I have been extensively studying the book of Acts for a class I am participating in and one of our assignments was to identify “keys” to the establishment and expansion of the first-century church. That is, what recurring themes do we find in the book of Acts that helped the church become grounded and grow “to the ends of the earth”? And what of those things that occurred in the first century church a few thousand years ago are still applicable today? Over the next six weeks I would like to share some of the things I found in my study of Acts that if we were to take seriously and adopt as a church we may see the amazing power of God unfold in our lives and ministries.
Common patterns that seemed to arise in the book of Acts that contributed to the establishment and expansion of the First-Century Church are centered around the following themes: Leadership, Prayer, Witnessing, Unity, Holy Spirit Empowerment, and Persecution. Many of these areas overlap (i.e., praying in one accord is both prayer/unity) but it was helpful for me to compartmentalize the keys into these general categories.
Today we’ll talk about UNITY
Unity, that is a gathering of people being of one heart and mind, is a powerful thing. There is strength in numbers, joy in community, a pooling of resources, and there is a wider expanse that can be reached when we link arms with others under a common cause, going the same direction. Unity depends upon every person following the same leader, living by the same principles, and having no division among them.
I invite you to check out some (by no means a full list!) of these keys pertaining to unity I identified, along with their scripture references from the book of Acts. As you read through these, decide what of these we can apply to our lives today to be in alignment with God’s design for His church.
Those who believed were united with one heart and soul, worshiped together, praised God together, ate together, and were benefactors of the apostles and to each other as any had need (2:44:47, 4:32-36)
The apostles and disciples joined in the effort to keep Saul safe, and recognized his divine appointment to take part in the preaching of Jesus Christ as they learned of his encounter with Jesus and his mission, though he was not one of the 12 original eyewitnesses (9:23-30)
In response to the issue of circumcision and other matters of law-following, the apostles and elders gathered in Jerusalem to have debate, were open to the discussion and arguments presented by Paul and Barnabas, listened to the Holy Spirit, and eventually came together in one accord to settle the matter requiring only the most vital issues presented (15:1-29)
Paul worked together with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth, giving him an opportunity to build rapport with them and minister to them and others with the word (18:1-4)
The disciples continued to gather and break bread together (20:7)
As I reflect upon how we do ministry today, I am encouraged that when we as disciples employ these same principles within the context of our lives and ministries we should hope to see the same power, signs and wonders the apostles experienced. After all, the same Spirit that worked in each of the men and women during the establishment and expansion of the First-Century Church is the same Spirit that was in Jesus, and continues to dwell in us today. As we seek to turn our ministries to become realigned with the Way of Christ and His Apostles I am confident we shall continually move to see the Church unfold in power and in great works in the world, as well as transform the hearts and lives of His people to a greater degree.