Acts 4:32-37; 32 Now the full number of those who believed 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. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
History has amply demonstrated that any human endeavor that rejects God’s structure and involvement has failed from the outset. That applies equally to governments, religious institutions, businesses, schools, and families. But where both the governors and the governed love God through Christ Jesus with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, and obey His non-burdensome commandments, all will have their deepest needs met, and disputes will be resolved equitably.
That sort of Utopian society seems like pie-in-the-sky, and up till now has proven to be exactly that. But such a community is possible, where every person involved carefully maintains their unique, loving, personal relationship with their Savior, loving His Word unto full obedience.
How I would love to see the twenty-first-century church function as did the first-century church, joyfully obeying Christ’s commands, with no striving for position or self-promotion. Risky? Abuse of power is the only potentially devastating danger, and with systematic, mutual accountability, no human power structure would be allowed to mature.
Socialism? NO, in the strongest terms, but community in Christ Jesus, fully committed to God’s unchangeable love.
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