On the Acts of the Apostles

Was the early church socialistic? Acts 2:44-45, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need," is the text cited in support of a socialistic view of the church. The church was not socialistic though--the sharing was voluntary (see chapter 5)--socialism isn't. It was also limited to the city of Jerusalem, not expanding to a national or global extent, which is the end goal for socialism.

Scripture as a whole supports a system with private property and work. Although the believers in Acts sold their property, private property is compatible with scripture, in fact it is even assumed as the proper state of affairs, because it stems from our duty to work--it is a clear principle. (If you want verses for all that, look up Deut. 8 Ruth 2 Isaiah 65:21-22, Jeremiah 32:42-44, Luke 12:14-15, Eph. 4:28, Gen. 3:17-19, Prov. 14:23, Prov. 10:4-5, Gen. 1:26-30 and 2:14, Psalm 24:1, and Matt. 25.) The use of property for to serve can only occur when you privately own that property first.

 

 

Some ideas here taken from: Understanding the Times by David Noebel