SHARON ROCKWELL | GUEST

My husband and I recently attended the 34^th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in our small town. Several hundred people gathered to pray for our nation, our state, and our city. We watched our area Explorers and the Pipes and Drum Ensemble post the Colors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. We acknowledged those in local leadership and first responder roles, and we listened to our public high school sing both hymns and patriotic music. Several community pastors read Bible passages and led us in prayer. It was a deeply moving time to come together with those who live side by side with us, who may attend different churches, who may disagree on the need for masks, and who may be on the opposite side politically. But none of that mattered. For the few hours we were together praying, we were in one accord.

I was reminded of the story of the early church. After Christ’s resurrection, He returned to present Himself alive to the apostles. He offered many proofs that He was alive, appearing to them for forty days and speaking to them about the kingdom of God. The apostles were undoubtedly excited to spread the news of what they had seen and heard. But Jesus commanded them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit to come. After this commandment, Jesus was lifted up into a cloud and taken from their sight. Acts 1:12-14 records their obedience, “Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” The crowd totaled about 120 people. Later, after Pentecost and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the church grew as 3,000 were baptized and continued in prayer and thanksgiving.

The early church set two important examples. First, they waited in obedience. Second, they came together as one body, praying with one accord. But still there were unbelievers. So Peter addressed the Jewish community reminding them of past prophecy and explaining that Jesus gave them many signs that He was in fact the Son of God. Yet, this was the man they killed. Peter clearly called out their guilt for crucifying him.

Peter’s words hit the men of Israel hard. They asked what they should do, and Peter gave them the simple truth. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” (Acts 2: 38-40). Christ is Lord whether we acknowledge it or not, whether we reject him or not, whether we have “invited him into our heart or not.” The biblical truth is that we have hardened hearts. We need genuine repentance for the forgiveness of our sins and a right relationship with God. Jesus will give the gift of the Holy Spirit to those He calls to himself.

The church grew as a result of God the Holy Spirit in peoples’ lives. Luke tells us how that early assembly functioned – studying the scriptures, attending the temple together, eating together, and praying together. They had glad and generous hearts, sharing with those in need and praising God for his favor. We are 2000 years away from this early church example. But this early record encourages us. Imagine the effect we might have on the world through walking with Jesus, in one accord, with one another.

We still live in a “crooked generation.” Some of our government leaders have become corrupt. Some of the next generation have left the church seeking social justice. It can feel overwhelming. Yet we are to follow the example of the early church to wait and to pray. And so, we wait patiently for revival, and pray fervently for the Lord’s return. Until then, we are thankful and in one accord for our many blessings.

Dear Lord,

For our eyes to see and our ears to hear,
Father we thank you in one accord.
For Your Word that you left for us to study and learn about your character,
Father we thank you in one accord.
For the many blessings we have living in this country and in this state and in these communities,
Father we thank you in one accord.
For the intercessions we have witnessed within our circles: recovery from significant illnesses, restoration of relationships, and witnessing family members become believers,
Father we thank you in one accord.
For our churches and pastors who faithfully preach your revelation accurately and completely,
Father we thank you in one accord.
For the early church who was obedient in waiting and who prioritized prayer in one accord as an example for us to follow,
Father we thank you in one accord.
For all these many blessings which come from your hand, we are grateful. And all God’s people said “Amen”

About the Author:

Sharon Rockwell

Sharon retired from a career first as a chemist and then as a regulatory affairs consultant to the medical device industry.  She has served on the women’s ministry team at Grace Presbyterian Church in her hometown of Yorba Linda, California, and has worked as the west coast regional advisor for the PCA.  She and her husband have 5 toddler grandchildren, current count girls 4, boys 1.  In her spare time Sharon enjoys cooking, traveling, bird watching and raising orchids.