That was very interesting, some of the quotes I was not even familiar with. Thank you. Blaine ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 6:03 AM Subject: RE: [TruthTalk] Kingdom Come
> Terry wrote: > > I believe Blaine, if I remember correctly, that the > > church in Jerusalem was the only one of all the new > > testament churches to have all things in common. > > It was not a pattern for us to follow. > > Sharing all things in common should never be followed as some sort of > pattern, else it would be motivated by duty instead of love. > Nevertheless, I do not think that we should infer from the silence of > Scripture that other churches did not also walk in this pattern of love. > I have visited modern Christian communities who hold all things in > common, so I have little doubt that such churches have existed > throughout the centuries. > > The idea of holding all things in common proceeds from the idea that > there are economic needs among us. The Scriptures give us clues that > churches far away from Jerusalem, such as the Antioch church, probably > also walked by this principle. For example, Galatians gives indication > of the influence of the leaders of the Jerusalem church upon the church > at Antioch, especially in relation to how they shared financially with > the poor. > > And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived > the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right > hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto > the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the > same which I also was forward to do. (Galatians 2:9-10 KJV) > > Paul also indicates that he understood the principles by which the > Jerusalem church held all things in common. For example: > > But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply > for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: > that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much > had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. (2 > Corinthians 8:14-15 KJV) > > So I have little doubt that other churches walked as the Jerusalem > church did in regards to holding all things in common. I think it is > our modern mindset that simply likes to read into the silence of > Scripture our own culture and surmise that they were like we are today. > For example, when Mormons read the Bible, they tend to see Mormonism and > read that into the silence, whereas a Roman Catholics tend to see Roman > Catholicism and Protestants tend to see their brand of Protestant > practice. > > Peace be with you. > David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. > > ---------- > "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org > > If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. > ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
