One Accord

I just finished reading the book of Acts. One phrase popped out at me throughout the book. It was “one accord.” Not a term we use often. But in Acts it occurs 11 times, at least in the New King James Version. In other versions I found these words: by common consent, completely together, sharing together, unanimously agreed, joined together. I guess the common thread here is “togetherness.”

Here are some examples:

Acts 1:14 (New King James Version) – These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

Acts 2:1 (NIV) – When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:46 (AMP) – Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes.

Acts 5:12 (The Message) – Through the work of the apostles, many God-signs were set up among the people, many wonderful things done. They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon.

I especially like the phrase “in remarkable harmony.” Unfortunately, it is remarkable and unusual to have such harmony in the body of Christ. But why? If we are all being led by the Spirit of God, we will be going the same direction. That doesn’t mean we won’t ever have a discussion or even an argument. With our human natures involved, there are always kinks to work out to be in agreement. And sometimes we have to “agree to disagree” as to how things are done. Even Paul had his challenges in this regard.

Here’s the blessed, amazing part, though. We are joined together in Christ. Because of Him, we are one body. Everything didn’t always go smoothly in the early church. Paul pled with the Corinthians to overcome their differences when he wrote, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10, NKJV). A good word for all of us, right? How sad when churches are split over unfortunate disagreements. I’ve been in such places. But I’ve also had the privilege of being in united bodies. What a beautiful difference.

I hope you have the opportunity to be with a body that is united “in one accord” and that you are doing all that you can to keep it that way. Ephesians 4:3 says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Are you doing your part?