Controversy or Opportunity?
Does Acts 2 Promote Socialism? Today’s post has the potential to be controversial. But I hope you will hear me out and prayerfully consider your stance before reacting. I have been re-learning for years how to allow those I may disagree with to challenge the foundation of what I believe. And to not come to a hasty conclusion, but to let it simmer.
There are people in this country who genuinely care about the needs of others being met. They think the church has failed to meet those needs. Are they right? What I question is whether or not the government should step in to meet the needs if the Church fails to do their responsibility.
The First Holy Spirit Missionary Church
As I continue in my reflections of Acts 2, I saved the end of the chapter because I have a lot of thoughts about it. Particularly what the church should look like. John Stott’s commentary on Acts has influenced my thinking on this subject and he said the Holy Spirit is a missionary Spirit who created a missionary Church.
So I started calling the believers who came together after the Holy Spirit rained down on Pentecost– The First Holy Spirit Missionary Church.
The Church began when God called Abraham but here in Acts is when the remnant of God’s people became the Spirit filled body of Christ.
Acts 2:42-47 gives us a picture of what this church looked like. And I think it is a glimpse of heaven that our hearts crave.
Devotion Matters
The 3,000 souls that were added to the apostles and the 120 that had initially received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, -stuck around. They not only stuck around, but they devoted themselves – steadfastly persevering and insisting on staying close to sound biblical teaching from the apostles, to doing life together, to a common meal (which also included the Lord’s Supper at times), and to praying together.
Did you catch what it means to devote yourself to something? – steadfastly persevering and insisting on staying close to someone in faithfulness.
Being devoted is important, but so is what you are devoted to!
Beautiful Harmony
Awe and reverential fear came on every soul as they saw many miracles performed by the apostles. These miracles authenticated what they were teaching. Everyone who believed – who adhered to, relied on, and trusted in this teaching, -had all things in common in wonderful harmony.
Listen to what they were doing!
- Selling their possessions and belongings
- Distributing the proceeds to all – as any had need
- Daily attending the temple together, united in purpose
- Then going to their homes for a common meal, receiving their food with glad and generous hearts
- Praising God together with a sense of goodwill, as God showed favor on them.
Do our churches look like this today? If not, why not?
Do you think more or less people would want to come if church looked like this?
Thinking about the beautiful simplicity of it is attractive enough. So what gets in the way of us living like this?
Sin Gets in the Way
One word – SIN. Sin keeps us from allowing the Holy Spirit to freely reign in our hearts and then in our churches.
I wonder if some of you immediately start thinking about all the reasons why this won’t work today – how impractical it is, that it was a one-time thing to start the NT church, and maybe you start jumping to what it’s not saying.
So let’s just get that out of the way.
What Acts 2:42-47 is NOT saying?
- It’s not saying private property is forbidden. We know this because they met in people’s homes after worshipping at the temple.
Some people came from far away for Pentecost and got saved and then stayed in and around Jerusalem. And those who lived close, welcomed them in their homes and sold stuff so they all had what they needed to live. It’s not a stretch to think they figured out their new jobs and housing in time, as God showed them favor with new opportunities.
- The second thing It’s not saying is that generosity is involuntary.
Generosity is called for and commendable, but not involuntary. If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are going to be generous. You are going to pull the resources God gave you together for the common good. God owns everything and expects His people to be good stewards of what He has given to advance His Kingdom.
Destitute brothers and sisters is a standing rebuke to us who are more affluent. Think about that.
Our destitute brothers and sisters in the church is a standing rebuke to us who are more affluent.
- It’s not saying everything must be compulsively divided equally.
But how should we as Spirit filled believers try to alleviate need and abolish poverty in the community of Jesus? I am honestly not sure how to abolish world hunger. But I can tell you what generosity looks like in a small group of like-minded believers.
I go to a fairly large church where about 1,000 people come every week to worship. We have a pastor who faithfully feeds us God’s Word as he shows a picture of speaking Truth in Love, giving a correct representation of what God’s character looks like. We have different ministries that reach out and invite the community to come in.
There are a lot of different socio-economic classes represented.
If someone needs a bag of groceries or help with heir light bill, there are resources that are pooled together and made available.
Good Old Fashioned Sunday School is a Good Model
But the example I am referring to comes from a smaller group than that. I am talking about our good old-fashioned SS class.
Sunday School is pushed at our church and all members are encouraged to find a group they can do life with. That they can Acts 2:42 with.
When we get to know one another in this environment, and share our joys and sorrows and needs, the spirit of generosity is present. I have many generous friends and family, but I have never been a part of such a generous group of people as this – that purposes as a group to pool their resources together for the common good – so everyone has what they need.
We have purchased appliances and furniture, shared many meals together, bought groceries, did yard work for widows, Christmas gifts for orphans, so much prayer for one another, visiting one another who are in the hospital, grieving together, getting together to study the Bible, going to shows together, and it goes on and on. If anyone has a need and shares it, the class is going to figure out how to meet it.
The sharing of it is obviously a crucial component. We are motivated to be generous because we know and love one another and we hate to see one of us in need. We cannot stand by and do nothing. We love each other and want to live life together.
I think this is a microcosm of what Acts 2:42 looks like. To live in wonderful harmony, pool our resources together, and trust those who are leading the efforts to distribute the proceeds as any have needs.
Eric and I just recently stopped being the teachers of this beautiful class as the Lord is showing us other opportunities for ministry, but we are still a part of its community and others have stepped up to fill certain roles.
- It is NOT a call for socialism.
Along these same lines of voluntary giving, this passage is not saying the church should demand we give so that everyone has the same amount.
But I can see how people think socialism is an acceptable form of government. I know that’s a big butt and I don’t want to lose you, so let me be clear – I am not calling for socialism nor do I think this passage is calling for a public form of government known as socialism.
It’s not about having the same amount. It is about needs being met by those who are Spirit led to be generous. If the Holy Spirit is in you, you will be led to be generous. This is the Spirit of Christ prompting you. You will care for the needs of others. If you do not have that kind of heart…it’s not for me to question your salvation, but I may wonder if you are filled with the Spirit.
Let me repeat my earlier statement for emphasis….It’s not about having the same amount. It’s about needs being met by those who are Spirit led to be generous.
There are people in this country who genuinely care about the needs of others being met. I started the post with this. They think the church has failed to meet those needs and in part, they are right. What I question is whether or not the government should step in to meet the needs or is it the responsibility of the church?
Is it possible the answer is yes. Yes to both. Yes to the church. Yes to the government. What I mean by that is the government should not do sooo much that churches no longer have the desire or means to meet needs. But if churches lack the resources or willingness to meet all needs, needs not desires, I am okay with some government assistance for a time -a time, not a generation. This would not be necessary if there was no sin.
Will Free Enterprise Still Work?
I grew up believing Free enterprise works because it takes into account greed and hard work. My dad took me to hear Ronald Reagan speak when I was a child. It had a profound impact. He promoted policies that encourage someone who wants to see if there’s a market for what they are selling. The consumer would decide.
Today’s capitalism does not look like Reagan’s economic policies. I have recently reconsidered why the free market is failing. Could it be there is some truth that the current administration is giving an unfair advantage to those already in power? If the government helped with real needs but then let go of control, I think the free market could still work. But how do we get back to that when greed seems to get in the way?
The First Holy Spirit Missionary Church thrived because there was no greed and no lack of motivation to work. Everyone gave and served in abundance, trying to outdo one another in a spirit of love and gratitude for what they had just been blessed with – the outpouring of the Holy Spirit!
The church grew because people liked what they saw and as they came, God added those who were being saved. God did the saving and the giving of the resources to meet the needs and those with generous hearts praised Him. That’s what’s missing if churches allow the government to meet all of the needs.
And that just brings up more questions. What should be done if churches continue to fail to meet needs? Who gets to decide what constitutes failure? Should the needs of church members be considered over someone wandering in off the street?
I don’t have all of these answers. But I know the One who does and it just further emphasizes the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, who will give wisdom to any who asks for it.
Not All Generosity is Based on Money
I want to continue to develop the concept of generosity by considering not all generosity is based on money and not all needs are physical.
Should I not have compassion to meet needs of the soul and spirt as well? They present themselves as anxiety, fear, and agitation.
Consider a Soft Answer
When communicating with someone who is agitated, a soft answer can diffuse the bomb that may be about to explode. A soft answer will have its way so a real conversation can begin where the Holy Spirit can work in our hearts and minds. That’s a better way to get someone to see your way of thinking. Because you aren’t really the One doing the convincing.
I have found this works in all relationships. Spouse, children, parents, siblings, friends, coworkers, enemies or frenemies. It is not the most obvious thing to do because it is contrary to what we want to do. Instead of reacting in anger, I can choose to take a cleansing breath (not an obvious exasperation but just a quick mind clearing in and out) and then purpose to speak with gentleness.
The times I am not behaving this way, show I am not filled with the Spirit. Even though He is there, if I am not nurturing His presence, it can be hard to hear Him speaking. I have been learning how to hear the Holy Spirit and I do not want to go back to not being able to hear Him, to not being able to sense the nudges are really Him.
What I Practice
This is what I have been practicing:
Every morning I get up, I get my coffee, and I head to the back porch with my bible and journal – okay it’s my phone with the bible app, but you understand.
I sit down and still myself, taking a deep breath in and slowly releasing it. Sometimes several times – as many times as it takes for me to be still and quiet, asking the Lord to meet with me. Asking Him to help me focus on Him as I am about to read His Word. Then I read and write some things in my journal, all the while asking Him to speak to me, to teach me as I listen.
There are times I get so distracted. But I keep at it. And I ask the Lord to recenter my focus. The Holy Spirit is the Lord’s Spirit. I am leaning on His Spirit to recenter me, not on myself. My meditation is on Him and His Words, not just anything that happens to fly through my brain.
And then, after the initial meditation and bible reading, I pray.
I start with Adoration. Adoring God based on His character. What did I just read in His Word that informs me of who He is. I praise Him for His character.
Then I move to confession. I ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind sins that have no business in my heart. He actually does this all day -if I am listening and leaning in to Him. But I also use this time to encourage ongoing fellowship.
Then I thank God with a heart of gratitude for the many blessings in my life and I try to count at least 3. What are at least 3 things I am thankful for. When I first started doing this, I struggled to come up with 3 things, but I could always be thankful for eternal life.
THEN…. I ask for something for myself or others.
I have different people I pray for every day. There are short term and long term needs on the prayer list.
I can feel a little bogged down if I think I have to be the solution to everyone’s problems. When this happens, the Holy Spirit reminds me I am not in charge. I am only being asked to do my part and He is going to tell me what my part is, so I don’t have to worry or be overwhelmed or do too much. I have to be reminded of this often.
ACTS
If this way of praying sounds familiar, you may recognize it with the acronym ACTS
Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication
The order is important as it keeps me focused on what should be priority.
Also, when I am bringing Supplications – especially physical things people have asked me to pray about, I remember they have needs of their soul and spirit as well that are impacted by their physical need.
I don’t know the purpose for their current trial. But I trust God will use it to make them more like Christ and that it won’t last forever. There will come a day when we suffer no more and we weep no more because the King has returned to set up His Kingdom. But until then, may I be found a faithful witness and keep telling my story of God’s goodness.
How to Get Started
I know this sounds like it takes me awhile. And honestly I have found myself going to bed earlier so I can get up earlier so I have more time to do this. Because it is my favorite time of the day – when the Lord meets me to break through the darkness with His glorious Light!
It’s not that I am some super Christian that is different from regular Christians.
And I didn’t wake up one day and start doing this. It has been over years of growing in the Lord.
I started with reading 5 verses a day and saying a quick prayer. It couldn’t have taken 5 minutes. And then the next day reading 5 more and the next 5 more, not really understanding what I was reading. But as I kept at it, the Holy Spirit started to help me make sense of it and sent people my way that knew more than me to help me understand. And it kept growing form there.
If you are just getting started, I would suggest you get up, do the breathing exercises until you are still and quiet before the Lord and then start reading a Psalm or part of a Psalm, whatever doesn’t feel overwhelming. Try to stick with it every day. Even if it is 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, then 15 minutes. Once you get started, and discipline yourself to keep at it, you too will get addicted to hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.
If you fall out of practice and notice you are missing this time, start again. And again. And again. As many times as it takes. It helps to have accountability with someone – a mentor, a friend, your spouse. Don’t get discouraged by lies. Satan wants to condemn you to bring you down. The Holy Spirit wants to convict you, convincing you of Truth to lift you up.
Conclusion
That brings us back to the church in Acts 2. They were completely filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit, acting under His guidance. And as they did, the Lord grew them. That’s a good example for us to follow today.
May we devote ourselves to the things that advance God’s Kingdom as the Holy Spirit guides us.
