We are continuing to look at reasons that the early church seemed to have more power and authority than the church in America. In Acts 4:32-33 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. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." In addition to the unity of the early church, they possessed great compassion for each other. Jesus walked in compassion toward His people and the early church had the same genuine concern for each other. They did not see their possessions as their own; instead, they were willing to part with them for the common good. Many times today, church members fight with each other over silly differences and then wonder why they don't see the glory of God in their services.
Matthew Henry's Commentary stated: "The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be so again, when the Spirit shall be poured upon us from on high." If we want to see the Holy Spirit poured out again, we need to practice compassion on our fellow believers. We need to give them the benefit of the doubt on issues not mandated by the Scriptures; we should extend grace to them the way grace has been provided to us. Having compassion is more than helping out with money (although it certainly includes financial assistance when needed), it comes from our hearts when we really care for others.
Today, examine your community of believers. Is there genuine compassion among them? If not, what can you do to change that? If there is compassion, what can you do to make it better? Go back and read Acts chapter 4 again and see the link between unity and compassion and the power of God in their midst. He is the same God. Are we the same church?
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