Study of Authority Authority in religion is not a luxury.

It is critical to please God. Authority comes from one of two

sources: God or man. God’s silence is not permission. Authority can be established by…

1. Direct Command

2. Approved Apostolic Example

3. Necessary Inference

The Work of the Church

1. Evangelism– Preaching and teaching of the

gospel

2. Edification– Nurture, build up and encourage

the saints

3. Benevolence– Ministering to the needs of saints

Authority: Benevolence

Comunicación y Gerencia

Church of Christ at Medina

June 26th, 2011

Benevolence

1. Benevolence actually means…– “…an inclination to perform

generous acts.”– A benevolent person then is one

who is characterized by doing good or concerned with charitable deeds.

2. The Scriptures teach that saints are to be involved in good deeds, including generous or charitable ones.

Benevolence

2 Timothy 3:16-17“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (ESV)

Galatians 6:9“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (ESV)

Benevolence

Who is responsible to perform

the benevolent acts or to

minister to the needs of

others?

Benevolence

Individual

Collective

&

Individual: An Example30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37, ESV)

Individual: God’s Expectations• God does expect the individual to be

going about doing good and helping those who have needs.

• The twisting of two particular scriptures have been the source of many problems for the church in the past.

• We must keep in mind that when God’s word is speaking to the individual, He expects the individual to obey.

Individual: God’s ExpectationsGalatians 6:6-10“6One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Christian Individuals

All men, but especially Christians

No manner specified.

Individual: God’s ExpectationsJames 1:26-27“26If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Who? Christian Individuals

To Whom? Orphans and WidowsHow? No manner specified.

Individual: Importance of Benevolence

Matthew 25:34-40“34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Benevolence

Individual

Collective

&

Collective: God’s ExpectationsTaking Care of Their Own

Acts 2:42-45“42And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Church in Jerusalem

Their Own MembersProviding for the Need.

Collective: God’s ExpectationsTaking Care of Their Own

Acts 4:32-35“32Now 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. 33And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Church in Jerusalem

Their Own MembersProviding for the Need.

Collective: God’s ExpectationsTaking Care of Their Own

Acts 6:1-6“1Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Church in Jerusalem

WidowsProviding for the Need.

Collective: God’s ExpectationsTaking Care of Their Own

1 Timothy 5:16

“16If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Church in Jerusalem

WidowsProviding for the Need.

Benevolence

Church / saints

in need

Collective: God’s ExpectationsHelping Other Saints

Acts 11:27-30

“27Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Church in Antioch

Brothers in JudeaSending directly to the need

Collective: God’s ExpectationsHelping Other Saints

1 Corinthians 16:1-3

“16:1Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Church in Corinth (& Galatia)

Church in JerusalemSending directly to the need

Collective: God’s ExpectationsHelping Other Saints

Romans 15:25-26

“25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.”

Who?

How?To Whom?

Churches in Macedonia & Achaia

Church in Jerusalem

Sending directly to the need

Benevolence

So, where is the problem? What’s been

the issues and is it still important for us to know?

Benevolence

Orphan’s Homes1.) Separate Board of Directors 2.) Sponsoring Church

Where is the authority?

Benevolence

Disaster Relief1.) Separate Board of Directors

Where is the authority?

Benevolence: Conclusion God does expect Christians to be

benevolent or to be involved in helping those who have needs.

God has given direction to both the individual and to the collective group. The collective action is limited to helping

saints. The collective action is limited to a direct

helping, not through a separate organization.

We must respect God’s authority and understand that it is sufficient to accomplish all that needs to be done in matters of benevolence.