A little while back I received a copy of a monthly newsletter which also contained an article about how the early church lived together as a believers. Reading this article inspired me to study some more about some of the points which were only briefly mentioned there and to put this study in a form usable in our church newsletter as well.
The early church in the 1st century BC experienced at first a tremendous growth in many aspects, as concerning the individual believers' walks, as concerning the life of the church as a whole, as concerning the spreading of the gospel of Christ, etc. The life of the church was characterized by a great vitality and genuine enthusiasm for those things which God had worked and was continuing to work in the lives of the believers who were part of the church. They recognized the great truth that the Christian church is one big family, and each one supplied and fulfilled their duty as a member of the whole in order to provide what was needed and to contribute to the edification of the body, the edification of the church.
The believers enjoyed a tremendous unity amongst each other because they made themselves available to each other with great dedication and helped each other to the degree and in the measure in which it was possible for each individual member in that body. This made possible for them that indeed all could together and in unity praise God in a wonderful way and give Him honour in all things.
Unfortunately, this situation was not a lasting one, and we learn from later writings of the apostle Paul (his epistles to Timothy) that already at that time, which is only a few decades after the beginning of the Christian church at Pentecost, many things had changed and turned out for the worse. Instead of the unity and likemindedness seen displayed among the believers, now jealousy, hatred, envy and disagreements were spreading and caused divisions within the church. Believers were judging one another, criticizing others and fighting with each other, and the loving care from before which they had had for one another and the zeal for likemindedness was replaced. The church developed more and more into "biting and devouring one another" which led to that which Paul already had spoken of in Galatians 5:15 – "they were consumed of one another".
What had been a powerful and dynamic church just a few years earlier, where the zeal and aim had been directed toward serving God and living the Word of God, very quickly became lifeless and powerless "Christian religion".
This was certainly not the result of godly thinking on the part of the believers, rather it was the result of the influences of the adversary who had been successful via the works of the flesh, such as envy, jealousy, fightings, etc. to cause divisions within the church by which he desired to obstruct the real great goal of the church: Praising God united and with one mouth!
The right state of affairs in the early time of the Christian church is expressed repeatedly in the book of Acts in places where the term "of one accord" or being "of one mind" is used. This term, which we want to consider in some more detail in this study, is a translation of the Greek word homothumadon. This word consists of homo and thumos; these two words mean "same"“ and "will, wish, desire, wrath, courage, mind, etc." The word describes a state of being of "the same mind, the same will, same desire, same longing, etc." The word is used a total of 12 times in the NT, 11 times in Acts, and once in Romans.
In a certain way we could draw a comparison to an orchestra which plays under the direction of its conductor a big symphony where the various instruments each play different tones and melodies, but where then all together do play the same piece of music, the same symphony. As we consider this in relation to the church, we could speak of each member of the church works together for a big whole under the direction of God via His Word and his holy spirit, all leading up giving praise and honour to God.
This of course is the exact opposite of divisions, jealous envying, fighting and the like. As the church functions correctly, all contribute to the well being of the whole, and no one is just concerned with themselves, rather every one watches out for the other members.
At first, I would like to rea several of the passages in Acts where this word is used.
Acts 1:14:
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
This verse speaks of the disciples and what they did in those days between the ascension and Pentecost. They continued with one accord in prayer and in supplication, and this included also women participating. All were awaiting the fulfillment of the words of Jesus which he had spoken just prior to this about the coming of the holy spirit.
Acts 2:1:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Here we read of 11 apostles plus Matthias who had been numbered with them, and they all were with one accord in one place on this day of Pentecost, the place being the temple area in Jerusalem. They did not just each go their separate ways, do each their separate things as they liked – no, they had each subjected themselves to another matter and they were all with one accord gathered on that day in one place. They all received on that day the promised gift of holy spirit which was poured out on Pentecost.
Acts 2:46 and 47:
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,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. …
These verses describe for us in form of a conclusion or summary what happened in the newly founded church in the time shortly after Pentecost. The believers met and continued daily with one accord for different occasions, in the temple or also breaking bread, i.e. eating meals together in someone's home. A great and important matter in reference to the "being of one accord", and one about which there seems to have been unity of mind, is mentioned now as well: They praised God!
Acts 4:24:
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:
Peter and John had just been released from prison and were reporting to the believers gathered what had happened; which in turn then caused them to lift up their voices to God with one accord! All their desires, all their wishes in this matter was the same, and it didn't have much to do with themselves and their own needs. Their view was directed toward God and how God would now work in their lives and in their situations. Yes, there were different people who prayed, but they were all with one accord about what they were praying for. They gave God the glory and lifted their voice together to him, to ask of Him favor and blessing and to request of Him that He would grant all of them boldness to speak His Word.
Acts 5:12:
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.
Once again we can recognize from these words that the early church seemingly assembled regularly and how they met on a regular basis. Of course , they all still lived in about the same place, in the city of Jerusalem, which made it perhaps a bit easier for them to get together daily. But still, a daily meeting did not just happen by itself, it was necessary that the believers planned and that they each regarded this as important in their own hearts, else they would not have participated.
Acts 7:57:
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
This verse of course is not speaking directly of the believers of the church, the expression "with one accord" is used in a completely different context.
The Jews, who had not liked at all the speech of Stephen were the ones who were of one mind in this instance and who acted "with one accord" when they ran upon Stephen and finally killed him by stoning. In this we can see the passion, the wrath, the emotional charge they had and which is employed when this word is used in the text. The Jews didn't just agree in a dry and uninvolved manner, nodding their heads toward one another, they instead acted in absolute conviction and were involved with their whole being.
Acts 8:6:
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Philip was preaching the Word of God in Samaria, and he also did some miracles in the course of events. The people did not just remain untouched by this, instead a marvellous reaction is recorded here. They gave heed with one accord unto the things which Philip spoke as they heard and saw the miracles which happened! All were touched by what happened right in front of their eyes and ears, they were all equally touched and all got involved by giving heed with one accord to Philip's preaching.
Acts 12:20:
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
This verse as well does not deal directly with the believers of the church, but rather with a different group of people. King Herod had not been very favorable toward the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon, and in an attempt to avert a greater disaster, the people of those cities got together and came to him with one accord. Again, this "with one accord" obviously means more than just being of one opinion in a certain matter. They were of one opinion, yes, and it showed itself in what they did, that they then came unto the king with one accord in order to present their petition together.
Acts 15:24 and 25:
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:
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Here we read about the assembly of the elders and apostles at Jerusalem at a time when a controversy about the keeping of the statutes of the Law had arisen. After they had discussed the matter in detail, finally an agreement was reached and they put together a letter from all of them which then was to be sent and given to those churches concerned. In this letter those who had been present are confirming that they were assembled "with one accord" which would indicate that they had arrived together at a decision and that they were standing together to uphold this decision.
Acts 18:12:
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
This is another verse where the "of one accord" is not referring to the church, but rather to those who were its enemies instead. The Jews in Achaia got together and unitedly appeared before the deputy making insurrection with one accord against Paul, thinking that perhaps this way they would be able to convince Gallio and get him to arrest and condemn Paul. Working together, they obviously figured that their chances would be better than if they all appeared individually before the deputy.
Acts 19:29:
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
This last place in Acts also deals with those who are working against the church. Here there was "confusion" in the whole city, a multitude of people who were rushing into the public theatre in one accord. This whole procedure was a serious threat and danger for Paul and especially his companions. These people didn't just go out in the street and were standing around watching and listening what a few others were saying – no; they were excited, full of anger and emotionally charged up as they were rushing in one accord to the theatre where the desired spectacle was to occur.
The different places in Acts give a vivid picture of the meaning and the usage of this word homothumadon. The deeply rooted inner involvement of each participant in a matter is perhaps seen most in those passages which do not speak of the believers but those who were their enemies.
As far as the church and its unity of mind is concerned, Acts 2:46,47 still give us as a summary and conclusion of a church life in accordance with the will of God a shining example.
Acts 2:46 and 47:
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,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The Lord added to the church such as should be saved. The believers in Christ Jesus were added to the church by the lord. He added again and again to the church, and that way the church increased and grew.
All in the church lived to the praise and the glory of God, in order to praise God in their body. This was, as we can see here in Acts 2:47 as well, the main aim of their walk of life and their unity in one accord.
The church in its early stages of growth gathered daily and they were together daily. They obviously had a desire and the wish to be with each other, they had fixed their eyes on being able to praise God together and to magnify Him. Their view was not directed toward themselves or on any other believer as independent of the others, rather they saw the church in a magnificent position.
They assembled daily on the temple in one accord, which means that they had included such a meeting in the temple into their every day schedule. The temple was the place where everyone met during the regular hours of prayer. The believers obviously were seeking the opportunity to pray together, to praise God together and to honour Him together – in one accord and lifting their voices as with one mouth to God.
This basic idea is also emphasized in the last place in the New Testament where this word is used another time.
Romans 15:5 and 6:
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Once again we read in simple and very clear words which cannot really be misunderstood that praising and glorifying God is goal and aim of being likeminded and of one accord. Unity among each other makes possible a unified praise of God. What a great picture we are given once again. The likemindedness shows itself in the glorifying, the praise which is to be - even though coming from many mouths - a praise as "with one mind and one mouth.
May we too in our churches and in the different fellowships we are a part of remember these great truths and may we not try and be divisive, may we not cause new divisions, show jealousy and envy and talk bad about others. Let us set our eyes on God, our heavenly Father, because it is He who can give and make that we be likeminded one toward another in accordance with Christ Jesus. May we too come to know that God will give us to be likeminded one toward another as God gives us such unity and one accord so that we also can lift up our voices in one accord to praise him with one mind and one mouth and give him the glory and honour in the church which He deserves.