Further Thought: “After the descent of the Holy Spirit, . . . [believ-
ers] rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints. They were ten-
der, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth’s
sake. In their daily association with one another, they revealed the love
that Christ had enjoined upon them. By unselfish words and deeds they
strove to kindle this love in other hearts. . . .
“But gradually a change came. The believers began to look for
defects in others. Dwelling upon mistakes, giving place to unkind criti­
cism, they lost sight of the Saviour and His love. They became more
strict in regard to outward ceremonies, more particular about the theory
than the practice of the faith. In their zeal to condemn others, they
overlooked their own errors. They lost the brotherly love that Christ had
enjoined, and, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. They
did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives and
that, having shut the love of God out of their hearts, they would soon
walk in darkness.
“John, realizing that brotherly love was waning in the church, urged
upon believers the constant need of this love. His letters to the church
are full of this thought. ‘Beloved, let us love one another,’ he writes; ‘for
love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was
manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only-
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is
love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to
be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought
also to love one another.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 547, 548.
Discussion Questions:
 Christian life often is considered the personal, individual rela­
tionship between Jesus and the believer. This is, however, only one
aspect of the Christian life. Why is it important to remember that
God is leading us as a group? What are my responsibilities to the
group? What can I expect from the group?
 What are the best indicators that brotherly love is strong in a
congregation? Be prepared to create a list in your Sabbath School
class.
 What is true brotherly love? What are its characteristics,
causes, and results? How would you differentiate it from false
brotherly love?