Acts 4 does not show Communism as a holy system!
The statement that Acts 4 describes Communism is incorrect and harmful to new Christian’s curious about economic practice.
Communism is an economic system in which a centralized authority maintains and controls all wealth, with the goal of creating and maintains a classless and moneyless state where all private property is abolished and production is owned by the centralized authority.
Acts 4, and the verse you use from the NRSVUE, says: “Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
Acts 4:32-35 NRSVUE
The verse describes “Common Ownership”, a voluntary act leaving the ownership not to a centralized government, but to the Community itself. We could call this communism if the rest of the Bible did not exist.
In Acts 5, we’re told that the giving was optional when Peter confronts Ananias for lying about how much he was giving:
“with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!””
Acts 5:2-4 NRSVUE
“While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?” Thats Private ownership, which is something which Communism fights against. The problem in Acts 5:2-4 isn’t that Ananias owns private property, it’s that he sells it for the money, and only gives a portion rather than the whole, lying to God about what he was dedicating.
The motivation in Acts 4-5 was also not aligned with Communism, the people weren’t selling their goods to achieve a classless state, or for economic determinism, but to help others in need, obeying the teachings of Christ.
So, this practice in Acts 4 is not Communism; it is Consecration and Covenantal Communalism, a voluntary system which allows believers who made money through private ventures such as owning a shop, or trading resources, to devote a portion of their resources and money to helping the needy.
The Private Ownership and very small Capitalism is often supported in the Bible;
- it is a gift from God to enjoy the fruits of your labor, Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 “Likewise, all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God.”
- Inheritance is expected, Proverbs 13:22 “The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.”
- Samuel 8:10-18 Condems centralized governments which seize private property, control wealth, and tax heavily.
- Leviticus 25 talks about the Year or Jubilee; where property is not abolished and in fact grants families Permanent inheritance
The nature of the economics in Acts 4 “had all things in common” is not about Communism or any nature or modern economic system, it is about Humbling yourself to give to the needy rather than hoarding for yourself.
Which is where the Philosophy of Communitarianism comes from, the idea of a strong community balancing the economy to be fair for all people. Communitarianism is not an economic practice like communism is, but as a Philosophy it can allow the community to control the economic practice to better support the needy without destroying the gifts God wants us to have such as the fruits of our labor and private property.
The Bible is not compatible with Communism, none of the currently practiced economic systems are, because they dont value us the way Christ does. Thank you and God Bless.
