Saturday, September 03, 2005

Should We Go Back To The Communes?

"Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:44-47

There were things going on after AD33 that forced the early faith community to pool resources and band together; i.e. persecution & famine. In the culture of their day there most likely was a stronger sense of community, something quite foreign to us here in America. It was natural for them to have a close knit communal group, not so natural here in our individualistic society.

Conversely though, why should we accept the dominant society's lack of community in the household/family of God?

I am not suggesting that we all live in a 60's style commune to be closer to the early faith communities. I'm talking about developing a stronger community that looks beyond the "church" building, one that embraces the concept of a family of believers called out from a life of sin and joined together with a common purpose of building each other up and spreading the Gospel.

Who knows, we just might be facing the same things here in America as a community of believers that those in the rest of the world and the First Century believers faced. Our faith communities may have to pool resources and band together. We may have to develop a stronger sense of community to deal with possible future persecutions.

You should check out the lyrics of RIGHT HERE IN AMERICA by Larry Norman the pioneer of Christian rock and poet laureate of the Jesus Movement. It is a song he wrote back in the days of the Movement and I think that it rings true today, his words are quite prophetic.

Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!
Kevin (Cloud)

5 comments:

Bill Heroman said...

I know a few people who tried "living in common" for a couple of years in the 70's, as part of a group near Santa Barbara... but I wouldn't go that far myself. However, I did shop with 10 other couples for a neighborhood we could all afford to move into together! Now, how's that for a modern compromise?

Keep posting, brother! Thanks for blogging.

Bob N said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bob N said...

Hello Bob here
God, JC and HS are my priority.
I too am looking for information.
My kids are off making their mark in the world.
I want to make a change, as I no longer fit in this new world order.
I have a few skill sets which would serve well in this type of environment. I enjoy working with hands and heart as well as with my mind.
thanks bob

timeinabible said...

Kevin, I`m new to your blog and this site. So glad to know that I`m not alone in this world. I`ve dreamed of being able to buy a place large enough, to have a community. My possessions are not plenty, however I am willing to share. I truly love everyone, as instructed to do. I live in south La., when we were ravished by Katrina and Rita, I was grateful that although damaged my home was livable. So many, people didn`t have anywhere to go, my heart was broken. I wanted to open my home to a few people until they could do better. My family said if I did, they`d have me committed to an institution. I understood their concerns for my safety, but my desired to share what I`ve been blessed with overwhelmed me. A few years ago I found this great place in Arkansas and I claimed it . I had a few health set backs and didn`t do what I needed to in a timely manner now the place is occupied. I know God is a god of miracles and if it is meant for me to live that dream somehow it will happen. In the meantime is there somewhere I can go to get information on starting a shelter of sorts ?
Thank you !............In His Love...........

Hippie Christian said...

Ivanyi, I removed your post... this blog is not the proper place for what you seek... sorry no polygamous communes here... in fact this post wasn't promoting communes... especially communes with polygamous relationships... if you are trolling for s*x this is not the place!!!!! Having all things in common in the First Century Church did not include sharing their wives!!!

Peace, Love & Light
Kevin