by Rich Carlson

There was a close connection in the early Christian church between unity and focus. With those traits they flourished.

What was that group like? Listen to this description:

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need." (Acts 4:32-35)

These verses show me the early Christians had great teamwork!
We can see their unity here in these facts:

1.     "all the believers were in one heart and mind."

2.     "no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own."

3.     "they shared everything they had."

4.     "from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles feet."

5.     "(the money) was distributed to anyone as he had need."

Through the teamwork of the early church, people were blessed greatly.

1.     "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus."

2.     "Much grace was upon them all."

3.     "There were no needy persons among them."

Can we achieve such unity and focus? Can we help those in need, and gain power to share the love of Jesus? Is the Holy Spirit still at work in the church?

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.