The House Church:

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Joelel

Jesus preached to thousands on the sea shore for how long, 3 days ? Pitch a tent or have a good old brush harbor two or three times a week,bring your own chair. Build a fire,roast some chicken,dance and shout,run though the woods. Oh yes preach the word,get people filled with the Holy Ghost and healed.

Mark me as the dense one.

I don't get the point.

[Bro-Larry]

I believe the reason they sold their possessions, and shared with others, was because they knew of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, (either by the Spirit or by the words Jesus), and their possessions would be lost then.

Jesus told them when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then flee to the mountains. (Lk ch 21) The Roman armies came, then left for a short time. This gave them opportunity to flee. Josephus said, "...then many eminent men among us, swam away from the city, as from a ship about to sink". He also said that it is not known that single Christian perished in that AD 70 holocaust.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

I believe the reason they sold their possessions, and shared with others, was because they knew of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, (either by the Spirit or by the words Jesus), and their possessions would be lost then.

Jesus told them when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then flee to the mountains. (Lk ch 21) The Roman armies came, then left for a short time. This gave them opportunity to flee. Josephus said, "...then many eminent men among us, swam away from the city, as from a ship about to sink". Josephus said that it is not known that single Christian perished in that AD 70 holocaust.

Very good point. I never really thought about that being a factor in their decision to make such a drastic move.

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by Bro-Larry

I believe the reason they sold their possessions, and shared with others, was because they knew of the coming destruction of Jerusalem, (either by the Spirit or by the words Jesus), and their possessions would be lost then.

Jesus told them when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then flee to the mountains. (Lk ch 21) The Roman armies came, then left for a short time. This gave them opportunity to flee. Josephus said, "...then many eminent men among us, swam away from the city, as from a ship about to sink". He also said that it is not known that single Christian perished in that AD 70 holocaust.

Oh come on,This Is a very important subject concerning our dress and the owning of worldly things. The scripture teaches love not the world or the things of the world, If any person loves the world and the things of the world the love of the father is not in him.

The scripture Is very clear about we are not to dress ourselves in anything that is expensive. If we are not to dress in expensive dress then we are not to own anything expensive. We are also not to own anything we don't need.

The bible say with food and raiment we are to be content.In the bible using the word gold we understand that we are not to dress in expensive dress. A meek spirit don't wear or own expensive things.

Note here the scripture says gold and pearls or costly array. It don't say jewelry, although jewelry is extreme dressing and a lot is costly.We are to sell everything we don't have need of and give to the poor.

1 Peter 3:3: Whose adorning( Dressing) let it not be that outward adorning( Dressing) of plaiting the hair, (Interweaving and knotting of the hair) and of wearing of gold,(Expensive things) or of putting on of (expensive) apparel;
: But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1 Tim.2:9: In like manner also, that women adorn (Dress) themselves in modest (descent,not extreme) apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

The reason they were to do this is because we are to have all things in common,not because Jerusalem was going to be destroyed.

Acts2:44: And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45: And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need

Acts4:32: And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.33: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

They sold things they didn't need.

34: Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35: And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

1 Tim.5: Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6: But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8: And having food and raiment let us be therewith content

Math.6:19: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

1 Tim.6:17] Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;[18] That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;[19] Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life

[tbpew]

Joelel,
I can read your last post, hear some imporatnt considerations, and can find a lot of agreement within my spirit.

My departure comes with a preception that you do not seem to acknowledge the diversity of this present world's economic demographics. We have no specific instructioin as to what economic demographic the members of God's Christ are to share neighborhoods with. God is way more clever than us in 'engineering diversity".

We all live and interact in some neighborhood (please consider a re-read of D.B's "how starbucks saved my ministry"). A complete lack of ownership is inconsistent with the premise of the parable of the talents and the charge to 'occupy' until the master returns. We can certainly be vibrant in the commerce of this world without wearing its' cosmetics (cosmos).

If our heart does not condemn us we are on good ground for walking in God's anointing.

Do you think renting from the world reveals true holiness?
Do you think having no reserve for the seasons of lack is proper stewardship?

What ownership are you advocating?

Are you teaching that communal living is God's instruction for his children? If so, where do see communial residence in the scriptures?

Can you paint a bigger picture of the potential priviledges and potential pitfalls you see concerning our stewardship of the increase God provides within our life in this world?

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Mark me as the dense one.

I don't get the point.

Just saying we don't have to have a building,homes and brush harbors and tents are fine,God don't look at how nice of buildings we have,he looks at our hearts.

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by tbpew

Joelel,
I can read your last post, hear some imporatnt considerations, and can find a lot of agreement within my spirit.

My departure comes with a preception that you do not seem to acknowledge the diversity of this present world's economic demographics. We have no specific instructioin as to what economic demographic the members of God's Christ are to share neighborhoods with. God is way more clever than us in 'engineering diversity".

We all live and interact in some neighborhood (please consider a re-read of D.B's "how starbucks saved my ministry"). A complete lack of ownership is inconsistent with the premise of the parable of the talents and the charge to 'occupy' until the master returns. We can certainly be vibrant in the commerce of this world without wearing its' cosmetics (cosmos).

If our heart does not condemn us we are on good ground for walking in God's anointing.

Do you think renting from the world reveals true holiness?
Do you think having no reserve for the seasons of lack is proper stewardship?

What ownership are you advocating?

Are you teaching that communal living is God's instruction for his children? If so, where do see communial residence in the scriptures?

Can you paint a bigger picture of the potential priviledges and potential pitfalls you see concerning our stewardship of the increase God provides within our life in this world?

I believe they just sold things they didn't need, as many of us have.We know they had businesses.

[ChristopherHall]

Originally Posted by Joelel

I believe they just sold things they didn't need, as many of us have.We know they had businesses.

Initially they sold all they owned. But that was only to set a foundation and distribute among them to anyone who had need.

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Initially they sold all they owned. But that was only to set a foundation and distribute among them to anyone who had need.

The word don't say that,so all the poor a hundered years later,no love ,no care for them hay ?

James 2: 1: My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2: For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3: And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5: Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6: But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7: Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8: If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10: For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11: For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12: So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15: If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16: And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18: Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20: But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21: Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22: Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

[ChristopherHall]

Joelel,

That wasn't my point. My point was that they sold all they had. Brother, I'm a firm believer in helping the poor. I've written post after post on gleaning and our nation's responsibility to those in need and how we as Christians have to be advocates for the poor.

You can ask most of the long time posters here, I'm almost regarded by some as being a socialist because I believe in universal health care and common sense programs helping the least among us.