Acts: To The Ends Of The EarthSample

Again, as in Acts 2:42–47, Luke gives us a glimpse of life in the early church, and what an impressive community it is.

Life in the first century was cheap. There was no welfare. People had only family networks, and if they failed they were on their own. The unity of the Christian community extended to possessions; they shared everything as if they were members of one family. The principle was one of equality. If someone was needy, their needs were met by the abundance of others (v. 34) and laid at the apostles’ feet for distribution. Here, then, is a Spirit-inspired, voluntary socialism. Nikita Khrushchev once said that communism’s failure was its failure to produce the selfless man. What the political system cannot do, God through the gospel of His Son can do. Here is a selfless, generous community of people of the new covenant.

Luke mentions one person as an example, Joseph of Cyprus. Renamed Barnabas, the son of encouragement, by the apostles, he did what was described in verses 34 and 35. True to his name, Barnabas introduces Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27). He is sent by the church in Jerusalem to encourage the Gentile church in Antioch (Acts 11:22). He seeks out Paul in Tarsus (Acts 11:25). He leads the first missionary journey with Paul (Acts 13:2). Paul soon becomes the dominant partner and Barnabas willingly plays second fiddle (Acts 13:42; 13:46; 14:1; 14:12). Barnabas was far more patient and generously minded towards Mark than was Paul (Acts 15:36–41). Barnabas is a great example of humility and generosity. He was a true disciple of the Christ, who came to serve (Mark 10:45).

I pray a daily prayer that God would give me a mind that is clean, generous, and humble. Barnabas is a very good example of a life lived with such a mind. But Luke will not have us idealize the early church, because the generosity of Barnabas stands out in stark contrast to what is about to follow in chapter 5.

Reflection

What is it about Barnabas that gives you a model to follow? Do you think the principle of equality among God’s people has relevance for today? How might this apply to believers with investment property, compared with believers struggling with a first mortgage, compared with believers who are renting?