The Book of Acts provides us with multiple lessons in one another living. The church was young and growing miraculously since the historical day at Pentecost. Thousands believed. Many were healed. Some died for His name’s sake and some died for forsaking His name.
As the fledgling church expanded throughout Judea, growing pains challenged from within and persecution threatened from without. During this time, the newborn church did not have any new inspired writings being shared between churches. The letters we have today written by Peter, Paul, and others had yet to be penned and delivered throughout the region. These newest of new believers had only just begun to be organized and most of that was in Jerusalem. The surrounding towns and villages depended on word of mouth testimony about this new Way.
There was no precedent to follow, no written instructions or answers to the myriad of questions that swirled throughout this new family of God. These new believers desperately needed each other. Often it really was a matter of life or death.
The ever expanding body of Christ took the world by storm because of their unyielding faith in their Savior, the power given by the Holy Spirit, and by their love for one another. Their acts of service to one another demonstrated radical living. Their sacrifices of resources for those in need toppled cultural barriers, and the persecution they endured together, even to death, declared the gospel in living color.
There weren’t any weekend Bible conferences or tract distribution programs. There were no five-piece bands, smoke machines, or giant inflatables. All they had were love distribution lifestyles, selfless standards of living, and love-filled one another relationships. One has to ask the question: do our modern programs and devices really work better than the love displayed by the early church?
It is true Peter did many miracles and Paul was turning out to be one amazing preacher, but without the love shared between these early disciples, all that would have been like noisy gongs and clanging cymbals. Between the hypocrisy of their religious leaders and the tyranny of their Roman oppressors, these early disciples didn’t need any more pious noise or tyrannical clanging. What they did need was profoundly changed lives demonstrating a radical new life of loving in Christ. And that is what they got.
Today, we are amazed when we read about the 3000 converted at Pentecost. And we sit in awe as our pastor tells the story of Peter’s second sermon when 5000 men plus women and children were saved. But let’s not forget: things weren’t perfect even from the start. A complaint arose from the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews. Their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food (Acts 6:1b). This was not an intentional neglect; it was simply an oversight on the part of the Apostles as they tried to keep up with the Holy Spirit and the daily growth spurts in the body of Christ. So, Stephen and six others were chosen to lead in the practical administration of physical needs while the Apostles kept focused on prayer and studying the Word (Old Testament).
Praise God this type of multiplication, man trying to keep up with the Holy Spirit, is still happening all around the world in our generation. Underground churches in Asia and the Middle East continue to expand and they plead for us to send Bibles so they may learn together in their huddled corners. This is hardly the norm in western churches where the emphasis is sometimes misplaced on hot coffee, fresh donuts, and comfortable seats. In general, western churches relegate meeting the bulk of human needs within their local body to government agencies and private non-profit organizations.
As a whole, we have willingly, over many decades, relinquished taking care of one another to our local, state, and federal governments. After all, isn’t that what we pay taxes for? I believe part of this shift is due to the massive government intrusion on private citizens just trying to help each other out. Local churches fear lawsuits and even prosecution. Add on the cost of meeting the volumes of government regulations, and the idea of feeding the poor goes out the proverbial red tape window.
Unfortunately, these agencies are not allowed to do anything in Jesus’ name, let alone share His gospel message (if they even had an inclination to do so). Religious service groups cannot speak of Jesus if they take any government funding. They can mention God as long as they don’t try to proselytize anyone. And to make matters worse, our taxes also pay for many services that are in direct opposition to God. How far we have come from the days of the newborn Church!
But praise God! There are faint stirrings throughout our country to take back our early church roots. Congregations large and small are simplifying their lives. They are downsizing their homes and moving from isolated suburbia to neighborhoods that need them. They are selling or giving away their excess and using these resources to meet each other’s needs. They are taking care of the widows and adopting the orphans. They are meeting needs among their own and reaching out to those around them. As pilgrims in a foreign land, we are slowly remembering the value of one.
Discussion
What can you do today in your local church or community to walk alongside another person in a tangible and meaningful way?
One Another Living 