Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

COMMUNITY OF GOODS

Although not found in the NT, the expression “community of goods” is a common description of the sharing of possessions in the early Jerusalem church. According to Acts 2:44-47 the Christians lived together and shared all things in common (hápanta koiná), each having sold all personal possessions. Proceeds from the sale of property and buildings were given to the apostles for distribution among needy members (Acts 4:32-35).

Barnabas, who sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Church, serves as a positive example (Acts 4:36-37). However, the practice was not without problems. Ananias and Sapphira lied in their claim to be handing over all their possessions and were struck down by God (Acts 5:1-11). Complaints about unequal distribution of food necessitated the formation of a committee of seven overseers (Acts 6:1-6).

The existence of an actual communal group within the early Church is doubted by those who find contradictions within Luke’s account. Others suggest that Luke is simply presenting an idealized picture based on the common Greek philosophical theme of “all things common.” However, a number of commentators have suggested historical antecedents for the practice.

Some scholars look to the Rule of the Community of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which establishes how community members should share their property. Some even identify in Acts the technical terminology of property sharing as used in the Qumran text. Others look to the practice of sharing property within Essene groups (Josephus BJ 2.8.2-4), although many who assume the Qumran group were Essenes see Josephus’ description as a variation. Other scholars connect the early Christian practice with the later rabbinic account of the quppâ, a weekly collection of money for the poor residents of a town, and the tamḥūy, a daily collection of food for poor nonresidents. However, there is some question whether this was practiced in the 1st century c.e.

The practice within the early Church soon died out. There is no mention of it elsewhere in the NT, and it quickly fades from the narrative of Acts. By Acts 11:27-30 the Judean churches are impoverished and in need of outside help (cf. Paul’s collection).

Bibliography. B. J. Capper, “Community of Goods in the Early Jerusalem Church,” ANRW II.26.2, 1730-74; K. Lake, “The Communism of Acts II. and IV.-VI. and the Appointment of the Seven,” in The Beginnings of Christianity, 1: The Acts of the Apostles, ed. K. Lake and H. J. Cadbury (1933, repr. Grand Rapids, 1966), 5:140-51; D. P. Seccombe, Possessions and the Poor in Luke-Acts. Studien zum Neuen Testament und seiner Umwelt B/6 (Linz, 1982), esp. 197-222.

Richard S. Ascough

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

COMMUNITY OF GOODS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)