10/09/18 NEED TO RENEW OLD POINT OF VIEW
NEEDED: The attitude, disposition of openness, surrender, humility, honesty, love during worship, study, fellowship, as it is recorded in the New Testament.
JUST A FEW PASSAGES
These are just a few passages that point out the importance of believers joining together with mutual respect and humility, and focusing on one purpose. The end results of these gatherings are just as needed today as they were in the Early Church. The particulars of God's manifestation is not a cookie cutter response, but the major principle is the same.
For instance, as the Disciples gathered on the Day of Pentecost, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, resulting in their hearts being purified, as we are told in Acts 25:8-9. The cloven tongues of fire and the sound of a rushing mighty wind and the disciples speaking in other languages were peculiar to that one time event, but the common and repeated reality was the infilling of the Holy Spirit that purifies the heart of the believer.
Likewise, in the other passages, there are some specific manifestations or events that took place, but we should also see the abiding and continuing manifestation that will be present when modern day believers meet together with single mindedness.
I will give the passage and then mention the common and continuing result of believers being together in one mind.
Acts 1:13-14
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
God answered their prayer and led them in appointing people to fill ministry positions.
Acts 2:1
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
The Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers and their hearts were purified.
Acts 2:42-43
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
God moved on the community and in the hearts of believers, bringing the unsaved to repentance.
Acts 4:23-24
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
God encouraged and enabled believers to stand faithfully in the face of persecution.
Acts 4:32-33
32 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.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
The selfless commitment and unity, which is natural to the spiritual body of Christ (but not always present or seen), was a public witness to the power of Christ and a channel through which God appealed to the community.
Acts 5:12-14
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
When the people of God are focused on Christ, obedient to His word, submissive to His leadership and in agreement with one another, then the community senses the power and authority of God and becomes more responsive to Him and His message.
Acts 8:4-8
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.
When believers are of one mind and totally committed to the work that God has assigned us, then we venture out in faith to do the Lord's work, in the Lord's way and the Holy Spirit does the extraordinary and the miraculous.
Romans 15:1-7
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
When believers humble themselves and surrender to the will of God and sacrifice themselves in service to other people, we are conformed to the image of Jesus and we do the works of Christ.
Philippians 1:25-30
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Unity in the faith with fellow believers produces joy, faith, Christ likeness,which is socially evident and courage in face of danger imparting grace to suffer for the sake of Christ.
Philippians 2:1-5
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Humility and self denying service to God and others, with a loving and eager mindset, begets even more of the mind of Christ in the midst of His people.
