It must have been a special time to be alive during the first years of the Church. New believers were added at an exponential rate. The Apostles continued to perform miracles. There was a sense of wonder and awe as the Holy Spirit grew the Church. This passage from the Book of Acts beautifully illustrates the actions.

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

Acts 4:32-35 (NLT)

A casual reading of this passage from the Book of Acts, may persuade some that the nascent Church was communism. Some have even dubbed this Christian communism. What is the definition of communism and socialism? Communism emerged from the socialist ideas first espoused by Thomas More and developed by others such as Karl Marx. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably. There are many definitions and the following captures the key similarities and differences.

Under communism, there is no such thing as private property. All property is communally owned, and each person receives a portion based on what they need. A strong central government—the state—controls all aspects of economic production, and provides citizens with their basic necessities, including food, housing, medical care and education. By contrast, under socialism, individuals can still own property. But industrial production, or the chief means of generating wealth, is communally owned and managed by a democratically elected government.

Source: History.com

There is also another critical difference.

Another key difference in socialism versus communism is the means of achieving them. In communism, a violent revolution in which the workers rise up against the middle and upper classes is seen as an inevitable part of achieving a pure communist state. Socialism is a less rigid, more flexible ideology. Its adherents seek change and reform, but often insist on making these changes through democratic processes within the existing social and political structure, not overthrowing that structure.

Source: History.com

The United States is a capitalist society. However, many elements of socialism have been integrated into our societal and governmental policies. The first major changes came during President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and later advanced through President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. Entities such as public water companies, public infrastructure projects such as freeways and public transit, public schools, fire departments, postal service, social security, and Medicare and Medicaid are just a few prominent examples. 

In the early Church, there was communal ownership of property. However, there was no central government forcing Christians to do this. Their actions were voluntary, motivated by love, not by coercion. It was a response to God’s grace and mercy for their own lives and others rather than an attempt to control others. It was also a very different time. The Christians lived under persecution by both the Jews and their Roman conquerors. There were unprecedented needs and Christians answered the call to care for their brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

Today’s Church can still learn from the early Church. In the United States, there is freedom of religion, but dark forces are gathering and gaining strength. Woke critics declare that Christianity is racist, misogynistic, and discriminatory. This is to be expected. Satan continues to attack the Church, seeking to undermine it from without and within. Even though he knows he has already been defeated through the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, he will not stop sowing doubt and dissent, even among believers. 

All believers in Jesus Christ must bolster their faith by declaring the power of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.