Singleness
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2.46, 47
Considering the time-frame of the writing of this passage, we must understand that the early church had vastly fewer resources on church polity, church doctrine and the minutia of modern day theological thought. So far, conflicting ideas had not had yet permeated the congregation. While it is a distinct possibility that the book of Acts was written around 64 AD, it is also probable that the events recorded in Acts 2 were within the early church – very shortly after the Ascension of Christ. (Acts 1.11)
Luke recorded for us the progression of the spread of the Gospel throughout the known world as the Gospel of the Savior gained a foothold; however, in our text we discover the foundational essence of that divine message.
The essence of the early church found its unity upon fellowship. Often forced into hidden assemblies, the early church had given up worldly activities and aspirations – no Sunday ball games or overtime work on the Sabbath. They were focused on meeting together and encouraging one another. Their fellowship spread from the Temple to the home as their hearts and minds were bound together in the unity of salvation. Their desire was to meet as often as possible (daily) and in unity (continuing daily).
The key to this early unity was their singleness of heart.
The word “singleness” occurs three times in the Bible (Acts 2.46; Ephesians 6.5; Colossians 3.22) and translates two different Greek words. The Greek word from the Pauline epistles is haplótēs meaning “without having an ulterior motive” – non-hypocritical and free from duplicity. In Acts 2.46, the term is aphelótēs meaning “without a stone.” It suggests a road that is smooth and easily passable – one that is without holes, bumps or loose stones.
In this context, the early church enjoyed being together sharing meals and good conversation apart from personal biases – they simply enjoyed being with each other and fellowshipping around their new found faith.
They had a great attractiveness to the surrounding community as their love and unity of heart bubbled over into their daily lives. There was no posturing or striving for preeminence. They allowed no holes in the path of righteousness nor did they interject uneven gravel that could cause the weak to falter. They were a simple bunch who had one purpose in mind – bringing glory to the One who saved them.
Being seen by those on the outside as being a loving group, our Lord used that sweetness to draw others into their fellowship. Consider how difficult it would have been to bring the lost into the local group of called out believers had they been at odds with each other as is not uncommon in the Christian world today.
Those on the outside should be overwhelmed by how, as a culturally diverse group, the church gets along and not by how well we squabble and bicker. Here is what Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13.35
Luke recorded for us the progression of the spread of the Gospel throughout the known world as the Gospel of the Savior gained a foothold; however, in our text we discover the foundational essence of that divine message.
The essence of the early church found its unity upon fellowship. Often forced into hidden assemblies, the early church had given up worldly activities and aspirations – no Sunday ball games or overtime work on the Sabbath. They were focused on meeting together and encouraging one another. Their fellowship spread from the Temple to the home as their hearts and minds were bound together in the unity of salvation. Their desire was to meet as often as possible (daily) and in unity (continuing daily).
The key to this early unity was their singleness of heart.
The word “singleness” occurs three times in the Bible (Acts 2.46; Ephesians 6.5; Colossians 3.22) and translates two different Greek words. The Greek word from the Pauline epistles is haplótēs meaning “without having an ulterior motive” – non-hypocritical and free from duplicity. In Acts 2.46, the term is aphelótēs meaning “without a stone.” It suggests a road that is smooth and easily passable – one that is without holes, bumps or loose stones.
In this context, the early church enjoyed being together sharing meals and good conversation apart from personal biases – they simply enjoyed being with each other and fellowshipping around their new found faith.
They had a great attractiveness to the surrounding community as their love and unity of heart bubbled over into their daily lives. There was no posturing or striving for preeminence. They allowed no holes in the path of righteousness nor did they interject uneven gravel that could cause the weak to falter. They were a simple bunch who had one purpose in mind – bringing glory to the One who saved them.
Being seen by those on the outside as being a loving group, our Lord used that sweetness to draw others into their fellowship. Consider how difficult it would have been to bring the lost into the local group of called out believers had they been at odds with each other as is not uncommon in the Christian world today.
Those on the outside should be overwhelmed by how, as a culturally diverse group, the church gets along and not by how well we squabble and bicker. Here is what Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13.35
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