The tangible closeness of God characterised the people of the first church. They brought their abundance to the apostles. The gifts were distributed among the needy, as much as each person needed (Acts 4:35).

It was not a communist way of life in which the state was in charge of distributing the possessions of others. Rather, it was a matter of voluntary contributions that were distributed by a committee according to need. This meant that not everyone received the same amount.

The parishioners did not sell everything they had, but only part of their ‘fields and houses’ (plural). They did not give the shirt off their backs until they themselves were in need. They only gave away what they didn’t need to live on.

By law, family property could not be sold, but could only be enfeoffed until the Halljahr. But their attitude to property changed. It was not about amassing as much money and property as possible. Rather, they saw themselves as stewards of their possessions (Acts 4:32). Because everything was and is a gift from God.

There was no pressure from within among the first followers of Jesus. The members of the church voluntarily helped each other to withstand the pressure from outside, to grow spiritually and to be filled with God’s presence.

It is also noteworthy that they met in a public place (Solomon’s Hall) and did not build or rent a community building. Such public places no longer exist today. Continue reading Voluntary contributions distributed according to need →

Using Psalm 118 in Acts 4:11, Peter reminds the Sanhedrin that it is already written in the Scriptures that Jesus will be the cornerstone. Though much had to happen, now was the time for repentance and reorientation.

The fact that the leaders were unable to answer (Acts 4:14) calls into question their authority. In their weakness, all they have left is the threat (Acts 4:18).

Peter shows that freedom of faith has a high value. In matters of faith, God is to be obeyed more than men.

The history of the Jesus movement is marked by headwinds and people who, through divine power, rise above themselves and have profound experiences of God.

Not being silenced is an important part of the Jesus movement. They could have met in a protected environment and not been exposed to opposition. Continue reading He who has no arguments threatens →

During the court case of the apostles Peter and John, the question of who gave them the authority was still relevant (Acts 4:7). Peter points to the resurrected Jesus (Acts 7:10).

It is interesting to note that many in Jerusalem did not want to be associated with Jesus, even though the signs were known to all (Acts 4:16). Miracles do not necessarily lead to faith; they can also provoke opposition.

For the Sadducees, who had a liberal theology and did not believe in an afterlife, the Jesus movement was particularly upsetting. The believers in Jesus disrupted their lives, which they had arranged with the Romans through the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was largely made up of Sadducees who were related to each other.  Continue reading God’s acts can lead to opposition →