When the Spirit came at Pentecost, people began to practice the Be-Attitudes to such an extent they were able to create an exceptionally inclusive, completely egalitarian, post-Pentecost community.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as they had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2. 42-47)

‘All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There was no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales put it at the apostles’ feet, and distributed it to anyone as they had need.’ (Acts 4.32-35)

This is an not an exclusive “Chris-tian” community, but an inclusive “Christ-like” community—committed to the way of Christ as a way of relating respectfully to all people regardless of religion, tradition, status, class, caste, age or gender. It creates a society – albeit partially and temporarily – in which the grace of God is the order of the day. The people “have everything in common”; they ”distribute their resources to anyone according to their need”; and, consequently, there is no-one with an unmet need – “no needy persons among them!” An extra-ordinarily beautiful manifestation of the kingdom of heaven on earth.

Since Pentecost, whenever people have opened themselves to the Spirit like the disciples did, they have found themselves being inspired to be able to engage reality, make responsible choices, and take compassionate actions…

“A woman in a London flat was told of her husband’s death in a street accident. The shock of grief stunned her like a blow, she sank into a corner of the sofa and sat there rigid and unhearing. For a long time her terrible tranced look continued to embarrass the family… Then the schoolteacher of one of her children… called… and sat down beside her. Without a word she threw an arm around the tight shoulders, clasping them with her full strength. [One cheek touched the other]. Then as the unrelenting pain seeped through to her the newcomer’s tears began to flow, falling on their two hands… For a long time that is all that was happening. And then at last the [widow] began to sob. Still not a word was spoken and after a little while the visitor got up and went…” [ix]

Bishop John Taylor says “the Holy Spirit is the force in the straining muscles of an arm, the film of sweat between pressed cheeks, the mingled wetness of the backs of clasped hands”’[x] that enables us to practice the Be-Attitudes.

Dave Andrews

From Hey, Be And See (Authentic)