THE ONE ACCORD CHURCH
(By Emerson Blythe)
TEXT:
(Phil 2:1-5 KJV) "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."
WE MARVEL AT THE GROWTH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH--THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH.
(Acts 2:41 KJV) "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."
(Acts 4:4 KJV) "Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand."
(Acts 5:14 KJV) "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)"
(Acts 13:45 KJV) "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming."
(Acts 14:1 KJV) "...a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed."
HOW DID THE EARLY CHURCH EXPERIENCE SUCH GROWTH?
--AND WHAT COULD WE DO TODAY TO IN SOME WAY DUPLICATE SUCH GROWTH?
ADMITTEDLY, THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH WAS "JUMP-STARTED" BY A NUMBER OF SUPERNATURAL FACTORS:
Direct operations of the Holy Spirit
Speaking in tongues
Divine healings, and other miracles
People smitten with blindness, or in a couple of cases even smitten with death.
THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN DUPLICATE THESE FIRST CENTURY PHENOMENON.
BUT THERE IS ONE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH THAT WE HAVE OVERLOOKED:
THEY OBSERVED THE ADMONITIONS OF OUR TEXT--AND THAT CAN BE DUPLICATED! --(Phil 2:2-5 KJV) "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."
TODAY, I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME INSTANCES OF THE WAYS THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH WAS OF ONE ACCORD.
BEING OF ONE ACCORD IS A SIGNIFICANT CHARACTERISTIC.
DICTIONARY: ACCORD: \e-'kord\ vb [ME, fr. OF acorder, fr. (assumed) VL accordare, fr. L ad- + cord-, cor heart _ more at heart ] vt (12c) 1 : to bring into agreement : reconcile 2 : to grant or give esp. as appropriate, due, or earned ~ vi 1 archaic : to arrive at an agreement 2 obs : to give consent 3 : to be consistent or in harmony : agree syn see grant 2 accord n [ME, fr. OF acort, fr. acorder ] (14c) 1 a : agreement, conformity <acted in ~ with the company's policy> b : a formal reaching of agreement : compact, treaty 2 : balanced interrelationship : harmony 3 obs : assent 4 : voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act <gave generously of their own ~>
Interestingly enough, the only other times the term "ONE ACCORD" is used in the New Testament, other than in our text, is in the book of Acts!
1. THEY PREPARED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH WITH ONE ACCORD.
JESUS HAD TOLD THEM: (Luke 24:49-51 KJV) "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. {50} And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. {51} And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."
(Acts 1:10-14 KJV) "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; {11} Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. {12} Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. {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."
They were in ONE ACCORD WITH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION awaiting the power from on High. We know what prayer is. Supplication defined: to supplicate vi (15c) : to make a humble entreaty; esp : to pray to God ~ vt 1 : to ask humbly and earnestly of 2 : to ask for earnestly and humbly syn see beg _ supplication \,se-ple-'ka-shen\ n
2. WHEN THE TIME CAME, THEY WERE STILL IN ONE ACCORD.
(Acts 2:1-4 KJV) "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
3. AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH, THE MULTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES WERE STILL OF ONE ACCORD.
(Acts 2:41-47 KJV) "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. {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. {44} And all that believed were together, and had all things common; {45} And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. {46} And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {47} Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
4. WHEN TROUBLE CAME, THE EARLY CHURCH PRAYED IN ONE ACCORD.
When Peter and John had been arrested, threatened and released: (Acts 4:23-35 KJV) "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: {25} Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? {26} The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. {27} For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, {28} For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. {29} And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, {30} By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. {31} And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. {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. {34} Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, {35} And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."
I am not sure how they all lifted up their voice with one accord in prayer to God. It seems they were praying in unison. Was one man leading the prayer, and the congregation repeating after him? Were they all speaking together? At any rate, they were praying with one accord. And God heard and answered!
5. AFTER THE DEATH OF ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA THE BONDAGE WAS STRENGTHENED.
(Acts 5:11-14 KJV) "And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. {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.)"
6. AS THE PERSECUTION CONTINUED, SO DID THE UNITY.
(Acts 8:4-6 KJV) "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. THEN THERE WAS TROUBLE IN THE YOUNG CHURCH. JUDIAZING TEACHERS BEGAN TO BIND CIRCUMCISION AND PARTS OF THE LAW OF MOSES ON THE EARLY CHURCH.
The Jerusalem conference repaired the division and brought the church back to "One Accord."
After much disputing, the Bible says James arose and said, (Acts 15:19-23 KJV) "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: {20} But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. {21} For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. {22} Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: {23} And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia."
(Acts 15:24-29 KJV) "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: {25} It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, {26} Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. {27} We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. {28} For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; {29} That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."
We are taught to do our best to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: (Eph 4:1-3 KJV) "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, {2} With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; {3} Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
We feel that it is so hard to be of one accord today, with all the troubles and distractions that we encounter. Yet the early church was no different. In fact, many of their troubles and distractions would make ours pale as nothing in comparison. Yet they managed to to be "of one accord," and so can we.
(Mat 12:25 KJV) "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."
There is strength in harmony and togetherness. There is weakness in discord. (John 17:20-21 KJV) "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; {21} That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
THE BEST WAY TO BE RIGHT WITH OUR FELLOW MAN IS FOR US TO ALL BE RIGHT WITH GOD! --CAN WE ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THINGS RIGHT WITH GOD TODAY?
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