Ephesians states a lofty truth, but how practical is it? Is it like a heavenly drawing board, full of grand ideas, but far from earthly reality? The history book called Acts holds the answer, for it describes the same truth as it works in practicality. The first congregation at Jerusalem sets the pace:
And all who believed were together and had all things in common…. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts… (Acts 2:44,46).
The Jerusalem congregation grows to well over five thousand (Acts 4:4; 5:14). Most of these people are new to Christianity and to each other. Yet Acts 4:32 says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Which heart? Which mind? Do they follow the heart of this leader or of that leader? Should we today follow my mind or yours? Neither, for “in Christ” we die, and Christ takes control.15 The “one mind” we share should be the revealed “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).16
Acts continues to record the history of unity. Even when the church enters new cultures and multiplies congregations, we see the continuing pattern of common, cooperative work for Christ.17 They send greetings and messages of shared love.18 They share the same “full message” wherever they go.19 Paul emphasizes to the Corinthians that all receive the same teachings.20
Are there problems? Of course! The Bible honestly reports racial tensions and personal disagreements.21 It describes serious trouble with false teachers.22 It also shows how the body brings each problem to the revealed mind of Christ. He always provides the solution that keeps the body united. This unity is not a vague, mystical theory, visible only from heaven. The mind of Christ transforms real people. They gather as real, visible congregations that work together under one Head. The unity of Ephesians is more than a great principle. It is the normal, daily experience of Paul and early Christians. Yes, unity is practical!
15. Ephesians 3:17; 4:22-24; Colossians 3:4-10; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Romans 14:8
16. Philippians 2:1-5; John 15:15; 16:12-15
17. Research subject – Christ’s churches work together: Acts 8:12-17; 11:19-30; 15:2-41; 18:27; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 3 John 1:5-8; Romans 16:1-2
18. Research subject – Christ’s churches greet each other: Acts 11:23; 15:23,30-31; 21:4-5,8,19; 28:15; 1 Corinthians 16:19-20; Ephesians 4:12-16; Romans 16:16
19. Research subject – Christ’s churches share the same message: Acts 5:20,42; 6:7; 8:4-5,12,35-39; 9:20-28; 11:14,18-26; 12:24; 13:1-3,12,49; 14:21-22; 19:20; 20:27,32; 28:31; Colossians 1:5-6, 23
20. 1 Corinthians 4:17; 7:17; 11:16; 14:33; 16:1 cf. Acts 2:41-42
22. Acts 15:1-2,5; 2 Corinthians 11:13,26; Galatians 1:7; 2:4; 5:10-12; 6:12; Philippians 3:2,18; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:3; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 1 John 4:1
Picture: This large model of the temple in Jerusalem reminds us of the place where the church set an example of unity from the beginning (Acts 2:44; 4:32).