One Accord

Throughout Acts the phrase i have seen repeated is "one accord" check it out:

Acts1:14 "These (the disciples) all conitnued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." This just describes the beginnings of a bible study group Peter is about to lead and how they got together in an upper room to pray before it started. Just as it is important to pray with other believers before we try to step out and lead or face the challenges of our lives. It's like preparing for battle haha.

Acts 2:1 "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." The day of pentecost=crazy awesome holy spirit action about to happen :) the most noteworthy thing: they were all together when it happened.

Acts 2:46-47 "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate thier food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved." Here we see the amazing work the Lord has been doing through the daily ministry of the apostles. Although, even in their daily work for him, they make sure to spend time together, once again. They need this fellowship to fill them with the holy spirit so they can continue to pour it back out into the lives of others. To me, this seems like the role of the church...is the church necessary to have a relationship with God and witness to others? no. But it gives us a place filled with believers whom we can connect with and have that "one accord" experience with. A place for "refreshment" of the holy spirit from vs 3:19 ;)

Acts 4:24 "So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God in one accord and said, "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them..." " Basically, after being told they were forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus, Peter, John, and their "companions" gathered together to pray. Notice that they are all praying the same thing...praying in "one heart and one soul" (vs 32) There is so much power in a multitude of prayer...It is one thing that the devil cannot face, that makes him powerless. It's this insane power that fills them all wth the holy spirit!!! (the amazingness of vs 31.) THAT is the power of prayer.

Lastly, in todays reading...Acts 5:12 "And through the hands of the apostles many signs nd wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch." This vs is another great example of the supernatural powers of the holy spirit, and once again...they are tied with the idea of "one accord."

Honestly, after reading this so many times in Acts, I am convinced that the holy spirit moves when we are in "one accord" with other believers. Coolest thing happened today actually...at our youth group. Instead of our normal sermon and ending prayer, we broke off into groups by our schools, and prayed. One topic at a time (a lot like see you at the pole...if you have ever done that) It's times like those, with so much prayer at one time, that the stresses of my life, the temptations of the devil to buy into the lies that I'm not strong enough to make an impact on my campus, are gone...It was a great experience and I couldnt help but smile the entire time as I thought of Acts. Power in prayer!!!