SPC

First Century Christianity In the Twenty-First Century The Work Of The Church In Benevolence

The Basis Of Authority ➡ The Need For Authority ➡ Lack Of Authority Is Punishable ➡ Source Of Authority: Heaven or Men?

How To Establish Bible Authority ➡ Direct Commands - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15,16; Col 3:16; Eph 5:19 ➡ Approved Apostolic Examples - 1 Cor 11:1; Acts 20:7 ➡ Necessary Inferences - Jn 3:2; Mt 21:31,32

General Commands “a disposition to do good; an act of kindness, a generous gift.”

The Responsibility Of Benevolence ➡ Individuals are given the responsibility of benevolence according to ability and opportunity - Lk 10:30-37; 1 Tim 5:4-16; Jms 1:27

The Orphan’s Home Issue ➡ What The Issue Is NOT: ➡ Whether orphans are to be cared for. ➡ About who is more loving and caring.

The Orphan’s Home Issue ➡ What The Issue IS: ➡ Where is the authority for the church to sponsor another organization to carry out its work?

The Sponsoring Church Arrangement Sponsorin g Church/El dership Work To Be Done

The Orphan’s Home Board Of Directors Work To Be Done

Orphan’s Home And Colleges ➡ “Southern Christian Home is a children's home that cares for school- age children through high school. Children are taken into our program with the initial intentions to provide them the spiritual nurture they deserve. As they receive this care, they are provided the food, shelter. Our children usually become our missionaries after obeying the gospel. Dedicated houseparents are the main reason we are so successful in serving all the children's needs effectively.” ( shtml) shtml

Common Arguments ➡ Expediency Argument ➡ The Church May Do What The Individual Does ➡ In Loco Parentis Argument

Orphan’s Home And Colleges ➡ “Some who will agree that the church can contribute to an orphan’s home are not convinced that the church can contribute to a Christian school. It is difficult to see a significant difference. As far as principle is concerned, the orphan’s home and the Christian school must stand or fall together.” (Batsell Barret Baxter, “Questions And Issues Of The Day”)

Orphan’s Home And Colleges ➡ “The mainstream churches of Christ, time and time again, characterized those who opposed institutionalism as unfaithful to the heritage. The truth is that the dissenters stood squarely in one set of the footprints in the 19th century Churches of Christ. And by the time the battle over institutions was complete, it was the mainstream, not the dissenters, that had removed itself almost entirely from its 19th century roots.” (Richard Hughes, “Reviving The Ancient Faith”)

The Church’s Role In Benevolence ➡ Believers were cared for - Acts 2:44 ➡ Believers did not lack anything that was necessary - Acts 4:34 ➡ Relief was provided for the brethren - Acts 11:29

The Church’s Role In Benevolence ➡ The saints were ministered by the churches - Rom 15:25,26 ➡ The collection for the saints in Judea - 1 Cor 16:1 ➡ The saints were provided for and ministered - 2 Cor 9:1 ➡ The church may help widows indeed - 1 Tim 5:4- 16

The Church’s Role In Benevolence ➡ Paul and Barnabas were with the church in Antioch - Acts 11:26 ➡ The church grew for a year - Acts 11:26 ➡ Agabus warned the church about the famine - Acts 11:28 ➡ The church sent funds - Acts 11:30

The Operation Of Benevolence ➡ The funds are to be collected on the first day of the week - 1 Cor 16:1,2 ➡ Funds are to be given directly to those who are in need. ➡ Individuals were not a collecting agency, but messengers - Acts 11:30

Conclusion The local church may help saints in times of desperation and need. The church is limited in the work of benevolence by certain qualifications. Next Lesson: we will study the worship of the church