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 all they owned had been given to them by God.
The apostles' message spread everywhere as they taught the truths they had learned from Jesus and preached about His death and resurrection.
Because the believers cared for one another, no one among them was in need. Some believers even sold their houses and land and gave the money to the apostles so they could help the poor.
Why is unity in the Church so important?
The believers were one in heart and mind (verse 32). They shared the same faith in their hearts and the same beliefs 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 (Ephesians 4:4–6). The Holy Spirit brings us together and makes us one in Jesus.
It is through our love for Jesus and for one another that we can work together in unity to:
Help each other grow in our faith (1 Corinthians 14:26)
Worship and glorify God with one heart (Romans 15:5–6)
Pray together in agreement (Matthew 18:19)
Give offerings that are pleasing to God (Matthew 5:23–24)
Encourage one another to do good deeds (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
