What Does Scripture Tell Us About [the best kind of] Government?

[BlessedMan]

I think that a lot of people would object to socialism if they realized what it is. One web site I recently came across, called "stopping socialism" makes a point of opposing it, mainly for the following reasons:

a website devoted to informing the world about the dangers, including the moral dangers, associated with socialism, communism, and other forms of collectivism puts it like this." It is our belief that socialism, even when implemented exactly as its adherents want, inevitably leads to economic chaos, rampant poverty, and tyranny."
 

One of the reasons I have for starting this topic is because of some texts I read in the Bible this past week:

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Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,(Acts 2:44)
and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (Acts 2:45)
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. (Acts 4:32).

Are these kinds of texts describing "socialism?" Or Communism?  Who decides what I have outlined in red? "as anyone had need."  Thats pretty interesting wording!

Is the Bible herein describing a moral basis for society to go by here?

I have a few other reasons for starting this topic. They may come out later. It will depend on interest.

 

[BlessedMan]

there is no real mystery to this topic at all.

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Sharing Blessings

Perhaps because Peter and John had overcome this first threatening act of the religious leaders, the church was united. Early Christian unity is very evident in the way they readily shared what they had with their fellow believers. Note, this was voluntary and not forced upon them by some governmental or church order. Instead, each Christian thought of his blessings as gifts from God to be used to the benefit of all the brethren. Interestingly, the generosity of individual members served to enhance the power of the apostles' preaching of the resurrection gospel (Act_4:32-33).

In spite of the teachings of some, it cannot be shown that the church was a commune or that the apostles had control of everyone's property. Yet, individual believers sold land and brought the money to the apostles to be distributed as needed among the family of God. Apparently, Joses, or Joseph, was so well known for such acts of kindness and encouragement, that he was nicknamed Barnabas, or son of consolation, by the apostles (Act_4:34-37). (Gary C Hampton Bible Commentaries)

 

Another question now could be: "Do you belong to a Church like this? Whatever your answer, why do you think its like that? Would you want to belong to a church like this?

[BlessedMan]

Could this explain why the church is struggling for relevance and/or existence even, in some places?
 

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Acts 4:32

Differences of opinion are inevitable among human personalities and can actually be helpful if handled well. But spiritual unity is essential—loyalty, commitment, and love for God and his Word. Without spiritual unity, the church could not survive. Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians to urge the church in Corinth toward greater unity.

None of these Christians felt that what they had was their own, so they were able to give and share, eliminating poverty among them. They would not let a brother or sister suffer when others had plenty. How do you feel about your possessions? We should adopt the attitude that everything we have comes from God, and we are only sharing what is already his.
Acts 4:32-35

The early church was able to share possessions and property as a result of the unity brought by the Holy Spirit working in and through the believers' lives. This way of living is different from communism because (1) the sharing was voluntary; (2) it didn't involve all private property but only as much as was needed; (3) it was not a membership requirement in order to be a part of the church. The spiritual unity and generosity of these early believers attracted others to them. This organizational structure is not a biblical command, but it offers vital principles for us to follow. (Life Application Commentary)

 

When The Holy Spirit does His work in the church; and in individual believers; true unity is the result; and it has much less to do with doctrine than what kind of people the individuals in the church collectively represent to society at large.