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Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 12-14 (continued)

Verse 12. “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, (Olive Orchard) which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.”

Verse 13. “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. (Verse 14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

Verse 14. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

One Accord – Ten Times in Acts.

Singleness of mind and purpose!

The emotional aspect of the phrase “one accord” shows the believers collectively holding on in prayer. Their being in “one accord” would have encouraged each other. At times, there may have been a “stay with it, you can do this,” sort of encouragement.

Being in one accord is not a matter of liking or even understanding another person. Instead, it is to have a shared focus more important than any differences. Peter and John were both part of Jesus’ inner circle. Yet, the two men never agreed in the gospels. They never understood each other. Peter was practical. John was poetic. When Jesus came into the Passover supper and began washing the disciples’ feet, Peter said “…Thou shalt never wash my feet…” (John 13:8). Soon afterward, John would be the person nearest to the Lord, “leaning on Jesus’ bosom” (John 13:23).

Peter was always doing. John was often dreaming. The last chapter of John’s gospel has the Lord telling Peter some things he will face. Peter’s response was to ask, signifying John, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” (John 21:21).

Now the men are partners, the doer and the dreamer, the practical man and the prophet. One Accord – unified; the Power of the Resurrection, Jesus’ directive, the promise of the Father, and Jesus’ ascension into heaven. 

They continued with one accord.  One reason corporate prayer is often more effective than solitary prayer is the principle of agreement.  Jesus said, “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19).

How easy it would have been for someone to bring division into this beautiful assembly of humble people!  The members of the Lord’s family might have been criticized for his cowardly denial of the Savior.

The key phrase is “with one accord,” a phrase that is found six times in Acts (1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12; and note also 2:44).

It is not enough for Christians to have faith in the Lord; they must also have faith in one another.

One Accord

Prayer and supplication - Prayer = earnest prayer; supplication = request. The word translated “prayer” includes a sense of worship. In other use in Greek language it could be an “oration.” Supplication is simple - “Let your requests be made known unto God.”  

Inclusiveness - Mary, the mother of Jesus. Jesus’ brethren, who had rejected Him as the Messiah, are now among those praying and making supplication in one accord. 

To contact Carlton L. Coon Sr. as a speaker, for a guest blog post, or podcast - email carltoncoonsr@gmail.com.

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