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.
I am sure we have all “church shopped” before, that time when we were drawn to attend for the first time or needed to find a new church due to moving. When we see a group of believers who seem to “click” with our lifestyle, music preference, the number of attendees, or life application topics from the pastor, we just know we will like it at that place. It sounds lovely and fulfilling but also selfish because we need a Kingdom mindset.
We expect the church to be a perfect fit for our lives, yet; the Church isn’t a perfect fit for us because we are made to be the Church. We are supposed to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2), meaning that we change to fit into the Church how God has created us. I am changed from someone searching for the Truth to the one that knows the Truth.
The Truth then sets me free from a mind that thinks like the world around us. My set-free mind means I am changed to fit into the Church how God planned as he knit me in the womb. Now I live in power to build up the Church via prayer, songs, words of encouragement, gifting, and righteous living, just to name a few ways.
My change is the driving force for the Church, and this changed mind is defined by this single phrase from Acts 2:46, “with one accord.” This little phrase is one word in Greek, homothymadon. It is seen in historical writings for music, and the invisible harmonious ways music flows from all different varieties of instruments with one single underlying melodic commonality.
What is our commonality that is so invisible and beautiful as the Church? The uniting work of the Holy Spirit in our lives through our faith in Jesus Christ. This invisible power is very visible and perfect when we move together in homothymadon — or literally, rushing unison (read the entirety of Acts 2).
This “one accord” is not how loud we sing (as it is not music at all). It is not our agreement on certain creeds and religious ceremonies in which we have created as humans. It is defined in the rest of 2:46 and 47 — daily continuing in transformation, coming together in the temple, breaking bread house to house, eating food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people.
This “one accord” has nothing to do with how perfect the church is. It has everything to do with how perfectly I can harmonize with the melody in which the Holy Spirit is directing in bringing glory to our head, Jesus Christ.
So, next time you “church shop” or become frustrated with the church you attend, remember it has nothing to do with how “perfect” that church is for you but rather how perfectly you harmonize with the church. How well the church you attend harmonizes with the Church of the globe. And the direction of the Holy Spirit for the glory of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ in “one accord” as the rushing wind of unison guides us.
Brady Roser is associate pastor at The Bridge Church.
