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The Work of the Church - Benevolence. The New Testament Church 2017. Benevolence Examples. The church CAN be involved in benevolence! It is a legitimate work of the church BUT, there are limits! This is an emotional issue!. Benevolence Examples.
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The Work of the Church - Benevolence The New Testament Church 2017
Benevolence Examples • The church CAN be involved in benevolence! • It is a legitimate work of the church • BUT, there are limits! • This is an emotional issue!
Benevolence Examples • Passages about the church and benevolence • Acts 2:44-45, 5:32-37 • Acts 6:1-4 • Acts 11:27-30 • Romans 15:25-26 • 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 • 2 Corinthians 8-9 (8:1-4, 9:6-13) • 1 Timothy 5:3-16
Benevolence Examples • Benevolence within a local church • Brethren in Jerusalem – Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37 Acts 6 – 7 men appointed • 1 Timothy 5:16
Benevolence Examples Antioch sends to JudeaActs 11:27-30 Jerusalem • Brethren of Judea • Acts 11:27-30 • Judea had exhausted resources • Relief sent by each according to his ability (29) • They chose Paul and Barnabas (Messengers) (30) • Sent directly to elders of congregations (30) $ Church at Antioch of Syria Lydda $ $ Joppa
Benevolence Examples Relief to JerusalemRom. 15, 1 Cor. 16, 2 Cor. 8-9 Corinth • Brethren of Jerusalem • Years later, Paul’s 3rd journey • Romans 15:22-27 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 2 Corinthians 8-9 $ Philippi Needy saints in Jerusalem $ Thess. $
Benevolence Examples • Brethren of Jerusalem • Each congregation acted independently • Each congregation raised its own funds(1 Corinthians 16:1-2) • Each congregation chose how (and who) their gift would be delivered (1 Corinthians 16:3-4, 2 Corinthians 8:19,23)
Benevolence Examples • Brethren of Jerusalem • No sponsoring church or human organization • Money sent directly to the need (Rom. 15:26-27)
The Pattern of Benevolence • Churches in NT NEVER engaged in general benevolence 1 Timothy 3:15, Romans 14:17Consider Acts 6:2-4 • General benevolence addressed: • Family, 1 Timothy 5:8 • Government, Romans 13 • Individuals, James 1:27, Gal. 6:10, Matthew 25:31-46
The Pattern of Benevolence • Benevolence was never used as a means to evangelize! John 6:26-27Acts 3:1-9 • It was always to brethren • Always when other efforts exhausted – 1 Timothy 5:16
The Pattern of Benevolence • It was always temporary – needs were not created and then funds sought • Churches maintained their autonomy and independence • No organizations or sponsoring churches
The Pattern of Benevolence • There IS a difference between the work of the individual and the church! • Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 5:4; 1 Corinthians 11:22, 34; 1 Timothy 5:16 • Sometimes justification for churches in general benevolence is taking passages like Galatians 6:10, James 1:27, etc. and applying it to the church. • Context to individuals
The PATTERN in scripture is! Where is the authority? The good intentions of these works are not questioned