Bible Insights

“ 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 ”: 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 — 𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 ? 𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 The description of the Jerusalem church in Acts 2:42–47 and 4:32–35 presents one of the most distinctive features of the earliest Christian community: believers shared their possessions and ensured that no member remained in need. The language of “all things in common,” “one heart and soul,” and “there was not a needy person among them” has generated discussion concerning its possible relationship to Greek philosophical ideals, particularly Plato’s Republic , where the guardians are described as having nothing privately their own. Similar language also appears in Aristotle’s discussion of friendship, while communal ownership was known within certain Jewish communities such as the Essenes. This article examines whether the communal practice of the Jerusalem church should primarily be understood as an influence of Plato o...