Study 13. Acts 4:32-37

7. Why did the believers sell their goods to support others who were in want (see 4:32)?

They had "all things in common":(2:44)

They 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"

There as a radical sense of unity and loss of personal boundaries.

Personal transformation led to a change of social relationships

For Thought and Discussion: Besides their meetings in the temple, the early believers met in their homes for prayer, fellowship, teaching, the Lord’s Supper, and common meals (see 2:42,46). Why is eating together a support to fellowship?

Eating is a sign of trust

It is a shared activity 

It looks forward to the great feast in heaven. 

It is an intimate activity that evokes family relationships

We learn about each other's personal preferences and history

 For Thought and Discussion: Why were the early believers “filled with awe” (2:43)? Are you filled with awe, and should you be? Why or why not?

Part of that awe would have been due to the mighty works of God in their midst through the apostles. Part of that could also have been due to the transformation of lives and priorities visible to one another.

But who says 'awe' was experienced by believers and not non-believers?

For Thought and Discussion: How is your church or fellowship group like and unlike what Luke describes in 2:42-47 and 4:32-37? Are there any ways in which you would like it to change? Pray for your church, and ask God to show you anything that you can do for it.

 We are 'believers" but we do not have this sense of mutual committment and unity in fulness

For Thought and Discussion: a. In your judgment, should modern Christians all sell their property and give the proceeds to the church? Why or why not? Should some of us do this? If so, how can we know? (For example, see Luke 12:32-34; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; 9:1-15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 5:3-16.) b. Do you think the modern church should take responsibility for caring for all church members who cannot support themselves and whose family cannot support them? Why or why not? (Some of the above references may help you ground your view biblically. Has a change in culture changed the body of Christ’s obligations?)
 

Luke 12:32-34: since we have been given the kingdom we do not need to focus on earthly and temporary wealth

2 Corinthians 8:1-15. Giving is an 'act of grace' and should be an expression of the giving of ourselves to God and the genuinness of our faith. We should supply the needs of others less fortunate

2 Corinthians 9:1-15. GIving should be from willing, cheerful hearts. Our reward depends on our attitude and extent of giving.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. 1 Timothy 5:3-16.None in the church should live on charity, but should work hard,

 

The OT supports ownership of private property (Lev 25:10) and punishment for theft or damage of such (Ex 21:28-26, 22:1-15, Dt 22:1-4, 23:24-25).

•The NT states that individuals own things personally and are responsible for using them wisely.

• the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom 12:8)

•On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (1 Cor 16:2) 

•Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)

•Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.  (Eph 4:28)

 

Clearly some Christians (e.g Priscilla and Aquilla, Lydia) were wealthier than others.

Acts is a narrative passage. There is no command to hold all things in common.

"This way of putting the matter brings out the fact that the things which each person possessed evidently continued to be his own property until it was found necessary to sell them for the common good" (Marshall)

8. How was this generosity related to 4:33?

"Great power" and "great grace" was being experienced. The newness of experience of God transformed the way they lived their lives.

9. These early believers expressed their oneness—their fellowship—by taking responsibility for each other’s needs. To what extent do you believe this is a model we should follow? Explain why your view is consistent with Scripture and sensible. (Optional: See 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; 1 Timothy 5:3-16; 1 John 3:16-18.)

We are both to be generous but hardworking and not guillible.

Members of the household are to take primary responsibility for poorer members

Evidence of faith in godly behaviour is evidence of worthiness for church support.

We must not have closed hearts against needy brothers and sisters.