2:44-45 Is not this a form of communism?
2:44-45 Is not this a form of communism?
No (CP also 4:32). What the early Christians did in the first century church had nothing in common with today's communism. The church had a spiritual basis, not materialistic. Its adherents were believers, not atheists. Its purpose was to glorify God, not to deny Him, and its giving was voluntary, not compulsory (CP 4:34-37; 5:1-4).
The community of goods in the early church in Jerusalem was only temporary during the great spiritual awakening that was taking place among the Jews. Thousands were being saved and added to the church on a daily basis (CP 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7).
The community idea was not carried on after the persecution of the church in Jerusalem and its subsequent dispersal in Ac 8 (CP Ac 8:1).
After this, special collections for poor Christians were organised (CP 1Cor 16:1-4; 2Cor 8:1 - 9:15). It should be noted here that notwithstanding there is no longer community of goods in the New Testament church as there was in Ac 2:44-45, the message of Ac 2:44-45 still holds today. No one should gather to themselves an abundance of possessions while others in the Christian community have needs to be met. God is clear on this (CP Lu 16:19-31).
This is called the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It does not teach that the rich man went to hell because he was rich and that Lazarus went to Abraham's bosom because he was poor. Neither affluence nor poverty determines our eternal state but the life we live on earth.
The rich man went to hell because his life was filled with self-centred living, not caring about others of God's children worse off than himself (CP Pr 21:13; Jas 2:13-17; 1Jn 3:16-19).