IS
THE PENTECOST COMMUNISM FOR THE CHURCH?
Pastor
J. C. O’Hair
In writing to Timothy some twenty-five
years or more after Christ died, the Holy Spirit, by Paul, said; “But if any provide
not for his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
(I Timothy 5:8), This is indeed strong language.
In Luke 3:11, the Holy Spirit, by John
the Baptist, said; “He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath
none, and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.” In this order we have the
principle of communism.
Then note the words of the Lord Jesus,
spoken to His disciples; “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good
pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide
yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not,
where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” (Luke 12:32 and 33).
Could Christians today sell or give away what they possess and provide well for
their families? Christ’s language in Luke 12 is plain. Then in harmony with
this we observe the events of Pentecost some months later: “Then they that
gladly received his Word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.” “And all that believed were together and had
all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
men, as every man had need.” (Acts 2:41 and 44 and 45). This is almost complete
communism.
The little flock became a larger flock;
for three thousand more were added. If the Pentecost Church is our pattern
Church, where is our communism?
Then note Acts 4:4, 34 and 35: “Howbeit
many of them which heard the Word believed; and the number of the men was about
five thousand.” “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as
were possessors of land or houses sold them, and brought the price of the
things that were sold. And laid them down at the apostles’ feet and
distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
The little flock continued to increase
and even multiply. (Acts 5:14 - Acts 6:7). Is it not as inconsistent to preach
Acts 2:38 with the cry, “back to Pentecost” and not demand the sale of property
and the surrender of the proceeds as it is to preach Mark 16:14 to 16 and wink
at Mark 16:17 and 18?
In the Gospel of Luke surely the Lord
Jesus Christ was Israel’s “Shepherd-King.” And from the messages proclaimed by
Christ and the kingdom program He announced, Israel should surely have lived by
the twenty-third Psalm, saying, “the Lord is my Shepherd.”
Remember that Christ was born in the city
of David, and this was announced to shepherds. (Luke 2:8 to 14). Christ was
born in the house of David, to deliver Israel from their Gentile oppressors
(Luke 1:67 to 77).
Christ was born the Seed of David to be
Israel’s Saviour, and to take the throne of David. (Acts 13:23 - Luke 1:27 to
33). These Scriptures state these facts most clearly and definitely. Christ’s
disciples were thus instructed; “seek not what ye shall eat or what ye shall
drink” - “Take nothing for your journey, neither money, nor, its equivalent, no
bread and just one garment.” (Luke 12:29 - Luke 9:3 - and Luke 10:3).
How could a Christian obey these
instructions and at the same time obey I Timothy 5:8 providing well for his
family?
In Luke 12:27 Christ said: “Consider the
lilies that toil not.” In Proverbs Israel was instructed to consider the
toiling ants, in a different dispensation.
Christians in this age of grace should consider
both. Christians should toil but obey Philippians 4:6 and 7.
Again we ask if the Church of Pentecost
was the ideal Church, why is not the communism of Acts 2:41 to 44 and 34 to 37
God’s program today? The whole Pentecost program was a Kingdom program.
Not long after those Christians gave up
their property they were driven out of Jerusalem, and thus all their earthly
possessions were gone. (Acts 8:1 and Acts 11:19).
Moreover later on Paul was asking
Christians out of Jerusalem, including Gentiles, to send money by him for the
support of the poor. (Romans 15:27). Our communism program is Romans 12:13.
What
is the Gospel?
Believing
Christ died, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ died for YOUR sins and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you
the gospel which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and
wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I
preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose
again the third day according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
Posted By- Cecil and Connie Spivey
Cspivey1953@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment