one hope of your calling” (Ephesians 4:3-4).
The members of the early church were all "of one mind and one accord" in the Holy Spirit. This is the true face of the church.
But what about us in reality?
A lot of dissonance arises from trying to carry out only one's will by using oneself as the central point. Now, we too must establish a gracious church with Jesus as the central point and unite in one heart and one mind.
2. Use of goods
In any age and in any society, there is a difference between the haves and the have-nots, which causes various social problems.
In communism, in order to eliminate this gap between rich and poor, the state holds all ownership and distributes it according to the needs of the people.
Developed countries are solving the problem by making good social security laws.
However, the early church did not use any coercion or decree, but rather the voluntary devotion of those who had it.
(1) Received grace: "The crowds received great favor, as the apostles testified of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power."
The crucifixion of Jesus was known to everyone living in Jerusalem. But the apostles boldly testified that Jesus died according to the Bible and rose again according to the Bible. When we became convinced that the resurrection of Jesus is ours, we received great grace and gave up our self-interest.
(2) No one said that his possessions were his own: "There was no one who said that all things were in common, and that even a little of their possessions were theirs."
God recognizes private property and says that we must not covet others' property. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions” (Exodus 20:17).
However, the early church members who received grace did not claim their wealth as their own. In other words, they knew that everything belonged to God and that they were in charge of it.
Those who know that it belongs to God do not use it indiscriminately. Manage your wealth well, thinking about where you will use it to please God.
(3) Entrusted to the apostles: Those who owned fields and houses sold them and placed them at the apostles' feet.
There are those who give alms by blowing trumpets to show condolences, but they donated them to the church because they preferred charity through the church rather than personal charity.
(4) Distribution according to need: The apostles distributed the material provided by the rich according to each person's need. So, among the early church members, there was no one who suffered from poverty.
Everything we have belongs to God. Wealthy people should give generous donations to enrich the church's finances and provide active relief in the church.
“Because the poor will never cease to exist on the earth, I command you, saying, ‘You must open your hand to your brothers in your territory, to the needy and needy’” (Deuteronomy 15:11).
“As you have opportunity, do good to all, especially to the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
“Work with your own hands, doing good, so that they may have something to give to the needy” (Ephesians 4:28).
“If anyone does not want to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
3. Barnabas
Verses 36-37 introduce Barnabas, a representative figure who consecrated his possessions. He was later sent as a missionary along with Paul.
Barnabas' original name was Joseph, and he was a Levite and was born on the island of Cyprus. The Levites originally had no private property, but after the exile, the Levites also had private property. Barnabas sold his field and dedicated it to the church.
The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas. Barnabas means authority. Through the nickname, you can guess what Barnabas is.
*Let's all achieve one accord. Let's acknowledge that our possessions belong to God and use them wisely. Be a counselor and comforter like Barnabas