One Heart, One Soul: Having All Things In Common
Why did first century Christians want to have all things in common?
God says,
“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.”
Acts 4:32
Arguably, this was the time when the Christian church was at the height of it’s spiritual power and effectiveness. God’s saved people left and right did miracles of such magnitude as we have not seen for centuries were common place. Nothing could hold back the mighty move of God’s Spirit. This was the first fruits of God’s increase in the church age. It was a manifestation of the sons of God the likes of which the world has not seen since.
The power and demonstration of Acts is the gold standard
Acts is the measure by which we compare everything else in Christendom. It is what we aspire to. It is what we long for because it represents the presence of God in the midst of His people in a demonstrable, palpable way. In the first century church, even the shadow of saints could heal the sick among them. God was evident. God was real. Our Lord was near. Why? Because they were of one heart and one soul.
One heart, one soul
The scriptures states that first century believers were of one heart and one soul. The unity of “The Way” was because they were “one” with God. Our Father was in each and every one of them and thus they had one heart and soul because they were baptized into one Spirit. As they submitted to the one true God they naturally harmonized with each other because the love of God, His divine nature, flowed through each one of them like a river. The example of the church at Jerusalem shows us there is great power in unity.
God is one, therefore we are to be one
God is one and His heavenly kingdom is in perfect unity. Within the realm of God unity is not something aspired to, it is simply the way things always are. This is the natural order of the kingdom of heaven.
God says,
“Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:33
This is the type of attitude that puts God’s desires first and foremost. This is the type of thinking that promotes the kingdom of God before our own desires. Here is a truth,
“The body of Christ possesses everything it needs to do the work of the ministry here on earth…all we need to do is yield to God’s Divine Love.”
True unity
True unity comes from yielding to the will of the Holy Spirit and doing what He says when He says to do it. We cannot do anything of our selves because only God can do miracles.
God says,
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
Obviously, when people come together in the name of Jesus it presupposes that there is unity among them. As men and women connect to our head, Jesus Christ, we become unified. God is there, so we are of one heart and one soul. God loves harmony and that is an essential ingredient to any work we seek to do in him.
Yeah, but…
Right about now you may be saying to yourself, “yeah, I agree with that….but!”
You may be thinking of all the times that people wronged you when you put yourself out there. Perhaps you might be listing all the reasons why unity can’t come from the people that you know. You might be telling yourself that unity can’t possibly become a reality in God’s church based on years of personal disappointment that says otherwise. However, here is a truth,
“Unity does not come from our efforts, unity comes through God’s Spirit living in us. We don’t have to do anything but yield to the One who can do all things.”
Likewise, the truth is,
“Sin shattered mankind, therefore unity cannot come from us. Unity will only come from the shared spiritual experience of Tabernacles which is God’s divine nature manifested “in” and “through” us.
Mankind has a fallen nature, therefore, unity cannot come from ourselves. However, God’s very nature is unity and He is about to come down from heaven and infuse us with His nature. God predestines us, through yielding to His Holy Spirit, to be of one heart and one soul. All believers will speak with one voice through submission, in real life, to one God.
The unity of the Spirit is a “separate” and “distinct” spiritual experience. Jesus told believers to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, The Holy Spirit fills believers with His Divine Love. In fact, what the Holy Spirit began on the day of Pentecost culminates in the Tabernacle experience. The feast of Divine Love is about to take place at the end of the church age. Pentecost was the feast of first fruits whereas Tabernacles is the feast of in-gathering the final harvest.
With one heart, we are well able to take this land
I solemnly testify to all those who read my words that the unity of the Body of Christ is not only possible it is inevitable. The Tabernacle experience, that will make this a reality, is available for anyone who will seek it. It is a good gift that our Father wishes to freely give to anyone who asks. That gift is nothing less than His divine nature expressing itself through us as heavenly love.
finally, Paul writes about the Tabernacle Experience,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Amen.
Dear Michael King,
Thank you for your willingness to discuss this subject.
Acts 2 is not complicated, but you left out the main demonstration that the early church had. Because they were One Heart and One Soul, no one said that ought of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had All Things Common, Acts 2:44-46, repeated in Acts 4:32-35. It was not Jim Jones idea, it was the clear Way that the Holy Spirit, which they’d just received, guided them to live, As ONE, fulfilling our Savior’s Heart’s Desire for us to be made Perfect, In One, John 17:21-23.
How is it that you left this critical part out, when it is so clearly demonstrated in the scripture? As our Savior said, in Matt. 6, “Where your treasure is, there will your Heart be also.” This is why MONEY IS THE TEST. The rich young ruler couldn’t pass the test, can we?” How many times did our Savior describe His Kingdom as something worth selling EVERYTHING for? Matt. 13: 44-46…Treasure in the field, Luke 12:…sell all that you have, Luke 14…forsake all the be my disciple.
Clearly mainstream Christianity has rejected The Way and Unity, and Power that the Early Church walked in. Where are the Few who have nothing else to live for but the Kingdom of Heaven? Where are some Few who do not reject the Baptism of Fire, including diversities of tongues (Acts 2, Acts 10, Acts 19, 1 Cor. 12:28, 1 Cor. 14), but who also have not cut the last 6 verses of Acts 2 out of their Bibles?
I am desperately searching for my People, my Tribe, who desire to Seek an Upper Room experience Together, and Live Together, Eat Together, Work Together, as demonstrated by the Early Church. Peace
Edward
daysofnoah7(at)mail(dot)com
Dear Anon,
Thank you for writing, I appreciate it. It always helps when others express their views and share their ideas. Many people read the comments.
I sense your frustration and desire to live a unified and holy life with others of the faith. I think that many share that same yearning.
Having all things in common is only possible as a direct result of the profound presence of the Holy Spirit. Without Him being amongst us and leading us to be one, it is not possible. Many have tried in themselves and all have failed. In the coming move of God many things will be possible that are not able to be realized now. It will be a quick work, like packing for an extended trip. In the mean time, if you want to work while it is yet day, let me know and we can talk further.
Big hugs and lots of love,
Michael