An Article of Faith

When we’re in sync with God the Father we recognize that all that we are and everything we have is His.
“Then Peter continued preaching for a long time,” writes Luke, “strongly urging all his listeners, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation!’ Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day – about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
“A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:40-47 NLT.)
In this moment of perfect oneness, the believers began to hold everything in common. They clearly understood that everything they had belonged to the One who had given it and He had the right to do with His possessions as He desired. The believers simply became His “Channels of Blessing.”
The result of this amazing oneness was one of the greatest testimonies of the reality of God the world has ever known. There were thousands in this church in Jerusalem by the time Luke wrote the above account in the Book of Acts. Some biblical historians say there were over 50,000. And yet, because of the oneness that God’s manifest presence brought, they “shared everything they had” and not one person in the entire church was in need.
Can you envision what it would be like if this happened in our city? What if this channel of blessing was opened and this generosity flowed between every church and believer? What if one group gave to another, one church to another, one individual to another? And what if it was so rampant that the world took notice? Is this possible? Absolutely. In fact, it has been the norm rather than the exception in times of genuine revival and spiritual awakening.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment,” says Jesus, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples.” (John 13:34-35 NLT.) (Taken and adapted from: OneCry: A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening. Visit www.onecry.com.)
“If My people,” declares the LORD, “who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV.)

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.