A generous witness is a unified witness. Are you pursuing unity, especially within the church? Let’s delve into the context. The believers of that time were encountering the early stages of persecution in the New Testament church. As they boldly preached in the name of Jesus Christ, they faced the Sanhedrin, enduring threats of imprisonment, beatings, and even death. Reflecting on this recent opposition, they returned to their community not seeking deliverance but praying for increased boldness. In response to their prayers, the Holy Spirit descended, shaking their meeting place.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31

Acts 4:31 sets the stage for the subsequent verses (32-37), offering a peek into the intimate life of the early church. Luke, the book’s author, transitions from the proclamation of the gospel to the demonstration of the gospel.

Unified in Heart and Mind: Acts 4:32 paints a picture of the believers’ unity: “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” This radical generosity wasn’t limited to a select few; it embraced the entire community of believers, numbering around 10,000+ at that time. This vividly demonstrates that the Christian life is a collective effort, akin to a battleship with all hands on deck.

Radical Practice of Sharing: The believers didn’t confine themselves to closed-off encampments or communes. They owned their belongings but lived in a gospel-driven community where sharing was a radical practice. True unity, as seen in the body of Christ, transcends individual preferences, creating a beautiful mosaic of diverse individuals united by love.

Recognition of God’s Ownership: Amid a world marked by consumeristic generosity, the early Christians recognized that everything they possessed belonged to God. Their unified witness stemmed from acknowledging that their clothes, money, and homes were ultimately God’s. This perspective contrasts sharply with the prevalent mindset of giving to receive.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32

Acts 4:32 suggests three ways to pursue unity:

1. Unified in Reverence for God: A shared heart and mind devoted to increasing love and devotion to God forms the foundation. This deepening fear of the Lord extends to an increasing love for one another, aligning with the greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-39.

Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

2. Unified in Recognition of God: Recognizing that everything belongs to God, including time, talent, and treasures, fosters a mindset that declares, “All I have is His.” This unified recognition is essential for a community living in accordance with God’s principles.

3.Unified in Responsibility Before God: When a brother or sister is in need, the entire church shares the obligation to meet that need. This reflects the biblical principle of sacrificial love, demonstrated by laying down one’s life for others.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

Conclusion: Acts 4 provides a profound illustration of a church unified in heart, mind, and purpose. The lessons drawn challenge us to embrace radical generosity and unity, recognizing that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God. As we navigate our Christian journey, let’s draw inspiration from the early church’s example, understanding that a generous and unified witness serves as a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the gospel.

 

The content of this article is drawn from a segment of the sermon titled “Radical Generosity in the Kingdom,” delivered by Jacob Blouse on January 21, 2024, at the Wilmington Church of Christ.