Common Ownership of Property
By Isaac Aluochier
COMMON OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AMONG EARLY DISCIPLES
WHY EARLY DISCIPLES SOLD THEIR SURPLUS POSSESSIONS
INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS ANSWERED
COMMON OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AMONG EARLY DISCIPLES
Acts 2: 42-47 reads, "2:42They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 2:43Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 2:44All who believed were together, and had all things common. 2:45They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 2:46Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 2:47praising the Mighty One, and having favor with all the people. Yahweh added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved."
Key Questions Pertaining to Early Disciples' Conduct
Why were all believers together?
Why did they have all things in common?
Why did they sell their possessions and goods, and distribute them to all, according as anyone had need?
The Early Disciples Were Concerned For The Needy
That the disciples distributed their possessions and goods to the needy, including also the proceeds from the sale of these possessions and goods, shows that they did indeed have a heart or concern for the needy.
Acts 4: 32-37 reads, "4:32The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. 4:33With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Master Yah'shuah. Great grace was on them all. 4:34For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 4:35and laid them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. 4:36Yosi, who by the apostles was surnamed Bar-Nabba (which is, being interpreted, Son of Exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 4:37having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet."
The Early Disciples Did Not Sell All Their Possessions
It appears from 4: 32 that individual believers continued to remain possessors of goods. Nevertheless, of what they individually possessed, they did not claim singular exclusive ownership over these. They owned them jointly.
Joint Ownership of Retained Possessions
The phraseology of 4: 32 suggests that individual believers continued to retain individual ownership of the various possessions that were previously in their possession. Nevertheless, they did not exercise their legal ownership claim over their possessions. They shared ownership of these possessions with their fellow brethren, allowing their fellow brethren equal ownership of these possessions. In other words, for all intents and purposes, ownership of the possessions legally owned by individual believers was shared among the entire body of believers! Such that other believers could use any of the possessions owned by any one of them as though they were owned by all of them, even though, legally speaking, ownership was still held by the individual believer!
4: 34 shows that some believers were owners of lands and/or houses. Those believers who owned lands or houses sold them. Seeing that 4: 32 shows that believers continued to remain possessors of goods, and had joint or common ownership of these goods that they retained, it appears that the lands or houses that were sold were surplus to the needs of those believers who so sold them. In other words, the possessions they needed they retained, and those they did not need they sold.
Early Disciples Acted As Trustees Of Property In Their Possession
It should also be noted that the proceeds of the sales of surplus property were brought to a common fund under the jurisdiction of the apostles. This fund was legally speaking jointly owned by all of the believers! The apostles were simply trustees or custodians of these funds, ensuring that the funds were utilised for the purpose of making distribution to the needy, both within and without the body of believers!
It therefore appears that essential property that was retained by the believers remained, legally speaking, under the title of the individual believers. Nevertheless, usage of essential property was such that its ownership was shared together with other believers. In other words, the believers who had title to these essential properties assumed the role of trustees or custodians on behalf of the other believers.
Non-essential property was sold, and the proceeds of the sales brought to the apostles' feet. The apostles, as trustees or custodians of these funds, saw to it that they were utilised for the purpose of making distribution to the needy.
WHY EARLY DISCIPLES SOLD THEIR SURPLUS POSSESSIONS
Mattityahu 19: 16-30 reads, "19:16Behold, one came to him and said, 'Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?'
19:17
He said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, the Mighty One. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.'19:18
He said to him, 'Which ones?'Yah'shuah said, 'You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not offer false testimony. 19:19Honor your father and mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
19:20
The young man said to him, 'All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?'19:21
Yah'shuah said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow me.' 19:22But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 19:23Yah'shuah said to his disciples, 'Most assuredly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 19:24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of the Mighty One.'19:25
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?'19:26
Yah'shuah looking and said to them, 'With men this is impossible; but with the Mighty One all things are possible.'19:27
Then Kefa answered, 'Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?'19:28
Yah'shuah said to them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Yisra'el. 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. 19:30But many will be last who are first, and first who are last.'"Love Your Neighbour As Yourself To Enter Into Life
It is clear from 19: 16-19 that to enter eternal life we must keep the commandments, which include loving our neighbours as we love ourselves.
19: 20 shows that the young man thought that he kept the commandments, including loving his neighbours as he loved himself.
Nevertheless, in 19: 21 Yah'shuah showed him that he was not loving his neighbours as he loved himself, and therefore was not perfect! To be perfect he needed to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and then follow Yah'shuah! In this manner he would be loving the poor as he loved himself, for he would be providing for their needs, just as he provided for his own needs.
Also, by so selling his possessions, he would have treasure in heaven!
Leave Everything And Follow Yah'shuah To Be Saved
19: 25-30 shows that those who will be saved are those who have left everything and followed Yah'shuah! These will indeed inherit eternal life, which is equivalent to salvation!
19: 22 shows that the young man was unwilling to leave everything and follow Yah'shuah. His heart was in his possessions, rather than in the Mighty One! It is evident that such a heart is not perfect and will not inherit eternal life!
Mattityahu 6: 19-21 reads, "6:19Don't lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal, 6:20but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal. 6:21For where your treasure is, your heart will be there also."
Serve The Mighty One And Not Mammon
Mattityahu 6: 24-34 reads, "6:24No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You can't serve both the Mighty One and Mammon. 6:25Therefore, I tell you, don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will put on. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 6:26See the birds of the sky, that they don't sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you of much more value than they? 6:27Which of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to the measure of his life? 6:28Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin, 6:29yet I tell you that even Shelomo in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 6:30But if the Mighty One so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, won't he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 6:31Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?' 6:32For the Goyim seek after all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 6:33But seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. 6:34Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient."
It should therefore be evident that those who lay up treasures here on earth, whose hearts are here on earth, rather than in heaven, serve Mammon - the treasures they lay up here on earth! They do not serve the Mighty One, for 6: 24 shows that it is impossible to serve two masters!
Seeing that such do not serve the Mighty One, in that their hearts are not in heaven, it should be evident that such will not enter into eternal life - such will not be saved! It is therefore imperative that no one lays up treasure here on earth if such a one desires salvation!
How To Lay Up Treasure In Heaven
In 19: 21 Yah'shuah showed that the manner one has treasure in heaven, the manner one serves the Mighty One, is by selling one's possessions and giving to the needy! This is loving one's neighbour as one loves oneself, thereby also showing that by loving one's neighbour as one loves oneself one is indeed serving the Mighty One!
Those Who Are Anxious For Their Physical Welfare Serve Mammon
It should also be noted from 6: 24-25 that serving mammon is equated not just to laying up treasures here on earth. Even one who is anxious for one's life, meaning what one will eat and what one will drink, and anxious for one's body, meaning what one will put on, is indeed serving Mammon! For these who are anxious indeed have their hearts here on earth, rather than in heaven!
6: 30 shows that those who are anxious about their lives and their bodies are indeed of little faith - lacking the faith essential for salvation!
To Assure Yourself Of All Your Needs
6: 31-33 shows that believers should note that their heavenly Father knows all of their needs, and will supply all of their needs, provided they seek first his kingdom and his righteousness! Therefore, by faithfully seeking after the heavenly Father's kingdom and his righteousness believers will indeed assure themselves of all of their needs. In this manner they will not be anxious about their lives and their bodies. In this manner they will not serve Mammon, but will indeed serve the Mighty One, the heavenly Father!
Mattityahu 5: 43-48 reads, "5:43You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 5:45that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 5:46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5:47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 5:48Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
It should be evident from Yah'shuah's words here that our love should not be limited only to those who are our brethren or friends. Our love should be extended to all human beings, both our friends and our enemies.
In this light it appears that the disciples, when they sold their possessions and made distribution to the needy, as shown above in Acts 2 and 4, did not limit their acts of love to fellow believers. They also, in obedience to Yah'shuah's words, performed their acts of love to non-believers!
Acts 2: 47 shows that the disciples had favour with all the people. This suggests that their acts of mercy were extended also to those who were not of their number, thereby facilitating these others treating the disciples favourably.
Love Yah'shuah More Than Other Human Beings
Mattityahu 10: 34-39 reads, "10:34Don't think that I came to send shalom on the earth. I didn't come to send shalom, but a sword. 10:35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 10:36A man's foes will be those of his own household. 10:37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. 10:38He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. 10:39He who finds his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it."
Mattityahu 22: 34-40 reads, "22:34But the Perushim, when they heard that he had put the Tzedukim to silence, gathered themselves together. 22:35One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. 22:36'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?'
22:37
Yah'shuah said to him, '"You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." 22:38This is the first and great commandment. 22:39A second likewise is this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 22:40The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.'"The Environment In Which Love Thrives
Mattityahu 24: 12 reads, "24:12Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold."
This implies that love in people's hearts thrives in an environment whereby righteousness is multiplied. Therefore, to have love in our hearts we should undertake works of righteousness and multiply those works.
Mark 10: 17-31 reads, "10:17As he was going forth into the way, one ran to him, kneeled to him, and asked him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?'
10:18
Yah'shuah said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except one -- the Mighty One. 10:19You know the commandments: "Do not murder," "Do not commit adultery," "Do not steal," "Do not give false testimony," "Do not defraud," "Honor your father and mother."'10:20
He said to him, 'Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.'10:21
Yah'shuah looking at him loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.'10:22
But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 10:23Yah'shuah looked around, and said to his disciples, 'How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of the Mighty One!'10:24
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Yah'shuah answered again, 'Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of the Mighty One! 10:25It is easier for a camel to go through the needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of the Mighty One.'10:26
They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, 'Then who can be saved?'10:27
Yah'shuah, looking at them, said, 'With men it is impossible, but not with the Mighty One, for all things are possible with the Mighty One.'10:28
Kefa began to tell him, 'Behold, we have left all, and have followed you.'10:29
Yah'shuah said, 'Most assuredly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the good news sake, 10:30but he will receive one hundred times now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. 10:31But many who are first will be last, and the last first.'"10: 21 shows that part of loving our neighbour as we love ourselves is exhorting them according to their needs, and not necessarily telling them what they want to hear, especially if what they want to hear is not in harmony with their needs! True believers and disciples of Yah'shuah should therefore tell others what is needful for them, which is not necessarily what the others desire to hear!
It should also be evident from 10: 21, and also from Mattityahu 10: 38, that taking the cross is equivalent to bearing Yah'shuah's burdens! In other words, doing what Yah'shuah tells us to do, irrespective of the consequences we experience in this age as a result of so heeding Yah'shuah!
10: 30 shows that the time for the replacement of what one gives up for Yah'shuah's sake, and for the sake of the good news, is this age - before one dies! It therefore appears that what Yah'shuah is developing in his disciples is FAITH! That they may trust his words, give up everything for his sake, and then subsequently receive from him more than what they gave up! It also appears that Yah'shuah is developing in his disciples PATIENCE! That they may learn to wait on him until it is due time before they receive due blessings from him!
Love Commandments Distinguished From Sacrificial Commandments
Mark 12: 28-34 reads, "12:28One of the Sofrim came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, 'What commandment is the greatest of all?'
12:29
Yah'shuah answered, 'The greatest is, "Hear, Yisra'el, Yahweh our Mighty One, Yahweh is one. 12:30You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the primary commandment. 12:31The second is like this, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.'12:32
The Sofer said to him, 'Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, 12:33and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.'12:34
When Yah'shuah saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of the Mighty One.'No one dared ask him any question after that."
It should be evident, with respect to commandments capable of leading one to eternal life, that love commandments are contrasted with those pertaining to "burnt offerings and sacrifices"! For when the rich young man, in Mattityahu 19: 16-19, asked Yah'shuah what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, Yah'shuah told him to keep the love commandments, especially when the young man had asked for clarification among the commandments that he was to keep. Here, in a similar situation, Yah'shuah concurred with the wisdom of the Sofer who said that love commandments were greater than those commandments pertaining to burnt offerings and sacrifices, thus showing that a distinction did indeed exist between these two types of commandments! And by elevating the love commandments above the burnt offerings and sacrificial commandments Yah'shuah commended the Sofer, telling him that he was not far from the kingdom of the Mighty One! It therefore appears that to enter the kingdom of the Mighty One it is required that one observe the love commandments! It also appears that it might not be necessary to observe the burnt offerings and sacrificial commandments in order to enter the kingdom of the Mighty One!
Be Merciful To All, Even To Your Enemies
Luke 6: 27-36 reads, "6:27But I tell you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 6:28bless them who curse you, and pray for those who insult you. 6:29To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don't withhold your coat also. 6:30Give to everyone who asks you, and don't ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
6:31
'As you desire that men should do to you, likewise do to them also. 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 6:33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 6:34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 6:35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of HaElyon; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 6:36Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful."Luke 10: 25-37 reads, "10:25Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, 'Teacher, what will I do to inherit eternal life?'
10:26
He said to him, 'What is written in the law? How do you read it?'10:27
He answered, 'You shall love Yahweh your Mighty One with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.'10:28
He said to him, 'You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.'10:29
But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Yah'shuah, 'Who is my neighbor?'10:30
Yah'shuah answered, 'A certain man was going down from Yerushalayim to Yericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 10:31By chance a certain Kohen was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 10:32In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. 10:33But a certain Shomroni, as he journeyed, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 10:34came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 10:35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, "Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return." 10:36Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?"10:37
He said, 'He who showed mercy on him.'Then Yah'shuah said to him, 'Go and do likewise.'"
Be Faithful In Unrighteous Mammon
Luke 16: 1-15 reads, "16:1He said also to his disciples, 'There was a certain rich man, who had a manager. The same was accused to him of wasting his possessions. 16:2He called him, and said to him, "What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager." 16:3The steward said within himself, "What will I do, seeing that my master is taking away the management position from me? I don't have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 16:4I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses." 16:5Calling each one of his master's debtors to him, he said to the first, "How much do you owe to my master?" 16:6He said, "A hundred batos of oil." He said to him, "Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty." 16:7Then said he to another, "How much do you owe?" He said, "A hundred cors of wheat." He said to him, "Take your bill, and write eighty." 16:8His master commended the unrighteous steward because he had done wisely, for the sons of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the sons of the light. 16:9I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents. 16:10He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is unrighteous in a very little is also unrighteous in much. 16:11If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 16:12If you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 16:13No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You aren't able to serve the Mighty One and mammon.'
16:14
The Perushim, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. 16:15He said to them, 'You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but the Mighty One knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of the Mighty One.'"16: 8 - what was the wisdom of the unrighteous steward? Recovering a portion of what was owed to his master rather than not recovering anything at all? And in the process of so doing buying himself influence among his master's debtors?
What are the "eternal tents" spoken of in 16: 9? And who is this who has them that we may make friends with by means of unrighteous mammon?
Yahchanan 3: 10-21 reads, "3:10Yah'shuah answered him, 'Are you a teacher of Yisra'el, and don't understand these things? 3:11Most assuredly I tell you, we speak that which we know, and testify of that which we have seen, and you don't receive our witness. 3:12If I told you earthly things and you don't believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 3:13No one has ascended into Heaven, but he who descended out of Heaven, the Son of Man, who is in Heaven. 3:14As Moshe lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 3:15that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 3:16For the Mighty One so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 3:17For the Mighty One didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 3:18He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn't believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only born Son of the Mighty One. 3:19This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn't come to the light, for fear that his works would be reproved. 3:21But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done with the Mighty One.'"
Yahchanan 3: 35-36 reads, "3:35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. 3:36He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who disobeys the Son won't see life, but the wrath of the Mighty One remains on him."
The implication derived from 3: 36 is that the wrath of the Mighty One is ALREADY on all human beings, and this wrath is equated with death - the absence of eternal life! And the manner to remove this wrath from hanging over one is by believing in the Son, so believing by OBEYING HIM, for those who disobey him are those who won't see life, those upon whom is the Mighty One's wrath! All human beings should therefore OBEY the Son!
To Avoid The Resurrection Of Judgement
Yahchanan 5: 19-30 reads, "5:19Yah'shuah therefore answered them, 'Most assuredly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. 5:20For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 5:21For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. 5:22For neither does the Father judge any man, but he has given all judgment to the Son, 5:23that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn't honor the Son doesn't honor the Father who sent him. 5:24Most assuredly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. 5:25Most assuredly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of the Mighty One's voice; and those who hear will live. 5:26For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. 5:27He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. 5:28Don't marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, 5:29and will come forth; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. 5:30I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don't seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.'"
It should be evident from 5: 24 that all human beings, save those who believe in the Son, are in a state whereby the death penalty or sentence hangs over them! But those who hear the Son's word, who believe him who was sent by the Father, do not have this death sentence hanging over them! They can indeed live forever, having the essence of eternal life abiding in them!
For 5: 24 indicates that those who have the death sentence hanging over them will have to undergo the "judgement" - a period of time wherein it will be determined whether or not they remain with the death sentence hanging over them, or they pass out of death into life! Therefore, the manner to so avoid undergoing the "judgement" is to believe in the Son of the Mighty One - Yah'shuah the Messiah, doing so by obeying his words, which he received from the Father!
5: 28-29 shows that the manner to avoid rising from the dead into the resurrection of judgement is to do good, for those who do good will rise into the resurrection of life! The rest will rise into the resurrection of judgement.
Yahchanan 5: 31-47 reads, "5:31If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. 5:32It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. 5:33You have sent to Yahchanan, and he has testified to the truth. 5:34But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. 5:35He was the lamp that burns and shines, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 5:36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of Yahchanan, for the works which the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. 5:37The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. 5:38You don't have his word living in you; for whom he sent, him you don't believe. 5:39You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. 5:40Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life. 5:41I don't receive glory from men. 5:42But I know you, that you don't have the Mighty One's love in yourselves. 5:43I have come in my Father's name, and you don't receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 5:44How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only Mighty One?
5:45
"Don't think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moshe, on whom you have set your hope. 5:46For if you believed Moshe, you would believe me; for he wrote about me. 5:47But if you don't believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"Yahchanan 8: 33-59 reads, "8:33They answered him, 'We are Avraham's seed, and have never yet been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, "You will be made free?"'
8:34
Yah'shuah answered them, 'Most assuredly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. 8:35A bondservant doesn't live in the house forever. A son remains forever. 8:36If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 8:37I know that you are Avraham's seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. 8:38I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.'8:39
They answered him, 'Our father is Avraham.'Yah'shuah said to them, 'If you were Avraham's children, you would do the works of Avraham. 8:40But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from the Mighty One. Avraham didn't do this. 8:41You do the works of your father.'
They said to him, 'We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, the Mighty One.' 8:42Therefore Yah'shuah said to them, 'If the Mighty One were your Father, you would love me, for I came forth and have come from the Mighty One. For neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. 8:43Why don't you understand my speech? Because you can't hear my word. 8:44You are of your father, the devil, and it is your desire to do the lusts of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. 8:45But because I tell the truth, you don't believe me. 8:46Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 8:47He who is of the Mighty One hears the words of the Mighty One. For this cause you don't hear, because you are not of the Mighty One.'
8:48
Then the Yahudim answered him, 'Don't we say well that you are a Shomroni, and have a demon?'8:49
Yah'shuah answered, 'I don't have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 8:50But I don't seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. 8:51Most assuredly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.'8:52
Then the Yahudim said to him, 'Now we know that you have a demon. Avraham died, and the prophets; and you say, "If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death." 8:53Are you greater than our father, Avraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?'8:54
Yah'shuah answered, 'If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our Mighty One. 8:55You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, "I don't know him," I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. 8:56Your father Avraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.'8:57
The Yahudim therefore said to him, 'You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Avraham?'8:58
Yah'shuah said to them, 'Most assuredly, I tell you, before Avraham was born, I AM.'8:59
They took up stones therefore to throw at him, but Yah'shuah hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."8: 39-41 shows that in the context of righteousness those who are considered Avraham's children are those who do the works of Avraham, the works Avraham did! Those who do not do these works are not considered Avraham's children in the context of righteousness, even though they may be physically descended from Avraham!
8: 44 shows that those who desire to do the lusts of the devil are of the devil, the devil being their father in the context of righteousness and evil!
Yah'shuah Laid Down His Life For The Sheep
Yahchanan 10: 14-18 reads, "10:14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; 10:15even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 10:16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 10:17Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 10:18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."
Yahchanan 12: 20-50 reads, "12:20Now there were certain Yevanim among those that went up to worship at the feast. 12:21These, therefore, came to Pilipos, who was from Beit-Tzaidah of the Galil, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we want to see Yah'shuah.' 12:22Pilipos came and told And'drai, and in turn, And'drai came with Pilipos, and they told Yah'shuah. 12:23Yah'shuah answered them, 'The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 12:24Most assuredly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 12:25He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. 12:26If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
12:27
'Now my soul is troubled. What will I say? "Father, save me from this time?" But for this cause I came to this time. 12:28Father, glorify your name!'Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, 'I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.'
12:29
The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, 'An angel has spoken to him.'12:30
Yah'shuah answered, 'This voice hasn't come for my sake, but for your sakes. 12:31Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. 12:32I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.' 12:33But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. 12:34The multitude answered him, 'We have heard out of the law that the Messiah remains forever. How do you say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up?" Who is this Son of Man?'12:35
Yah'shuah therefore said to them, 'Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn't overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn't know where he is going. 12:36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.' Yah'shuah said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them. 12:37But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn't believe in him, 12:38that the word of Yesha`yahu the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke,'Yahweh, who has believed our report?
To whom has the arm of the Yahweh been revealed?'
12:39
For this cause they couldn't believe, for Yesha`yahu said again,12:40
'He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart,Lest they should see with their eyes,
And perceive with their heart,
And would turn,
And I would heal them.'
12:41
Yesha`yahu said these things when he saw his glory, and he spoke of him. 12:42Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Perushim they didn't confess it, so that they wouldn't be put out of the synagogue, 12:43for they loved men's approval more than the Mighty One's approval. 12:44Yah'shuah cried out and said, 'Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. 12:45He who sees me sees him who sent me. 12:46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. 12:47If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn't believe, I don't judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 12:48He who rejects me, and doesn't receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day. 12:49For I spoke not from myself, but the Father, who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 12:50I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.'"12: 24-26 is a message from Yah'shuah to his servants! He is basically telling them that in order for them to bear much fruit they must indeed die! Yes, THEY MUST DIE! They are to follow Yah'shuah even in death!
Yah'shuah's Word Will Judge In The Last Day
12: 47-50 shows that even though Yah'shuah did not come, in his first coming, to judge the world, the time for judgement being the last day, the day of judgement, his words that he spoke at his first coming will nevertheless be the ones that will judge those to be judged - those who do evil! For those words that he spoke did not originate with him. They originated with the Father! Therefore it is the Father's words, spoken by his Son Yah'shuah the Messiah, that will judge people in the resurrection of judgement!
Yah'shuah Loved His Own To The End
Yahchanan 13: 1 reads, "13:1Now before the feast of the Pesach, Yah'shuah knowing that his time had come that he would depart out of this world to his Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."
Love One Another As Yah'shuah Loved
Yahchanan 13: 34-35 reads, "13:34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. 13:35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Yah'shuah loved his disciples, providing for them out of his means with all that they needed at all times of need. Yah'shuah's disciples should likewise love their fellow disciples, providing for one another out of their means with all that is needed at all times of need. It is by so loving one another that it becomes evident that Yah'shuah's disciples are indeed his disciples!
Yahchanan 14: 15 reads, "14:15If you love me, keep my commandments."
Yahchanan 14: 21 reads, "14:21Someone who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him."
Yahchanan 14: 22-26 reads, "14:22Yahudah (not of K'riot) said to him, 'Master, what will happen that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?'
14:23
Yah'shuah answered him, 'If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. 14:24He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me. 14:25I have said these things to you, while still living with you. 14:26But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your memory all that I said to you.'"Yahchanan 14: 27-31 reads, "14:27Shalom I leave with you. My shalom I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. 14:28You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I. 14:29Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe. 14:30I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. 14:31But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here."
Go And Bear Much Fruit That Remains
Yahchanan 15: 1-27 reads, "15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 15:2Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 15:3You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 15:4Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 15:5I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 15:6If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 15:7If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done to you. 15:8In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. 15:9Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. 15:10If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love. 15:11I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 15:12This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. 15:13Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 15:14You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. 15:15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his master does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 15:16You didn't choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 15:17 I command these things to you, that you may love one another. 15:18If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. 15:19If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 15:20Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 15:21But all these things will they do to you for my name's sake, because they don't know him who sent me. 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 15:23He who hates me, hates my Father also. 15:24If I hadn't done among them the works which none other did, they wouldn't have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father. 15:25But that the word may be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.' 15:26When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. 15:27You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning."
15: 3 shows that it is Yah'shuah's word that prunes us clean.
15: 6 clearly shows that even though there are some who are at one time in Yah'shuah, not all necessarily remain in Yah'shuah! For some do not remain!
Qualifications of Yah'shuah's Disciples
15: 6-8 shows that those who are indeed Yah'shuah's disciples are those WHO REMAIN IN HIM! In other words, just because someone is at a particular point in time in Yah'shuah DOES NOT automatically mean that that person is indeed a disciple of Yah'shuah! For those who are in Yah'shuah are made up of two categories of people. One category, called Yah'shuah's disciples, are those who remain in him. The other category, not called Yah'shuah's disciples, are those who have either yet to remain in him or left him! It should therefore be clear that mere profession of Yah'shuah as the Messiah is not adequate qualification for a person being a disciple of Yah'shuah! For Yah'shuah's disciples are made up of only those who remain in him. Thus a period of time must elapse for it to be ascertained whether or not one is indeed a disciple of Yah'shuah! For the period of time indeed determines whether or not one remains in Yah'shuah!
It is also evident that those who remain in Yah'shuah, thereby becoming his disciples, are those who bear much fruit. Therefore if one professes to follow Yah'shuah, yet does not bear much fruit, such a one CANNOT at that time be called a disciple of Yah'shuah. For it is only when such a one bears much fruit that such a one indeed becomes a disciple of Yah'shuah!
15: 14 shows that one becomes a friend of Yah'shuah only when one does WHATEVER Yah'shuah commands one! Therefore anyone professing to be a friend of Yah'shuah, yet does not do whatever Yah'shuah commands that one to do, is not a friend of Yah'shuah!
15: 15 shows that Yah'shuah reveals to his friends EVERYTHING he hears from his Father! Yah'shuah's friends are therefore very KNOWLEDGEABLE of the Father's will and ways, for Yah'shuah reveals to them everything he hears from the Father!
Yahchanan 17: 25-26 reads, "17:25Righteous Father, the world didn't know you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. 17:26I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."
To have the Father's love in us, and to have Yah'shuah in us, it is ESSENTIAL that Yah'shuah makes known to us the Father's name! It appears that there is more to knowing the Father's name than just that it is "Yahweh"! For the disciples, by reading the scriptures, did indeed know that it was Yahweh. Therefore this knowledge of the Father's name supersedes mere articulation of the name Yahweh!
Loving Yah'shuah More Than Everyone Else
Yahchanan 21: 14-19 reads, "21:14This is now the third time that Yah'shuah was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. 21:15So when they had eaten their breakfast, Yah'shuah said to Shim`on Kefa, 'Shim`on, son of Yonah, do you love me more than these?'
He said to him, 'Yes, Master; you know that I have affection for you.'
He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' 21:16He said to him again a second time, 'Shim`on, son of Yonah, love you me?'
He said to him, 'Yes, Master; you know that I have affection for you.'
He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' 21:17He says to him the third time, 'Shim`on, son of Yonah, do you have affection for me?'
Kefa was grieved because he asked him the third time, 'Do you have affection for me?' He said to him, 'Master, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.'
Yah'shuah said to him, 'Feed my sheep. 21:18Most assuredly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and carry you where you don't want to go.'
21:19
Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify the Mighty One. When he had said this, he said to him, 'Follow me.'"Yah'shuah required Kefa to show his love for Yah'shuah by dying for his name's sake! This is the love by which servants of Yah'shuah bear much fruit!
The Scattering Of The Early Assembly
Acts 7: 54 to 8: 8 reads, "7:54Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 7:55But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into Heaven, and saw the glory of the Mighty One, and Yah'shuah standing on the right hand of the Mighty One, 7:56and said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of the Mighty One!' 7:57But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord. 7:58They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Sha'ul. 7:59They stoned Stephen, as he called on the Master, saying, 'Master Yah'shuah, receive my spirit!' 7:60He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, 'Master, don't hold this sin against them!' When he had said this, he fell asleep.
8:1
Sha'ul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Yerushalayim in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Yahudah and Shomron, except for the apostles. 8:2Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him. 8:3But Sha'ul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison. 8:4Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. 8:5Pilipos went down to the city of Shomron, and proclaimed to them the Messiah. 8:6The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Pilipos, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 8:7For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8:8There was great joy in that city."Earlier on, in Acts 2 and 4, it was seen that the disciples were TOGETHER. Nevertheless, in Acts 8: 1-4 it is seen that they were SCATTERED ABROAD! It therefore appears that during the time of Acts 2 and 4 it was indeed Yahweh's will that they be together. But during the time of Acts 8 and subsequently, it was indeed his will that they be scattered abroad, and by so being scattered prevent their being together!
Why The Early Assembly Was Scattered
8: 4 shows that those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. This therefore appears to have been a purpose for their scattering, that they preach the word in the various areas of the scattering!
It is noted that in Acts 2, when the disciples were together, they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teachings and fellowship. Yet in 8: 4 they were the ones now preaching the word! It therefore appears that a purpose for their being together during the time prior to Acts 8 was for their learning the word from the apostles! Once they had learned the word they no longer needed to remain together, but needed to preach it to those who had yet to hear it!
It therefore appears that Yahweh did not intend the disciples being together to be a permanent feature! It appears to have been a temporary one for the purpose of educating them on his word, after which they were to preach it to those who had yet to hear it.
It therefore appears to me that it might not be appropriate for one to require Yah'shuah's disciples to remain together indefinitely after they have come together to both learn the word and also to share ownership of their various essential possessions. It appears that the arrangement of shared ownership of their various essential possessions lasts with particular brethren only for as long as one is living together with them. But when Yahweh sends one elsewhere, ownership of one's possessions, if one chooses to hold them in common with the brethren, is shared with the brethren in the new location where Yahweh sends one!
INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why The Early Disciples Were Together
Why were all believers together?
Why did they have all things in common?
Why did they sell their possessions and goods, and distribute them to all, according as anyone had need?
It should be evident from Acts 2 that the disciples were indeed together in Yerushalayim as that is where the assembly of Yahweh was set up physically on Shavuot, and all the members of the assembly were located in Yerushalayim. For in Acts 1: 4 we read, "1:4Being assembled together with them, he charged them, 'Don't depart from Yerushalayim, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 1:5For Yahchanan indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'"
Acts 2: 1-6 reads, "2:1Now when the day of Shavu`ot had come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2:2Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and it sat on each one of them. 2:4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 2:5Now there were dwelling at Yerushalayim Yahudim, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 2:6When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language."
It is evident from Acts 2: 1-6 that the disciples heeded Yah'shuah's command to them recorded in Acts 1: 4. They therefore remained together in Yerushalayim, and they did indeed receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as Yah'shuah told them would happen.
Acts 2: 41-47 reads, "2:41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 2:42They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 2:43Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 2:44All who believed were together, and had all things common. 2:45They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 2:46Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 2:47praising the Mighty One, and having favor with all the people. Yahweh added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved."
It is therefore clearly evident that the REASON why the disciples were together at Yerushalayim in those days preceding Shavuot, and immediately afterwards, was in heeding the command from Yah'shuah that they remain in Yerushalayim. The primary reason for so remaining in Yerushalayim was for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Also, seeing that they had yet to receive word that they were to depart from Yerushalayim after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they continued to remain together at Yerushalayim after receiving this baptism.
Seeing that the reason why the disciples were together at Yerushalayim was in heeding the command from Yah'shuah that they depart not from Yerushalayim until they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it appears that it is not appropriate to conclude that all disciples should be gathered together indefinitely in one geographical location, using the practice of the early assembly as the precedent for such conduct. For it is not essential that all disciples be gathered together in one geographical location for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
For Acts 8: 14-17 reads, "8:14Now when the apostles who were at Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the word of the Mighty One, they sent Kefa and Yahchanan to them, 8:15who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 8:16For as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized into the name of the Master Yah'shuah. 8:17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."
It is therefore evident that the Holy Spirit can indeed be received even when not all of the disciples are gathered together after the manner of the early assembly on Shavuot at Yerushalayim! Therefore Acts 2 cannot correctly be used as applicable precedent for disciples being together in one geographical location!
Also, as Acts 8 showed, the Mighty One allowed a scattering of the disciples away from Yerushalayim. This therefore showed that the purpose for their being gathered together had already been fulfilled. The main purpose being their receipt of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The other purpose was receiving the apostles' teaching and fellowship.
Why The Early Disciples Sold Their Possessions
As was earlier seen, the early disciples had two categories of possessions. Those they needed for the sustenance and those surplus to their sustenance. Possessions that were surplus to their sustenance they sold, and brought the proceeds of the sales to the apostles' feet. Distribution was then made to each, both among and outside the early disciples, as any had need.
In other words, the early disciples had love for one another, and also for their neighbours. For they fulfilled the needs of both their brethren and their neighbours using whatever was in their power to do so! In this they were simply obeying Yah'shuah the Messiah. For Yah'shuah taught them to love one another, and their neighbours, as they love themselves. Yah'shuah also taught them that the manner others would indeed know that they were truly his disciples was by their loving one another.
Yah'shuah also taught them to serve the Mighty One, and not mammon. They were therefore not to be anxious about their lives and their bodies, for the Father would supply all their needs if they believed he would. They were to first seek the kingdom of heaven, and all their needs would be given them.
Also, by selling their possessions and making distribution to the needy they were rooting out covetousness out of their hearts. For they were acquiring true treasure, that in heaven, by so doing.
But those whose hearts were in their possessions, those who were still serving mammon, seeing that it is impossible to serve both the Father and mammon, found it hard to sell their possessions and make distribution to the needy! Their covetousness also prevented them from truly loving their brethren and neighbours as they loved themselves. For they did not do unto them as they desired to be done unto if in the same situation!
Why The Early Disciples Held Property In Common
It seems that common ownership of needed property was a logical conclusion of loving one's brethren as one loved oneself. For such love would lead one to share all that one has with one's brethren! Such that whatever a brother needs that is in one's possession is shared with that brother. And by so sharing one's essential possessions one indeed loves one's brethren as one loves oneself!
It seems to me that believers do NOT now need to be together in one geographic location indefinitely. For the baptism of the Holy Spirit can and is indeed received by believers through prayer and the laying on of hands by Yah'shuah's servants, irrespective of the geographical location of the believers so being baptised.
For purposes of receiving teaching and fellowship from Yah'shuah's servants it seems that believers CAN come together in one geographic location for a defined period of time. Once they have learned from Yah'shuah's servants they should then disperse from that location and likewise spread Yah'shuah's word in the localities that they move to.
As believers should have love for one another it seems that they should jointly own their essential possessions. Legally these ought to be retained by the individual believers. Practically the individual believers so having legal title to these possessions should act as trustees or custodians, using the possessions for the benefit of all believers, as any have need.
Non-essential possession should be sold, and distribution made to the needy out of the proceeds of the sales. Should a sufficient number of believers be together in one geographic location they can indeed appoint those who are trustworthy among them to act as trustees for a common fund made up of the proceeds of such sales. But it is not essential that believers do so, seeing that they can individually sell their surplus possessions and individually make distribution to the needy, both among and outside the body of believers. Therefore, believers with surplus possessions should not wait for other believers to jointly undertake the work of selling their possessions and making distribution to the needy. They can do so individually, especially if they are located in an area where not many around them are believers.
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© 1998, Isaac Aluochier, All rights reserved. Published by Servants of Yahweh, P O Box 22855, London, NW9 8ZF, United Kingdom. E-mail: servantsofyahweh@serveyahweh.org. Permission is hereby GRANTED to reproduce this and other publications in the Servants of Yahweh web site, http://www.serveyahweh.org, unless otherwise stated.
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