What did the early Jerusalem church do with their possessions in Acts 2?
In Acts 2, the early Jerusalem believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, then distributed the proceeds to everyone according to need. This was a total communal system, with resources placed into a common fund and parceled out by the apostles to believing Jews as needs arose.
Les explains that in Acts 2 the early Jerusalem church continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers, and fear came upon every soul as many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things common. They sold their possessions and goods and parted or parceled them out to all men as every man had need. Les calls this a total communal system of living: whatever they had was put into a common kitty, and the twelve, Peter, James, John, and the others, parceled it out to these believing Jews according to their needs. In Acts 4, Les notes this was all in Jerusalem and these were all Jews. The multitude of believers was of one heart and one soul, and none said that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things common. Les contrasts this unity with churches today that divide and have controversy, saying this group did not have that problem. The apostles also gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and great grace was upon them.
More Questions
How does the selling of possessions in Acts 2:44 challenge the view that Acts 2 describes the church?
In Acts 2:44, the believers sold all their individual possessions and pooled the money into a common kitty, but Les has never encountered any group of believers in 24 years of teaching that practices this, leading him to challenge: if you think Acts 2 is a church chapter, does your church do this?