1. I. Church Benevolence: Passages Ac.2:44-45 Ac.4:32, 34-37 Who? Believers 32; Among them, 34 How? Sold land/ Houses 34; Feet, 35Examples Barnabas 36-37; Ananias 5:1-11

2. The shift of ownership (1) Ananias owns land (2) Ananias owns value of land (3) Ananias gives value of land (4) church owns value of land

3. Ac.2:44-45 Ac.4:32, 34-37 Ac.6:1-7 Implies daily distribution of alms (v.1-2) Church chose men of character (v.3) Apostles do their work (v.4)

4. Ac.2:44-45 Ac.4:32, 34-37 Ac.6:1-7 Ac.11:27-30 Appears to be collective action Disciples contributed Sent thru B. and Paul (= 4:35) Elders would oversee distribution

5. Ro.15:25-32 Raised for saints (25) Contribution (fellowship) (26) The least they could do (27) 1 Co.16:1-4 Collection for poor saints at Jerusalem (1, 3) Churches of Galatia Chose own messengers 2 Co.8-9 (8:4; 9:1) 1 Tim.5:16

6. II. Each Church Did Its Own Work Each congregation was independent Ac.20:28 1 Pt.5:2-3 Each congregation was sufficient to work 2 Co.8:1-5

7. Ac.20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God… This: Elders (pl.) oversee a flock (sg.) Not This: Elders (pl.) oversee flocks (pl.)

8. 1 Pt.5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers… This: Shepherd (Overseers) the flock among you Not this: Shepherd (Overseers) the flocks anywhere

9. This: Not this: Each congregation could use means / methods to do its work Church PROVIDES Food Clothing Shelter Medicine Church FUNDS Food Clothing Shelter Medicine Benev. Society ?

10. III. General Authority; Authorized Agents Ac.6:1-4, note three things: Servants appointed to serve tables (over this business, 3) For needy widows in church at Jerusalem Faithful men do it right

11. Requires judgment calls 1 Pt.5: chief Shepherd entrusts care of flock to shepherds –Elders cannot legislate –They act w/in scriptural guidelines Elders’ work is separate from deacons –Elders assign jobs to deacons, while they oversee (do own work) –One deacon buys supplies…

12. Ac.21:18-20 No reference to contribution Their reaction (20) implies acceptance (Ro.15:31) [Cf. Ac.11:27-30] 24:17, Luke’s only reference. Gave it to elders? What if church has no elders? Church “leaders” must decide objects of relief Church Relief Church Elders ? No Elders?

13. The steps: 1.Church entrusts messengers with support (Ac.11:27-30) 2.They deliver it to elders of chur- ches according to their needs Does this make messengers a benevolent society? No more so than servants appointed in Jerusalem, Ac.6

14. Illustrated by Evangelism, Ac.13:2-3 Antioch sent B. and Paul Ac.13:6…12, general authority required them to use judgment about best prospects for studies –Spend two years trying to convert Elymas?

15. General Authority in Evangelism Antioch SENDS Barn. & Paul Means Methods Locations Prospects Antioch FUNDS M. Society Means Methods Locations Prospects

16. General Authority in Evangelism Antioch SENDS Barn. & Paul Means Methods Locations Prospects They had same general authority to choose means, methods…as servants in Ac.6 did in meeting needs of widows Barn. and Paul had to make choices; it did not make them a M. society

17. Illustrated by Edification, Ac.14:21-22 Elders select teachers who must use judgment about effective ways to present material, how much time to spend on each verse, etc. This comes under general authority and is not an edification society (college)

18. Church Edifies itself Means Methods Place Personnel Church FUNDS Edif. Society (College) Means Methods Place Personnel