Collective Action of Christians What is collective action? What is a collectivity of Christians? What may they do collectively? What is collective action? What is a collectivity of Christians? What may they do collectively?

2 Types of Collective Action  That which is to be done by all saints in an assembly 1.Singing 2.Eating the Lord’s Supper 3.Giving 4.Praying* 5.Studying God’s word  That which is to be done by all saints in an assembly 1.Singing 2.Eating the Lord’s Supper 3.Giving 4.Praying* 5.Studying God’s word

3 Types of Collective Action  That which is done representatively 1.Praying  That which is done representatively 1.Praying

4 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 1 Corinthians 14:15-17

5 Types of Collective Action  That which is done representatively 1.Praying 2.Preaching/Teaching  That which is done representatively 1.Praying 2.Preaching/Teaching

6 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. Acts 20:7

7 Types of Collective Action  That which is done representatively 1.Praying 2.Preaching/Teaching 3.Delivering an impenitent sinner to Satan TTTThat which is done representatively 1.P raying 2.P reaching/Teaching 3.D elivering an impenitent sinner to Satan

8 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles--that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 1 Corinthians 5:1-3

9 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:4-5

10 Types of Collective Action  That which is done representatively 1.Praying 2.Preaching/Teaching 3.Delivering an impenitent sinner to Satan 4.Distributing the elements 5.Passing the collection plate TTTThat which is done representatively 1.P raying 2.P reaching/Teaching 3.D elivering an impenitent sinner to Satan 4.D istributing the elements 5.P assing the collection plate

11 Types of Collective Action  That which is done via expenditures 1.Paying for facilities, utilities and/or supplies as needed  That which is done via expenditures 1.Paying for facilities, utilities and/or supplies as needed

12 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

13 Types of Collective Action  That which is done via expenditures 1.Paying for facilities, utilities and/or supplies as needed 2.Supporting one or more preachers  That which is done via expenditures 1.Paying for facilities, utilities and/or supplies as needed 2.Supporting one or more preachers

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14

15 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 2 Corinthians 11:7-9

16 Types of Collective Action  That which is done via expenditures 1.Paying for facilities, utilities and/or supplies as needed 2.Supporting one or more preachers 3.Helping needy saints  That which is done via expenditures 1.Paying for facilities, utilities and/or supplies as needed 2.Supporting one or more preachers 3.Helping needy saints

17 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Acts 2:44-45

18 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Acts 4:34-35

19 Closing Observations  Whether collective or distributive action is intended by a collective noun depends on whether singular or plural verbs and pronouns are used.

20 Closing Observations 1.When the collective noun refers to the group acting as one, it takes a singular verb or pronoun. 2.When it refers to the members of the group acting individually, it takes a plural verb or pronoun. 1.When the collective noun refers to the group acting as one, it takes a singular verb or pronoun. 2.When it refers to the members of the group acting individually, it takes a plural verb or pronoun.

21 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows. 1 Timothy 5:16

22 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

23 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts 8:1

24 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:3-4

25 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Revelation 3:1-2

26 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Revelation 3:3-4

27 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Revelation 3:5-6