“And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them” (Acts 4:23).
TEXT — Acts 4:23-32
Message
Many small-scale farmers in Africa practise cooperative farming whereby the entire group goes to a member ’s farm on appointed days to give a helping hand to cultivate or harvest the crops. This practice enables each farmer to achieve more than if he had worked alone. It bears true to the maxim: Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM). The power of working as a team increases productivity.
Today’s text bears out this principle of companionship or cooperation with others to achieve more significant results. The background to the narrative is that Apostles Peter and John formed a formidable partnership in prayer, which eventually led to the healing of the lame man at the Temple gate. The miracle attracted a large crowd and Peter seized the opportunity to preach the gospel, calling them to repentance and faith in Jesus. The religious leaders were displeased. They arrested Peter and John, detained them overnight and brought them to trial before a hostile religious court. It was difficult to convict the apostles except to threaten and harass them against teaching or using the name of Jesus. After their release, Peter and John went to their own company and reported all that had happened to them.
We all need such vital companionship for personal and professional growth. We need the fellowship of like-minded believers with whom we can share our visions and burdens and work together for greater output in evangelism and church growth.
Who are your companions? Are they helpful or a drag on your spiritual life? Choose your companion carefully and prayerfully, and witness a tremendous explosion in your achievements.
Thought for the day
The great commission achieves more impact through teamwork.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
