A Church with Christ in the Midst
The Sapphire Review Vol. 2 | No. 42 • September 12, 2025
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:19–20, KJV
Recently, I wrote about praying without ceasing, with a focus on individual/personal prayers. Soon, I would like to touch on the same topic again, but with a focus on the prayers of a church (or a group of brethren coming together).
THE EARLY CHURCH
However, before we go there, I would like to lay a foundation by drawing our attention to how scripture describes the core group of believers in the early church at Jerusalem.
Acts 1:14 - They continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.
Acts 2:1 - They were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:44-46 - They had all things in common, parted to every man as had need, continued daily with one accord in the temple [bearing witness of truth] and breaking bread from house to house.
Acts 4:23-31 - Their company (group of believers) lifted up their voices to God in prayer with one accord, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:12 - The were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Acts 15:25 - After being assembled to discuss differences, they ended with one accord and sent their decision out to other churches.
Over and over again, we see the first believers being of one accord with each other. In Philippians 2:2-5, Paul describes being of one accord as having the mind of Christ through love, being likeminded, having one mind, doing nothing through strife or vain glory, esteeming our brethren better than ourselves, and looking on the things of others - not just ourselves.
A UNITED CHURCH
All these things can only be done in sanctified, fully surrendered hearts with the help of Jesus within each individual. As such, those who do exhibit these qualities will be moving in accordance with the mind of Christ.1
A church that is comprised of individuals who are earnestly desiring to have this mind of Christ will be such that is of one accord when they are gathered together. There will be no independent spirits there. There will be no prolonged strife or pushing of personal agendas. There will be no doctrines where unity is not reached in the end.
As Christ is not divided,2 there will be no division in such a body, but rather oneness of mind and purpose. When such a body is assembled, the spirit of Christ moves in their midst. When such a body prays, answers from heaven are given.
How can such a church body be achieved? It all starts with each individual and their own surrender to God’s will above all else in their life.3 As hearts are sanctified and individuals pray for Philippians 2:2-5 to be made a reality in their own lives, a church of brothers and sisters who are of one accord will naturally result.
Yet, where strife, self-seeking, fault-finding, independence, division, stubbornness, and toleration of sin exist, the power and presence of the Spirit will be weakened among them, prayers will be hindered, and the gospel work will be diminished.
PRAYER
May God help us all to be of one accord, and may He do the work necessary in each of our hearts to bring us up to the standard of having the mind of Christ, that He may be pleased and glorified in our midst.
God Bless,
Charles
