Peter

November 7

Acts 4:32-37

The believers are one

All those who had put their faith in Jesus were united—they believed one message and had one purpose. They shared everything because they realized that what they owned had been given to them by God.

The apostles’ message spread all over as they taught the truths they had learned from Jesus and preached about His death and rising again.

Because the believers cared for one another, no one in their group had any needs. Some believers even sold their houses and land, giving the money to the apostles so they could help the needy.

Why is unity in the Church so important?

The believers were one in heart and mind (verse 32): they had the same faith in their hearts, and the same belief in their minds.

When Jesus was with His disciples, He prayed to the Father for them, saying; “I will no longer remain in the world, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name, the name You gave me, so that they may be one as We are one” (John 17:11).

Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, and God answered that prayer by sending the Holy Spirit to unite all believers. The Holy Spirit brings us together and makes us one in Jesus.

It is only when we are one through our love for Jesus and for each other that we can:

• Help each other grow in our faith (1 Corinthians 14:26)

• Worship and glorify God with one heart (Romans 15:5-6)

• Pray with power (Matthew 18:19)

• Give an offering that is pleasing to God (Matthew 5:23-24)

• Witness for Jesus with the right attitude (Philippians 1:15)

• Do good deeds in a meaningful way (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Verse for today

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3