An Expectancy of Community

Ever since I became a believer in Yeshua, I have had an expectancy of the community of faith becoming like the first-century congregation in Acts 2. In such a congregational fellowship, the connection between people is not only emotional but also spiritual. There is a lifestyle of giving to, investing in, and building up one another; a lifestyle of being in partnership one with another.

The congregation we read about in Acts 2* where they “had all things in common” is not only an amazing historical occurrence, but also an indication of what can be again, both now and in the future. A primary obstacle to congregations operating in this way is the society in which we live. For the most part, our modern society is one where each person is an island striving only to make ends meet, striving only to see the fulfillment of their individual thoughts and dreams. This mentality will eventually lead to a disastrous breakdown of the human bonds God created us to have.

If, on the other hand, each congregational member stops focusing on himself and instead looks to Yeshua and to the Father heart of God, we will achieve a unity that sidesteps worldly systems and build a community that experiences breakthrough. We will rise above the mentality of this world to a kingdom-of-God viewpoint where our fellow man is truly important to us. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

We may even find ourselves thinking of others before thinking of ourselves. How is this possible? The desire to invest in the lives of others will come from within. We are the pioneers whom God wants to use to build His community on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

* “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their 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.” (Acts 2:42-47)