Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul… I. THE UNITY. "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and sou!." The Church of that day was a great contrast with the world, where there were "wars and rumours of wars," envious and jealous hatreds. Unity ever set forth in New Testament as a fundamental conception of the Church. Christ prayed for it. Apostles strove to preserve it. The ideal we should ever keep before us. II. THE MANIFESTATION. "Neither said any of them that aught of the things that he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." This a convincing evidence of their unity. Teaches the surpassing love of that brotherhood of Christ. The principle is just as true to-day. The Church is a partnership in preaching the gospel and in good works. III. THE CAUSES. By examining the context we may discover some of the causes or conditions. 1. Fidelity. They had been entrusted with the gospel. They had faithful leaders (Acts 2:14; Acts 3:12; Acts 4:3-8; Acts 13:19). They had faithful people (vers. 24-30). 2. Prayer (vers. 24-30). 3. Recognition of God's providence (ver. 28). 4. Holy Spirit (ver. 31). Notice it came in answer to prayer. To believers (cf. chap. 2:4). Churches need renewals (cf. Acts 2:4 and Acts 4:31) of Holy Spirit. IV. THE RESULTS. 1. Great spirituality. Scatter the embers of a dying fire and it goes out. Rake them together and you have warmth and glow. So with a divided and a united Church. 2. Great power. "A city set on a hill," etc. Such a Church can make the powers of darkness tremble. Keep this ideal before us and we shall be a united, spiritual, and aggressive Church. (E. E. Curry.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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