People groups of differing opinions and cultures seem to suddenly ban together naturally when an enemy to all their groups threatens their way of life.  It is well known by most that a “common enemy” will bring opposing sides together for the purpose to remove the unwanted enemy.

In politics, a common front is an alliance between different groups, forces, or interests in pursuit of a common goal or in opposition to a common enemy.  Various literary works hypothesizes what can broadly be described as the common-enemy effect: the interaction with a common enemy (formed by Nature, an individual, or a group) increases cooperation.  There are multiple ways common enemies affect group behaviors.

The common enemy effect begins on the playground among children.  Groups automatically form at an early age. I have observed this phenomenon as a first-grade teacher.  Children will progress into the next developmental stage of realizing they are not the only people in the world around them. Then they begin to relate and seek companionship of others.  Their need to belong begins to take root and grow.

Children may not realize what they are doing but I have observed kids playing nicely with each other until a “leader” emerges and tells the group to play a different game.  The newly announced game is so aptly called; “Follow the Leader.”  Kids who are just in it to have fun, will follow the leader until they want to be leader.  When posed with a new leader, teams begin to form and “sides” are picked.  If you have a good leader, life is good.  But a bad leader can cause problems.

What usually happens next is very interesting to a people observer like me.  Another child might over from across the playground, from another grade level, to change the way the game is played.  This child, not in any group, is now deemed (without realizing it) the “common enemy” to the groups already formed among who they know in their grade level.  The common enemy is readily pushed away as they go back to their game.

Do we outgrow common enemy behaviors to form community? Mm.  If only we could trade our common enemy mentality with a common goal.  Who is the enemy?

Luke, inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, while describing the acts of the apostles after Jesus ascended, presents us with a new way of thinking that lines up with what God wants most from his people—to be of ONE heart, ONE mind with ONE goal. This is only accomplished by our obedience to ONE source—God’s Holy Spirit.

Acts 4, the Message

One Heart, One Mind

^23-26 As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:

Why the big noise, nations?
Why the mean plots, peoples?
Earth’s leaders push for position,
Potentates meet for summit talks,
The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!

^27-28 “For in fact they did meet—Herod and Pontius Pilate with nations and peoples, even Israel itself! —met in this very city to plot against your holy Son Jesus, the One you made Messiah, to carry out the plans you long ago set in motion.

^29-30 “And now they’re at it again! Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and miracles and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹ While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence.

^32-33 The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.

^34-35 And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.

^36-37 Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Comfort”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The common enemy to the Jewish established religion and the Roman officials was Jesus.  So, for those who continue to speak in Jesus Name, they are also deemed enemies of these two opposing groups. 

This common enemy of all that is wrong with the world was sent to set things right and bring unity! What a difference! Jesus’ work provided reconciliation (reconnection) with God while bringing unity among believers in God with a common goal orchestrated by God long ago: Life Eternal.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

What glorious behaviors emerge from this unity of God’s Holy Spirit in all who believe in Jesus!  Oh church, we can learn from these pure and holy early experiences of the church Jesus is establishing through His “one heart-one minded” people!

The “wonderful harmony of united prayer”!  When Peter and John reported back, the group gave praise to God immediately.  Take notice that no one coveted the experience of Peter and John nor did they judge the merits of their courageous speaking. They praised God!

• They praised God for the safe return of Peter and John. 
• They thanked God for His Holy Spirit’s leading.
• They praised God for “fearless confidence” to preach in Jesus Name.
• They asked for protection with this fearless confidence as they continued the work in Jesus Name. (“Take care of the threats…as you stretch out your arms of healings and miracles in Jesus Name.)  They knew Who did the work—God!
• God answered while they were praying; filling them to the full with His Holy Spirit which affirmed their “fearless confidence” with His power! 
• Praying to the One and Only who redeemed them resulted in the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit uniting the community of faith as One—one heart, one mind! 
• They shared everything. 

Ah… filled, redeemed, grateful witnesses of Jesus with fearless confidence! 

The grace of God “was over all of them” like a blanket of protection from the real enemy—the fallen angel of God.  

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Satan is our common enemy—not each other.

Lord,

I am so grateful for the fearless confidence you instilled in Peter and John and the rest of the apostles and disciples who stood firm to proclaim your saving grace to all. We are free to worship with how to worship in spirit and Truth because the work you did in and through all who walked before us.  I am grateful.  You are my leader and I will follow you.  Thank you for the lesson today.  May we love like you love us—without conditions or judgement—only care and correction.

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen