Now the high priest rose up, and all those with him (that
is, the religious party of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.
– Acts 5:17 (NET)
The Book of Acts tells a
wonderful story. The opening chapters, especially, are fast-paced and
action-packed, detailing the movement of the Spirit of the Creator God and the
way in which the kingdom of that God (as revealed in Jesus) came to be
manifested on earth and began to spread, bringing new and renewed creation in
its inspirational wake. In chapter one, the disciples are given a promise
by Jesus, they watch Him ascend, they return to Jerusalem, and appoint another
man to take the place of Judas.
Chapter two begins in the same breath, as Pentecost brings
with it the reversal of the language confusion of the tower of Babel, with
people from many nations able to exclaim “we hear them speaking in our own
languages about the great deeds God has done!” (Acts 2:11b) With an
ironic nod to the story of the ill-fated tower and the astonishment and
confusion that no doubt took place when the languages were confounded, Luke
writes “All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, ‘What
does this mean?’” (2:12) It is upon this occasion that Peter delivers
what is looked to as the first “sermon” of the church (post earthly life of
Jesus), explaining the coming of the Spirit and the kingdom, saying “let all
the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus whom you
crucified both Lord and Christ” (2:36).
What was an immediate effect of
the announcement of the advent of the kingdom of the Creator God, as it was
ensconced within the proclamation of Jesus’ Resurrection? The author
writes: “Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous
signs came about by the apostles. All who believed were together and held
everything in common, and they began selling their property and possessions and
distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need” (2:43-45).
This was a significant mark of the worshipers of Jesus, and this significances
leads to a repetition in the fourth chapter, where one can read “The group of
those who believed were one of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of
his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. With
great power the apostles were giving testimony to the Resurrection of the Lord
Jesus, and great grace was on them all” (4:32-33).
What was the testimony to the Resurrection and the kingdom
it portended? What was the evidence of the great grace? The next
verse provides the answer: “For there was no one needy among them, because
those who were owners of land or houses were selling them and bringing the
proceeds from the sales and placing them at the apostles’ feet” (4:34-35a).
What was the purpose and result of this testifying, grace-evidencing and
manifesting activity? “The proceeds were distributed to each, as anyone
had need” (4:35). The apostles didn’t simply sit on the proceeds or allow
the proceeds to pile up, going un-used. They were distributed to each, as
anyone had need. It is key to note that the sharing of goods led to needs
of the people being met---the needs of the people being met.
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