WEDNESDAY November 16, 2022 

A Unified Church 

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Acts 2:43-45

In the early Church, we see unity. There was no gossip or divisions among them. Believers remained one in Christ. They gathered together to fellowship, be in the Word of God, pray and enjoy each other’s company which in turn, established the Church. As a unified Church, they exhibited all the fruits of the Spirit––love, peace and joy (Galatians 5:22-23). 

Christians are to walk in the love of Jesus Christ. Why? So God can use our lives––fully and completely. Imagine, God loves us and chose us so we can influence other people around the world––South America, Mexico, Japan. We can infiltrate the whole world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but only if we stay in one heart and mind. 

Something else we see in the Church is that they had a common faith, common fellowship, and a common community of goods. They sold everything they had and divided it among all. However, God does not ask you to sell your house and give it to the church. We do not want anything unless God has told you to give it to the church. Ministries are not to enrich themselves. Be very careful of churches that beg for money––that is a false teaching. God is not poor, He is rich! He holds the universe in His hands! 

Churches are to minister to the needs of the people. I believe we must take care of our own. How is this done? Be sensitive to a person in need in the body of Christ. If you can help them financially, or in whatever way you can from what you have––that is a beautiful thing. 

All Christians enjoy a unity of mission in which we have one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Ephesians 4:4-5). There is surely disunity in the visible church, but that is not as important as the reality of the unity that we enjoy by virtue of our shared communion in Christ.
~R.C. Sproul~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!