Would you like to see a movement of the gospel? I sure would! What follower of Jesus wouldn’t want to see the Good News of Christ spread like wildfire?
Recently I’ve been reading through the book of Acts, and right from the start, this book shows a gospel that is on the move. In fact, the first five chapters reveal that “multitudes of men and women were constantly added” to those being saved (Acts 5:14). How did this happen? What caused such an amazing movement of the gospel?
I don’t claim to be an expert in gospel movements, but when I read Acts, I see a few key factors that allowed for massive growth of the early church. Without a doubt, the name of Jesus was being proclaimed and the Holy Spirit was at work in powerful ways. But you know what else caught my attention as a key factor? Togetherness.
Jesus gathered the apostles together to commission them as his witnesses (Acts 1:1-8).
The apostles and other disciples were together in one place when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
After Peter’s first sermon, thousands came to know the Lord, and they “were together and had all things in common” (Acts 2:37-47).
Peter and John were arrested after healing a lame man, and upon their release, “the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 4:1-31).
The first movement of the gospel did not take place with several individuals acting independently of one another. Rather, believers coexisting together was a necessary element that empowered the spread of the Good News. Yet here is another observation that caught my attention: the togetherness of those early believers was not limited to a weekly worship gathering. Being together meant something much more deep and profound. Here are two key ways that the early church lived out togetherness: they were together in spirit, and they were together in place.
First, the early disciples were together in spirit. Acts says that they were with one mind (Acts 1:14; 2:46), with one accord (Acts 4:24; 5:12), and of one heart and soul (Acts 4:32). This unity revealed itself in multiple ways. They were of one mind in their prayers, in listening to the apostles’ teaching, in sharing meals, and in making sure everyone’s physical needs were taken care of. In fact, “they were continually devoting themselves” to these things (Acts 2:42). No wonder the church grew so rapidly! This togetherness, in combination with the authority of Jesus’ name and the power of the Holy Spirit, was a profound witness that God was at work.
Secondly, the early disciples were together in place. We might tend to overlook this aspect of togetherness, but it is an important one. By together in place, I mean that these followers of Jesus lived in proximity to one another. They lived in the same neighborhood; their local community was one and the same. This shared physical space allowed the church to live out their faith together, which consequently turned their entire community on its head. Seeing such unity lived out on a daily basis compelled people to want to know this Jesus who was inspiring it all. As my friend once said, “Living as Christ’s body together with others in the neighborhood is a ‘living letter’ that shares the multifaceted reality of the Good News.”
So let me ask you again: Would you like to see a movement of the gospel?
We cannot force God to work when and where we want. However, as we share the name of Jesus and ask for the Spirit to move, we can begin to learn how to live together with other followers of Christ. Our American society does not make this easy. In a culture that prides itself on independence, living together with other disciples in both spirit and in place might seem nearly impossible. But our God does not despise small beginnings. Let’s start small by praying for big things:
Triune God, I want to see the name of Jesus lifted up. I long for Your Good News to spread throughout my community and transform it for Your glory. Begin to show me who in this place loves Your Name and give me the courage to get to know them. Awaken Your people here and use us as conduits for Your gospel to flow freely. Amen.
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