Ep. 273. Acts 4-5 | The Unity of the Believer

EPISODE 273

THE UNITY OF THE BELIEVER: ACTS 4B-5

"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness." What a fantastic prayer. In the face of threats and adversity, the believers prayed for boldness and to remain steadfast in the work of the gospel. I think back to Matthew thirteen and the seed that fell on the rocky soil. The plant sprang up quickly, but it withered in the time of persecution because it had no root. Persecution of the followers of Christ is a dividing force that shows those who are fully convinced of the truth of Jesus and those who pretend to be.

You'll notice in this text that the believers are "filled with the Holy Spirit." They had all just been filled with the Holy Spirit in chapter two, but here they are "filled" yet again. Later, we will see individuals "filled" with the Holy Spirit for specific tasks. This seems to mimic what we saw in the Old Testament, especially in the life of Samson, where the Holy Spirit empowered people to accomplish certain things in the name of and for the glory of God. I know that when I was growing up, I was under the impression that the Holy Spirit came and filled you up only once (at salvation); I have friends who believe in a second filling of the Holy Spirit, but I have never heard anyone discuss what seems to be happening in the book of Acts with multiple fillings. I wish I were smart enough to do more than speculate on the matter, but for now, I'll have to keep pondering this mystery.

The unity we see in the early church is unmatched but also short-lived. All the believers shared all things in common. The assembly of believers took care of their own needs. In Second Corinthians, we see Paul still making sure the saints were taking care of one another. But it didn't take long for the assembly to be divided over circumcision and other issues regarding the Law of Moses.

Let's end with, "They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Christ]." That is a beautiful sentiment. This takes us back to where we started the lesson today: people loving Jesus at the cost of their safety. Not only were they willing to suffer, but they rejoiced that they were able to suffer with and for Christ. Again, I think this is what it really must look like to be a faithful follower of Jesus. I wonder if we've gotten too comfortable and perhaps lazy in our Western church culture.

ADDITIONAL READING: Psalm 2:1; Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 4:16; Romans 8:17-19