The characterization of the group of people in Acts 4: 32-37 focuses of the attention on the Christians. In this Luke is depicting of the group to an overview of certain common practices among the believers. These descriptions illustrate about the ongoing, communal dynamics that characterize the believers. Marshall Posits that about the communal practices “the crowd of those who believed” (tou de. plh,qouj tw/n pistusa,ntwn) the phrase is identical that kardi,a kai. yuch. mi,a (one heart and one soul). In these communities initiates would turn their property over to the group whey they became full members. In such communities the goal of the member was to become “one heart” and “one soul” with the other members. Luke has purposefully chosen …show more content…
The unanimity that is the foundational element of the group and that results in outward expressions. Pythagoras states that mi,a yuch. is an acceptable expression to describe the basis of friendship. Thus, one’s attitude toward oneself provides the model for friendship with others. Pythagoras comments that “friends can be perceived as another I”. The sharing of goods or possessions actualizes the unanimity among believers as stressed in 4:32 and results in persons responding for the sake of one another. The Pythagoreans, proverb was “all things were common”. The author of Acts wanted to make it known to his readers that the original community fulfilled the ideal of sharing which was current in the culture at that time. Malina comments that, the believers are loyal to the group and its recognized leaders (2. 42; 4. 23, 24; 5:12), they welcomed each other into their homes (2. 46; 5. 42; 10.6; 12.12; 16.15) , they provide for the needs of each other: ‘no one claimed private ownership of any possessions 4.32, 35. Diogenes Laertiu says that Pythagoras was the first to declare the ideal that “friends hold all things in common” For Porphyry and Iamblichus, the ideal of community possessions was most perfectly expressed when Pythagoras founded the
Acts describes the continued spread of the gospel to new peoples and land. God’s love is not for any one race or ethnic subgroup a love, but for all who will respond to the gospel call.
In 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul set out to address the issues of exclusivity and the divide among the converts of Corinth that has been caused because of spiritual gifts. Paul set a guideline to his converts in Corinth to create order and conduct during times of worship in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. Doing so, Paul hoped that the divide that has been caused from those with special or “exclusive” spiritual gifts do not cause other believers to become jealous or envious. Paul’s guideline to the Corinthians showed the leadership that Paul had that allowed him to guide the Church to become Hellenistic in just one generation.
Aristotle uses a rather categorical approach to friendship. By making strict delineations and then using examples, he establishes a rather strict definition of friendship that is created along lines of social class. He argues, among other things, that friendship must be between similarly virtuous men of equal standing. In addition, the purest form of friendship, and the one that Aristotle considers the only genuine friendship, involves that of two men and that is free from outside reciprocation.
The Believers that gathered at the house of Antonius were completely different. There were no other gods that even existed, let alone worshiped, in the minds of these believers. They were the true embodiment of the church of God and true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. These Christians would gather to discuss the teachings of Jesus, worship through singing, and to pray to the Lord on the behalf of others. They also never paid attention to the social codes.
Late one evening, curled up in her nest, Harriet lay thoughtfully reading the last of Aristotle’s model of friendships: the perfect friendship. Though no secret to Harriet, Aristotle presents the idea that it is the most desirable and genuine of the three forms. The foundation of this friendship is not trivial, but instead the relationship is built on a common good and virtuous nature. As Aristotle explains, “those who love for the sake of utility love for the sake of what is good for themselves, and those who love for the sake of pleasure do so for the sake of what is pleasant to themselves.” Aristotle continues, “Perfect friendship is the friendship of men who are good, and alike in virtue; for those wish well alike to each other qua good, and they are good in themselves.” (concluding sentence or two...)
Friendship is undoubtedly one of the most important elements in the books of Aristotle’s ethical principles. Aristotle takes the idea of friendship to a serious degree. He categorizes them into three groups or types of friendships. This report will attempt to define each type of friendship as well as identify the role of friendship in a society.
Friendship is an important factor in the life of a human being. Development in human beings requires some aspects of bonding to form a social life. The bonding forms an essential aspect of living referred to as friendship. It forms one of the main theories of human nature. For instance, Aristotle contributed a lot to the philosophy of friendship followed by his counterpart Cicero. Cicero used a metaphor in explaining his understanding of friendship where he referred friendship as the sun of life where apart from wisdom, indicates the best gift God gave to the human fraternity. The paper would focus on philosophical differences and similarities between Cicero and Aristotle understanding of friendship.
Aristotle believes that everyone is in need of some type of friend, he states that “for rich people and those who rule and have power, there seems to be the greatest need for friends.”(page. 144, book VIII) Aristotle believes that we as humans benefit greatly from having friends, no matter who we are or what position we are in wealthy or poor. There are three distinct types of friendship that Aristotle directs his beliefs towards. These three types of friendships include: Utility, pleasure, and Goodness or virtuous friendship. Aristotle believes that friendship is something that is extremely important to have and should be held above many things. Friendship Utility is unlike the friendships of pleasure or goodness because as Aristotle puts it is “for the old” he explains that friendship Utility is a friendship that two people may have where they only communicate with one another for self-benefit or to gain something for one’s self. These two people are not likely to live with each other and at times may not even be nice to th...
Marshall, I. Howard. "Introduction." Introduction. The Book of Acts: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2007. 17-53. Print.
The book of Acts is known as 'the birth of the church'. Acts recounts the story of
I would define friendship as complete trust and love between two people. Many people believe that this kind of behavior is reciprocated between two individuals without any expectations. A friend is someone who also provides you with support and whom you can rely on to celebrate special moments with. A friend also comes with many great attributes; such as loyalty, honesty, compassion, trust, and morality. Today’s friend is viewed as someone who shares happiness, common values, history, and equality with another. For example, Aristotle and Cicero both wrote dialogues about friendship and its significance on mankind. Therefore, the key issues that will be discussed are: their views on the similarities of friendship, the differences between friends,
The Book of Acts was written to provide a history of the early church. Acts emphasis the importance of the day of Pentecost and being empowered to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. Acts sheds light on the ministry gift of the Holy Spirit, which empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our Counselor. When reading the Book of Acts many of the readers will be enlightened and encouraged by the many miracles that were being performed during this time by the disciples Peter, John, and Paul. The Book of Acts emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s Word and the transformation that occurs as a result of knowing Christ. There are also many references to those that rejected the truth that the disciples preached about in Jesus Christ. Power, greed, and many other vices of the devil or evidenced in the book of Acts. Acts 1:8 serves as a good summary of the Book of Acts. Acts records the apostles being Christ's witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the rest of the surrounding world.
The writer of this passage was Luke and he had many reasons for writing about this, but it was not as an endorsement of a type of communal living to be considered normative for the Christian church was not one of those reasons. A reason Luke wrote this passage was to express how the apostles and the rest of the church had differed greatly in their giving compared to the way Ananias and Sapphira did in their giving. Ananias and Sapphira were giving selfishly by only giving part of the money they had received from selling their land, while the apostles and the rest of the church were giving generously by giving all the money they had. “That is, they f...
First major theme of the book of Acts is the work of the Holy Spirit in the apostles and the early church. Jesus appeared to his disciples and commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift, the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3b-5) As they gathered together and prayed in one place, the Holy Spirit came to rest on each of them (2:1-3). The disciples who were filled with the Holy Spirit boldly proclaimed God’s word and performed miracles (2:14-42, 3:1-10). Throughout the book, the author focuses on how the Holy Spirt ministers the apostles and the believers in their lives and the community.
However, it is to my understanding that this is a lesson regarding the leadership of the House of worship of Jesus Christ, mutually ancient and modern. In Acts, nevertheless, the command was to preach to scattered Israel in addition to reveal the gospel all over the Roman Empire and as far as they could. This commandment was not deprived of its troubles. Long, treacherous travels, oppressions, concerns of Church guidelines, assimilation of foreigners,