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 Example 30 Jesus 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. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He 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. 35 And 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.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He 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 Expectations Galatians 6:6-10 “ 6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For 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. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Individual: God’s Expectations James 1:26-27 “ 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion 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.”

Individual: Importance of Benevolence Matthew 25:34-40 “ 34 Then 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. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And 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 Expectations Taking Care of Their Own Acts 2:42-45 “ 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ”

Collective: God’s Expectations Taking Care of Their Own Acts 4:32-35 “ 32 Now 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. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There 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 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

Collective: God’s Expectations Taking Care of Their Own Acts 6:1-6 “ 1 Now 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. 2 And 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. 3 Therefore, 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. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And 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. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.”

Collective: God’s Expectations Taking Care of Their Own 1 Timothy 5:16 “ 16 If 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.”

Benevolence Church / saints in need

Collective: God’s Expectations Helping Other Saints Acts 11:27-30 “ 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And 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). 29 So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

Collective: God’s Expectations Helping Other Saints 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 “ 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On 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. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.”

Collective: God’s Expectations Helping Other Saints Romans 15:25-26 “ 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.”

Benevolence So, where is the problem? What’s been the issues and is it still important for us to know?

Benevolence Orphan’s Homes 1.) Separate Board of Directors 2.) Sponsoring Church

Benevolence Disaster Relief 1.) Separate Board of Directors

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.