We Need Each Other

Fthe past few months, I’ve been studying Acts in my weekly life group. We’re almost halfway through the book so I’ve been learning lots about the Holy Spirit, the early Church, and the miracles performed by the apostles.

Acts 11 focuses on the important truth that salvation is for all, not just those Jewish by birth. Then at the end of the chapter, there are a few verses that I’ve always quickly read through. But this time, I thought about their significance and why Luke chose to include them.

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
Acts 11: 27-29

As I thought about how my personal community and church can be strengthened by the example set by the believers in Acts, I was struck by the unity and humility in this passage.

God had given Agabus the spiritual gift of prophecy, Agabus used his gift to predict a famine, and then the disciples fulfilled the need that came to pass. From what we know, the disciples didn’t try to prophesy and Agabus didn’t try to use his gift to physically meet the needs of those affected by the famine. Each character in this story played a vital role.

God, thank you for giving us this example in Acts of your Church working together. Show us this week how we can use our gifts to honor You and serve others.

In our present time we need each other in the body of Christ like these early believers did. We need people different than us, with different experiences, different spiritual gifts, different circles of influence. We need to come together to serve others. It worked for the early Church in Acts and it can work for us.

The above passage from Romans reminds us that we can practice using our gifts to meet tangible needs around us. This week, take time to ask God how you can be using your gifts to edify the Church and serve others in your local area.