What does it mean to be in one accord?

Answer

The concept of unity is frequently expressed in the Bible, appearing ten times in the book of Acts. For instance, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” «These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. », (Acts 1:14, ESV). Being in unity signifies being of one heart and mind.

More precisely, the original language’s terms convey the internal unity (oneness of heart and mind) of a group of individuals engaged in a common action. Therefore, the phrase is sometimes translated as “with one mind,” as seen in Romans 15:6: “So that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice” (CSB).

When a group acts with a single purpose, in complete agreement, in harmony, in unity, and without disagreement, they are in unity. In the Bible, this expression often accompanies descriptions of the people, the location, or the activity in which the harmonious group is involved: “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: ‘The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to unity, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul’” View more.

In the Old Testament, the term “in one accord” is consistently used to depict unanimous participation in a specific action. In Joshua 9:2, the pagan kings “gathered themselves together to fight with one accord against Joshua and Israel” (LEB). Referring to the conversion of heathen nations, Zephaniah 3:9 states, “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord” (ESV). In this context, the term “with one accord” literally means “with one shoulder,” likely originating from the practice of yoking oxen together for plowing. The NIV conveys the concept with a similar English phrase, “shoulder to shoulder.”

In the New Testament, “in one accord” is used to highlight the internal unity of a community. In Acts 12:20, this community refers to “the people of Tyre and Sidon” who are upset with Herod. In Acts 8:6, it describes the audience listening to Philip’s teachings: “And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did” (ESV). It demonstrates how the community of Christian believers worshipped, prayed, and fellowshipped together (Acts 1:14;Acts 2:46;Acts 4:24;5:12;Romans 15:6). Unity in the early church is also shown through the sharing of material possessions: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” «And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. », (Acts 4:32, ESV). The early church, being in uniformity, was characterized by mutual support and care.

In one accord, there were “no schisms, no divided interests, no discordant purposes” (from Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes, 1834).

This type of unity of heart and soul in the body of Christ is achievable only through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment (Ephesians 4:1-6). It is a blessing of God’s grace (Romans 12:3-13). The Greek term translated as “in one accord,” as per the Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, “helps us grasp the distinctiveness of the Christian community. . . . The analogy is almost musical; several notes are played which, though different, blend in pitch and tone. Just as the instruments of a grand concert under the guidance of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit unites the lives of members of Christ’s church.”