Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Four

Reading through the book of Acts helps us understand how the early church, ekklesia, developed their values. They’re our pattern, even today, especially how they treated the poor. After Pentecost (Acts 2) everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly stood up to preach, and everyone’s heart was pierced with a sense of humility and repentance. This group of people, a missional community, became unified and devoted to understanding what God required of them. Bible teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer became the cornerstone values for the church. 

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. Acts 2:44-45

What does that mean, ‘they had all things in common’? Three words from that passage jump out to me: common, distributing, and need. The word common means they lovingly and generously shared what they had; their new, Spirit-filled desire became focused on helping others and partnering in their community. The Spirit filled their hearts and His generosity became a catalyst springing them into action to become partners in the ministry as Jesus had demonstrated.

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Luke 5:10b

Jesus expects the same partnership with Him, like fishing, when we share the gospel but also, when we follow the Spirit’s lead to partnering with others and distributing or sharing with the needy. It’s said that we should ‘share the gospel and use words when necessary’ … good works show our faith, sometimes more strongly than our words.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:14-18 

Jesus’ half-brother, James, had undoubtedly been a follower of Christ and seriously understood the value of serving those in need. The Lord demonstrated servanthood and encouraged us to follow His lead; He didn’t come to be served but to serve (Matt. 20:28). If we’re to be an Acts Church then we need to follow their lead of devotion by not only having good Bible teaching, fellowship pot lucks, Holy Communion, and prayer groups, but also be willing to serve those in need in our church and outside in our community. Let’s partner with Jesus and share the gospel, using words when necessary.