How can we apply the unity of the twelve men in our church? A Snapshot of Biblical Unity “After this, they were all baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:5-7) Shared New Birth—Our First Bond • All twelve received the same gospel and responded in the same way. • Romans 10:12-13—“For there is no difference between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all….” • Application: Keep the new-birth testimony central. At every gathering, rehearse grace stories, celebrate baptisms, and remind each other of the one foundation—Christ alone. Filled by One Spirit • Acts 19:6 ties their unity to the Spirit’s filling. • 1 Corinthians 12:13—“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body….” Practical steps: – Begin meetings with brief, Scripture-rooted dependence on the Spirit. – Encourage every member to use Spirit-given gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11). – Correct error and comfort sorrow through Spirit-led counsel, not mere opinion. Learning Together Under Sound Doctrine • Paul first taught; then unity followed. Truth anchors fellowship. • Ephesians 4:13—“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God….” • Create settings for whole-church Bible intake: – Expositional preaching shared by elders. – Inter-generational studies where seniors and youth open the same passage. – Memorization challenges that the entire body does together. Serving Side by Side • Twelve men, one mission in Ephesus. • Philippians 1:27—“…standing firm in one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.” Concrete ideas: – Pair seasoned believers with newer ones on outreach visits. – Rotate ministry teams so gifts intertwine. – Celebrate collective wins (e.g., service projects) publicly each Lord’s Day. Guarding Each Other Through Accountability • Unity is preserved, not assumed (Ephesians 4:3). • Practical guardrails: – Covenant membership that spells out mutual responsibilities. – Small groups of three-to-five for confession and prayer (James 5:16). – Swift, gentle restoration when sin appears (Galatians 6:1-2). Worshiping with One Voice • Acts 2:46-47 shows early believers “continuing with one mind.” • Tips for unified worship: – Scripture reading in unison reinforces shared truth. – Incorporate hymns and modern songs that exalt Christ, not personalities. – Leave space for testimonies, reinforcing that “we” are singing, not just the platform. Living as a Public Witness • John 17:21—Jesus links our oneness to the world’s belief. • Visibly display unity by: – Participating in community events as a single church body. – Offering practical help—meals, repairs, tutoring—under the church’s name, not individuals’. – Keeping internal disagreements private, resolved biblically, avoiding social-media spectacle. Continual Dependence on Grace • Unity is maintained “by the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10). • Encourage constant gratitude: start and end meetings recounting mercies received. • When conflicts rise, return to the cross where every believer stands on equal footing. In imitating the twelve of Acts 19:7—saved, Spirit-filled, instructed, and active—we cultivate a church where oneness is both a gift and a testimony, drawing others to the same Lord who made us one. |
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