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." Today, we focus on the grace that was on the early church. The compassion and selflessness shown by the early church brought grace or favor to them from those they sought to reach.
The Barnes New Testament Commentary explains: "here is an instance of the power of the testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus to impress the minds of men. But this is not all, nor probably is it the main idea. It is that their union, their benevolence, their liberality in supplying the wants of the needy, was a means of opening the hearts of the people, and of winning them to the Saviour. If we wish to incline others to our opinions, or to bring them to be Christians, nothing is better adapted to it than to show them kindness, and even to minister to their temporal wants. Benevolence towards them softens the heart, and inclines them to listen to us. It disarms their prejudices, and disposes them to the exercise of the mild and amiable feelings of religion. Hence our Saviour was engaged in healing the diseases, and supplying the wants of the people." The early church had favor and grace because of the caring nature of their hearts as manifested in their giving to others. The effect was grace on them which produced spiritual fruit.
Today, examine your attitude and actions towards those in your community of believers. Then, consider how you feel and treat those outside the faith. What do you honestly see? Do you have favor or is there some other response you are receiving? If we want to see the power of God on today's church, then we will need to do some serious thinking about our church and its concern for those both inside and outside the community of believers. Selah.
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