Thursday: The Holy Spirit Unites the Church in Mission and Service
Read Acts 2:4-11, Acts 2:16-21. What was the result of the Holy Spirit’s being poured out on the New Testament believers?
The Holy Spirit was responsible for the most powerful missionary outreach that history had witnessed to that point. God can do more through a small group that is united in their devotion to Him than He can through a large group divided in their loyalties. But God can do even greater things when we all have devoted our lives and our energies, our talents and our resources, to Him.
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
Out of the unity in life and mission of the believers grew the New Testament church. A small and timid group of believers was changed into a powerful troop that became an effective tool that reached people from many different cultures and languages. They were united in proclaiming “the mighty deeds of God” (Acts 2:11, NASB). The same God who was active in New Testament times will be active at the end of time, when the work needs to be finished before He comes again.
Read Acts 2:42-47. In what other things were the New Testament believers united?
The Pentecost mission enterprise was accompanied by a number of other factors where the early church stood united. They were united in Bible study and continually devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). They were united in fellowship and the breaking of bread, possibly a reference to united worship (Acts 2:42). They were united in prayer (Acts 2:42) and in praising God (Acts 2:47). They were united in serving those in need when they freely shared what they possessed and had all things in common (Acts 2:44-45). United Bible study and fellowship will result in the desire to share the good news with others and to help others in very practical ways. The Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the needs of those around us.
| What activities in your local church help reveal the unity of your church? What more could be done? |
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The New Testament believers actually showed us the will of God. They sought God's Kingdom first (Mathew 6:33) and practiced what Jesus said. This verse has enlightened me to seek him first, to do His will and serve him. If I can have the heart like that of the believers in New Testament Church. God will me mightily.
Unity in mission is a great need for me personally, and for the fellowship /church I am part of. May God enable me, and us. Today's message speaks to me.
The Pentecost mission enterprise was accompanied by a number of other factors where the early church stood united. They were united in Bible study and continually devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). They were united in fellowship and the breaking of bread, possibly a reference to united worship (Acts 2:42). They were united in prayer (Acts 2:42) and in praising God (Acts 2:47). They were united in serving those in need when they freely shared what they possessed and had all things in common (Acts 2:44-45). United Bible study and fellowship will result in the desire to share the good news with others and to help others in very practical ways. The Holy Spirit will open our eyes to the needs of those around us.
Thank you Harriet for the powerful verses.
Unity is a very important element in any setting. We see Ananias and the wife perish for causing discord/disunity. What a Gracious Father we have who is patiently waiting for all those who have not embraced this, He wants to save us. UNITY UNITY UNITY. The cry for a united church, united nation, united tribe, united family. It begins at the individual level if we all would let the Holy Spirit take the lead. God wants us all united and this is possible if we LET HIM IN.
When the church works as a group we can see that united strenght can lead much further. There is a current costum in ours that seems to represent this a little. People take about 7-10 days to work in a carefully studied community! We call it a mission! A full choir of young people and several members go along. It's a good taste of the pouring of the Spirit. The impact of this action is left for months, hopefully years!
Interesting thought! We are not united because we believe the same, worship or praise the same, or even serve God the same! We are united because we are devoted to Jesus and His Spirit unites us because we all love the same Father! WOW!! WooHoo!!
The photo shows human hands and no face. EGW stated this:
"Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally; therefore it was altogether for their advantage that He should leave them, go to His father, and send the Holy Spirit to be His successor on earth. The Holy Spirit is Himself divested of the personality of humanity and independent thereof. He would represent Himself as present in all places by His Holy Spirit, as the Omnipresent. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall (although unseen by you), [This phrase was added by Ellen White.] teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” [John 14:26]. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will come not unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you” [John 16:7]. { 14MR 23.3 }
Only unity bring together Ness we have to study his words and humble ourselves and we will receive the Holy Spirit
Coming together as believers in God and allowing the Holy Spirit to break down walls of separation is almost a cliche, but it's desperately needed today.
Simple things show our allegence is still in this world. Things like racial division, competition, favoritism, placing high value on appearance and dishonesty thwart unity. It's hard to give our material goods for the enhancement of the work of God and be covetous at the same time. It's hard to be on one accord when there are biases and cultural 'norms' we keep firmly in place.
The solution is being totally devoted to God and His cause. How is this really accomplished? Through His Spirit...when we withhold nothing from Him for His use in furthering the gospel.
we are living in the last days were we need to be united as Gods family, we need to be devoted to God, stop jealousy, selfishness,envy, boasting, pride, adultery and many other evil devices as children of GOD and claim the holy spirit for our salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Hi HSS members. I'm from Madagascar. thanks a lot for sharing God's love. I've understood that The Holy Spirit participates a lot for builting a church. God bless you.
we should be united as holy spirit and father