Christian communists trace the origins of their practice to the New Testament book Acts of the Apostles at chapter 2 and verses 42, 44, and 45:

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and in fellowship [...]

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things in common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (King James Version)

The theme is reiterated in Acts 4:32-37:

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.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 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,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (King James Version)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_communism

Money

1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version)  

 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Source: http://www.biblegateway.com

The Plymouth Colony, traditionally identified as the first American settlement, was established by pilgrims who had travelled from Europe in order to flee religious persecution and search for a place to worship as they saw fit. The social and legal systems of the colony were thus closely tied to their religious beliefs.

In this highly religious, close-knit community, communist-like principles were tested by the settlers. In 1621, William Bradford, primary drafter of the Mayflower Compact, was selected as governor of the group and served in that capacity for the next 30 years. During that time, Bradford kept a journal which is now known as Of Plymouth Plantation, the single most complete authority for the story of the Pilgrims and the early years of the Colony they founded. In that journal, Bradford clearly describes the issues that arose from their communist-like economy.

Due to all of the troubles that resulted from the Plymouth communist-like economy (lack of production and general discontent), Bradford relates the decision to stop the communal living and contrasts it to the successful capitalist-like economy that was ultimately practiced at Plymouth (and eventually became the standard economy practiced by the United States).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_communism

Jim Jones. People’s Temple.

Jones purported to preach what he called "apostolic socialism."[8] In doing so, the Temple openly preached to established members that "religion is an opiate of the people."[9] Accordingly, "those who remained drugged with the opiate of religion had to be brought to enlightenment -- socialism."[10] In that regard, Jones also openly stated that he "took the church and used the church to bring people to atheism." [11] Jones often mixed those concepts, such as preaching that "If you're born in this church, this socialist revolution, you're not born into sin. If you're born in capitalist America, racist America, fascist America, then you're born in sin. But if you're born in socialism, you're not born in sin."[9]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones

Liberation Theology

In essence, liberation theology explores the relationship between Christian, particularly Roman Catholic, theology and political activism, particularly in areas of social justice, poverty and human rights. The main methodological innovation of liberation theology is to approach theology from the viewpoint of the economically poor and oppressed. According to Jon Sobrino, S.J., the poor are a privileged channel of God's grace. According to Phillip Berryman, liberation theology is "an interpretation of Christian faith through the poor's suffering, their struggle and hope, and a critique of society and the Catholic faith and Christianity through the eyes of the poor."

Emphasis is placed on those parts of the Bible where Jesus' mission is described not in terms of bringing peace (social order) but bringing a sword (social unrest), e.g. Matthew 10:34, Luke 22:35-38 and Matthew 26:51-52. These passages are interpreted as a call to arms to carry out what proponents see as a Christian mission of justice -- literally by some. Marxist concepts such as the doctrine of perpetual class struggle are also significant.

Liberation theology also emphasizes what proponents describe as individual self-actualization as part of God's divine purpose for humankind.

In addition to teaching at some Roman Catholic universities and seminaries, liberation theologians can often be found in Protestant-oriented schools. They tend to have considerable contact with the poor and interpret sacred scripture partly based on their experiences in this context -- what they label praxis.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_theology

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Definitions.

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Main Entry: com•mu•nism 

Function: noun

Etymology: French communisme, from commun common

Date: 1840

1 a: a theory advocating elimination of private property

   b: a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed

2 : capitalized a: a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

  b: a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production

  c: a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably

  d: communist systems collectively

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communism

Main Entry: com·mu·nal

Function: adjective

Etymology: French, from Late Latin communalis, from Latin communis

Date: 1800

1: of or relating to one or more communes

2: of or relating to a community

3 a: characterized by collective ownership and use of property b: participated in, shared, or used in common by members of a group or community

4: of, relating to, or based on racial or cultural groups

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communal

Main Entry: com·mu·nal·ism

Function: noun

Date: 1871

1 : social organization on a communal basis

2 : loyalty to a sociopolitical grouping based on religious or ethnic affiliation

Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=communalism

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