Acts 2:42-47 KJV
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Right in this passage ending of chapter two on the day of pentecoste when the baptism/infilling of The Holy Spirit there is celebration or joy as people were added to the church but they came and worshipped in the Temple. They were in one accord in the Temple and even had the Lord Supper there.

Often we hear about the persecution of believers. What we fail to really ask is why are people in one accord in the Temple in Jerusalem if they did know Christ at this point. If we examine chapter four in today's Continual Scripture in Acts we find the problem. The religious leaders got upset because they taught about Jesus and his death and resurrection. Understanding that Christ's story had caused many to repent, but had caused them great embrassement more then joy because of the outcome of Jesus' resurrection. We have to ask why embarassement because being religious leaders the knew not one the hour of Christ's coming though it be prophesied and did understand why he came until it was over. We also had religious leaders and people elsewhere who had not heard about Jesus coming. There were religious leaders coming from other locations that new not the full story. Zacharias is a good example in Luke 1 of going to Jerusalem for a set time for duty of service to God. What religious leaders did not want to hear is about Jesus not understanding who he was or what was happen inside and outside the temple that happened the past few days maybe even weeks. Scripture seems to indicate these events were close together.

Were their converts in the Judiasm before Christ. Ruth was a Moabite who accepted her mother inlaw God. Is their issue with Jews and Christians in are world today, the answer is yes. Jealousy in the Priesthood prevent peace but it is like putting new wine in a old wineskin or even today a new group of believers in old wineskin for the wineskin will burst causing division. New building for new converts til all things can displayed and known about God's will for Israel. This division still exist and cause such contraversy between to groups of people. This is why we pray over the house of Israel as a nation that the day of their enlightenment and revival will draw Jews and Gentiles to Christ. That one day God's people will worship in unison and not war. It like the issue of the civil war in our own land in America division over the passed that whites and blacks cant change but can change the future and do their best in many circles to kept peace and encourage unity with common interest.

God's people strive for peace and more people are added to the way of peace in our land and elsewhere. Peace is a work in progress but as scripture says people cry peace and safety and there seems to be war instead. My pets try peace but they also scream war at each other. It learning to slow down that helps the word peace to grow stronger.

Dear Heavenly Father bring sweetness of peace to the world. Let peace be the goaled of all believers. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Acts 1:7-9 KJV
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

Acts 4:1-3 KJV
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.