ONE HEART, ONE SOUL

Text: Acts 4
6 February 2011

(I) DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

1. They were discipled together by the Lord Jesus

2. They forged a strong bond with each other over the years

a) Friendship

b) Fellowship

c) Ministry

(II) DEMONSTRATION OF ONENESS IN THE FIRST CHURCH

1. Commencement of the first Church system

2. Commitment to fulfil the Command of the Lord Jesus to bear witness for Him

3. Convening Prayer Meeting(s) (Acts 1:14)

(III) DYNAMIC GROWTH IN THE CHURCH

1. Charter membership: 120 people (Acts 1:15)

2. Surge of members: 3000 people added (Acts 2:41)

3. Further growth: 5000 men (not counting the women and children) (Acts 4:4)

(IV) DETERMINATION TO PRACTISE ONENESS

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul, neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” Acts 4:32

1. Despite being a “multitude”

a) Logistically difficult to have oneness

b) Socially difficult to maintain oneness

c) Spiritual challenge to the church

2. Discipline of the believers who formed the Church

a) One heart

b) One soul

c) All things in common

(V) OUR CHALLENGE

1. Encouragement to believe that it is possible to have oneness

2. Exhortation to practise this special sense of oneness