Yes, they lived communally, but the practice was rooted in their expectation of the imminent Kingdom, not a mandate for all believers.
Early Jewish believers in Jerusalem sold their possessions and pooled resources into a common fund, as recorded in Acts 2 and 4. Les Feldick teaches that they did this because they believed the promised Kingdom of Israel was about to arrive, making personal wealth unnecessary. This system was temporary; it eventually ran out, and Gentile believers were later asked to support the impoverished Jerusalem saints.
Acts 2:44-45 — This passage directly describes the communal selling of possessions and distribution to all as any had need.
Acts 4:34-35 — Reinforces the practice, showing that no one lacked because they sold land and houses and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet.
In the early chapters of Acts, the Scripture describes a community of believers in Jerusalem who shared all things in common. Acts 2:44-45 states: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." This practice is reiterated in Acts 4:32-35, where "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." They sold lands and houses and brought the proceeds to the apostles, who distributed to each as anyone had need. The Scripture presents this as a voluntary and immediate response, not a divinely commanded economic system.
Les Feldick explains that the early believers in Jerusalem were Jewish believers still operating under Judaism and the temple system. They sold their possessions and goods, pooling everything into a "common kitty" (Acts 2 and 4). Les emphasizes that they did this because they expected the promised Kingdom of God to be established imminently. If Israel had accepted the Kingdom, there would be no need for personal wealth, houses, or lands, as it would be a utopia. However, since Israel rejected the Kingdom, the communal system eventually ran out of funds, leaving those believers destitute. This is why Paul was instructed to remember the poor saints in Jerusalem and took collections from Gentile believers (Galatians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 8–9). Les stresses that this practice was unique to that Jewish context and is not a model for the Church today. He also warns that living out of a common kitty without infinite resources is unsustainable, as shown by history and modern entitlement programs.
The believers in Jerusalem sold their lands and houses because they were convinced that the Kingdom of God was about to be established on earth. Les Feldick teaches that they thought the Kingdom was "just over the horizon," and therefore they would not need personal property or wealth (Clip 6). They acted with exuberance, expecting a utopian state where poverty would be eliminated. This expectation was rooted in the Old Testament promises to Israel.
The communal system eventually ran out of money. Les explains that with no ongoing source of income, the "common kitty" dwindled and the believers became destitute (Clips 2, 3, 5). About 20 years later, Paul was asked to remember the poor saints in Jerusalem, and he took up collections among Gentile believers (Galatians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 8–9). This indicates the system was temporary and unsustainable.
Les Feldick clarifies that this practice was specifically for the Jewish believers awaiting the Kingdom and is not a blueprint for the modern Church. He notes that this was a "called out group of Jewish believers" under Judaism, not the Church as we understand it today (Clip 7). The system was a temporary expression of their anticipation, and its failure shows that it is not a permanent model.
Paul's Collection for the Poor
Les explains that 20 years after Pentecost, the Jerusalem believers were poor because they had sold everything; Paul was urged to remember the poor saints there.
The Common Kitty in Acts 2
Les highlights that Jewish believers sold their possessions and goods and shared everything in common, living out of a common kitty.
Why They Became Poor
Les explains that the communal system inevitably ran out, as seen in America's entitlement problems, and the Jerusalem believers became poor.
The Kitty Ran Out
Les reiterates that the common kitty was not sustainable and ran out, leaving the believers destitute.
Still Under Judaism
Les notes that the believers met in the temple, sold everything, and lived off the common kitty for about seven years.
Kingdom Rejected, Kitty Runs Dry
Les teaches that had Israel accepted the Kingdom, they wouldn't need houses or lands; because they rejected it, the kitty ran out and they became poor, prompting Gentile offerings.
Expectation of the Kingdom
Les says the believers sold everything because they thought the Kingdom was imminent and they would not need personal wealth.
Not the Church, a Jewish Group
Les clarifies that this was a Jewish group, not the Church, and their common kitty ran out, leading Paul to collect for the poor saints.
Acts 2:44-45: And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
This is the primary description of the communal living among early believers.
Acts 4:32: 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.
Shows the unity and shared ownership among the believers.
Acts 4:34-35: 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, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Details the selling of lands and distribution by the apostles.
Galatians 2:10: Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Paul was asked to remember the poor saints in Jerusalem, indicating their destitution.
They sold their possessions because they believed the Kingdom of God was about to be established, making personal wealth unnecessary. Les Feldick teaches that they were Jewish believers expecting the imminent fulfillment of the Old Testament promises to Israel.
It worked for a while, but it eventually ran out of money. Les explains that the 'common kitty' was not sustainable, and the Jerusalem believers became destitute. This is why Paul took up collections for them.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that this was specific to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem who were awaiting the Kingdom. It is not the pattern for the Church, which operates under grace.
Watch the Teaching: Why Poor Churches Begged to Give - 2 Corinthians 8:1-6