Being in one accord means being in agreement, unity, and harmony with others. According to the Bible, when believers are in one accord, it pleases God and brings great power and blessing. Here is an in-depth look at what it means to be in one accord from a biblical perspective:
Definitions of One Accord
The phrase “one accord” or “one mind” comes from the Greek word “homothymadon.” This word combines two Greek words – “homo” meaning “same” and “thymos” meaning “passion” or “mind.” So being in “one accord” refers to having the same mindset, passion, purpose, and focus. It is more than just surface agreement – it implies a deep unity of heart and soul.
Some key synonyms and related words for one accord include:
– Unity
– Harmony
– Concord
– Unison
– Agreement
– One voice
– Same mind
– Same judgment
– Like-minded
So when the Bible speaks of believers being “in one accord,” it is conveying this idea of a profound spiritual unity and harmony within the church.
One Accord Pleases God
Being in one accord is pleasing to God and aligns with His purposes for the church. In Psalm 133:1, David declares:
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
This verse illustrates how unity brings delight to God’s heart. Through the metaphor of precious oil running down Aaron’s beard, David poetically describes the blessings that flow when God’s people live together in spiritual harmony and oneness.
In the New Testament, Paul also emphasizes the importance of unity within the body of Christ. He urges the church in Philippi:
“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).
Paul knew that discord and disunity would impair the testimony and mission of the church. But when believers are aligned in purpose, passion, and practice, it brings joy and edification.
Being in one accord also aligns with Jesus’ vision of unity for His followers. In John 17:20-23, Jesus prays to the Father:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
Jesus desires an unprecedented oneness among believers that reflects the unity within the Trinity. When Christians are perfectly joined in mind, heart, and purpose, it is a powerful witness to the world.
Examples of One Accord in Acts
The book of Acts provides several examples of the early church operating in “one accord.”
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples “returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:12-14).
This passage shows the disciples aligned in purpose as they awaited the promised Holy Spirit. They continued daily to the temple courts in one accord (Acts 2:46). After Pentecost, the believers were together and had all things in common (Acts 2:44). Later, when Peter and John returned after being arrested, the whole company lifted their voices to God in one accord (Acts 4:24).
This unity paved the way for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully. Acts records how “with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). When believers unify, God moves mightily.
One Accord and Spiritual Authority
Operating in one accord also strengthens the spiritual authority of the church. Jesus declared that “if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:19-20).
Agreement in prayer is powerful. But discord and disunity can hinder answers to prayer. Paul urges the Corinthians to “agree with one another, that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Coming into alignment with one heart, mind, and passion can unleash spiritual breakthrough. The church operating in its full spiritual authority is a church moving as one.
Cultivating One Accord
How can believers practically pursue and maintain this kind of profound unity? Here are some principles and practices that can help cultivate one accord:
– Make Jesus the unifying center. True spiritual unity can only be found in Christ. As believers fix their eyes on Him, they find a common purpose and passion (Hebrews 12:2).
– Pursue humility and servanthood. Selfish pride and ego destroys unity. Cultivating humility, gentleness, and servanthood allows unity to flourish (Philippians 2:1-4).
– Celebrate diversity within the Body. God designed the church to reflect diverse gifts and perspectives that work together in harmony (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
– Share life deeply. Casual relationships breed disconnection. Sharing life on a deeper level fosters understanding and empathy.
– Extend grace in conflict. Disagreements are inevitable. But unity is protected by pursuing peace, extending grace, and restoration (Ephesians 4:1-3).
– Pray together. Corporate prayer has a way of uniting hearts in purpose and direction. Praying for each other breeds care and connection.
– Serve together. Serving the community shoulder-to-shoulder brings believers together across differences and preferences.
– Fellowship authentically. True koinonia fellowship refuses to fake unity. It wrestles through differences and disillusionment with patience and love.
– Focus on mission. Carrying out the Great Commission provides a unifying rallying point for the church (Matthew 28:18-20).
– Rely on the Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can produce supernatural unity across barriers. Dependence on Him is essential (Ephesians 4:3).
As believers walk in step with the Spirit, living out these biblical practices, they will grow in manifesting the biblical vision of one accord.
Dangers of Disunity
Conversely, the New Testament strongly warns against disunity, division, and factionalism within the church. Paul cautions the Corinthians against quarreling and schisms that were fracturing the church:
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
Paul sees these church divisions as dangerous and intolerable. They impair the church’s witness and breed spiritual immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:1-9). Similar warnings are echoed in Romans 16:17, Titus 3:9-11, and throughout Scripture.
God desires His church to walk in spiritual alignment – “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). When believers are unified in Christ, it unleashes spiritual power, blessing, and bears witness to God’s love.
Being One in Christ
Ultimately, true unity is only found through the power of the Holy Spirit. Only He can produce supernatural oneness across the barriers that naturally divide people. As believers keep in step with the Spirit, they can manifest the biblical vision of one accord.
Paul describes it this way in Philippians 2:1-2: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
This does not mean uniformity or forced agreement on all matters. But it does mean finding union of heart, mind, and purpose in Christ. As believers come together in His name, humbly listen to His Spirit, carry out His mission, and draw closer to Him, they will grow in expressing His desire for unity.
Living in one accord brings delight to God, spiritual vitality to the church, and credible witness to the world. By God’s grace, may believers increasingly manifest this biblical vision of harmony and oneness in Christ.
