1. Authority and Benevolence Lesson 8
A Study of Authority
Authority
and Benevolence
Lesson 8
Title Page for every Lesson on Authority
A. Christ Saves Us
B. Christ’s Words Judge Us
C. If we want to be saved by the Savior, we must conform to the standard of Judgment!
(Presentations are basically an adaptation of material found in Billy W. Moore’s classbook, A Study of Authority)

2. Benevolence defined: Disposition to do good
Inclination to do kind or charitable acts
Kindness

3. Introduction… What we have learned:
Means of establishing authority (Direct Statement/Command, Example, Inference)
Two kinds of authority (Generic & Specific)
With this lesson we seek to make application, in the realm of BENEVOLENCE.

4. The Church is to Engage in the Work of Benevolence
Approved by Direct Statement
1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Paul commanded churches to send relief to the church in Jerusalem.
1 Timothy 5:16 Church obligated to those who are widows indeed.

5. The Church is to Engage in the Work of Benevolence
Approved by Apostolic Example
The church at Jerusalem cared for its needy. Acts 2:44-45; 4:34; 6:1-8
The church in Antioch sent to the brethren in Judea. Acts 11:27-30
Churches in Macedonia, Achaia and Galatia sent to the church in Jerusalem to supply their need. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Romans 15:25

6. How the Church Did Its Work of Benevolence
THREE POSSIBILITIES
1. The Church May Care For Its Own Needy Saints.
The church in Jerusalem
Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-35; Acts 6:1-8

7. How the Church Did Its Work of Benevolence
THREE POSSIBILITIES
2. One Church May Send To Many Churches To Supply The Needs Of The Saints.
- The church in Antioch sent to the brethren in Judea. Acts 11:27-30

8. How the Church Did Its Work of Benevolence
THREE POSSIBILITIES
3. Many Churches Sending To One Church.
-The churches in Macedonia, Achaia and Galatia sent to the church in Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 9:1-2; Romans 15:25-32

9. Acts 18-21

10. The Bible Pattern of Benevolence
Place
Personnel
Provisions
Church in Jerusalem
Acts 2,4,6

11. The Bible Pattern of Benevolence
Church in Antioch
Acts 11:27-30
Scriptural church cooperation in benevolence

12. The Bible Pattern of Benevolence
Church in Jerusalem
1 Corinthians 16; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9; Romans 15
Scriptural church cooperation in benevolence

13. Not The Bible Pattern of Benevolence
Unscriptural cooperation in benevolence
Place
Personnel
Provisions
Benevolent Society or Sponsoring Church

14. The Church Did Its Work of Benevolence (Autonomous Churches)
This:
Not This:
Ch.
Acts 2,4,6
Ch.
S. Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Acts 11:27
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.
Only one reason for one church sending to another church:
“that there might be equality”
2 Corinthians 8:14
Ch.
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Corinthians 8-9
Romans 15:25ff
Ch.
Ch.
Ch.

15. The Church Did Its Work of Evangelism (Autonomous Churches)
1 Timothy 3:15
This: Not This:
How is this different from benevolence?
Ch.
Ch.
preacher
1 Corinthians 9:14;
Acts 11:22;
Philippians 4:15
M.S. Or
S.Ch.
Ch.
preacher
Ch.
preacher
Ch.
2 Corinthians 11:8-9
2 Corinthians 12:13
Ch.
Ch.

16. NOTE:
There was no organization between the sending church, and the receiving church.
There was no "sponsoring church" between the sending church and the receiving church.

17. Violations of the Pattern
Benevolent Society
Sponsoring Church Arrangement
A centralization of the work of benevolence is a violation of God’s pattern regarding the work God has given the local church to do.
Violates autonomy (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2)
Exists without divine authority, therefore it is not scriptural.
Different WHO
doing the work!

18. The Church Did Its Work of Benevolence (Autonomous Churches)
Different
Who!!!
This:
Not This:
Acts 2,4,6
Acts 11:27
Reason for giving:
“that there might be equality”
2 Corinthians 8:14
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Corinthians 8-9
Romans 15:25ff

19. NOTE:
Benevolence is the fruit of Christianity… not the means of propagating it.
Food and clothing were never offered by the early church as a means of getting people to hear and accept the gospel. cf. John 6

20. The Benevolent Work Of The Church Was To Saints
1. "all that believed…" Acts 2: "them that believed…" Acts 4: "the disciples…" Acts 6:1 4. "relief unto the brethren…" Acts 11:29 5. "unto the saints…" Romans 15:25 6. "for the poor saints…" Romans 15:26 7. "accepted of the saints…" Romans 15:31 8. "collection for the saints…" 1 Corinthians 16:1 9. "ministering to the saints…" 2 Corinthians 8:4 10. "the ministering to the saints…" 2 Corinthians 9:1 11."supplieth the need of the saints…" 2 Corinthians 9:12 12."relieve them that are widows indeed…" 1 Timothy 5:16

21. A Look At James 1:27, Galatians 6:10, and 2 Corinthians 9:13
James 1:27 speaks of individual action.
Note: Distinction between individual and the church. cf. 1 Timothy 5:16
Note: The pronouns of James 1:19-27 Read the text.

22. A Look At James 1:27, Galatians 6:10, and 2 Corinthians 9:13
Galatians 6:10 also speaking of individual action.
Note: Galatians 5:16-6:10 in context. Discussion about spiritual things. READ THE TEXT!

23. Work spiritual good by teaching one how to “live by the Spirit”
Verse 10 “Work that which is good.”
Paul is not talking about charity work,
Work spiritual good by teaching one how to “live by the Spirit”
“To work, labor, do work: it is opposite to inactivity or idleness” (Thayer) Note: verse 9

24. Verse 10 “all men”
pántas “Used of a certain definite totality or sum of things, the context showing what things are meant: Mark 4:34” (Thayer)

25. How is it used in Galatians 6:10
Verse 10 “all men” NT:3956 pas (pas); including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: (Strong’s) Note: Used 1243 times in N.T.
Illustrations:
All, everyone, no exclusions. Ephesians 1:3 “All spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” KJV
All of a certain class or kind.
Acts 2:45 “parted them to all.”
Acts 4:32-34 “great grace was upon them all.”
How is it used in Galatians 6:10

26. Verse 10 “household of the faith
Verse 10 “household of the faith.” NT:3609 (oikeios) belonging to the house; … members of the household “of family members, 1 Timothy 5:8; fig. of the Christian as ‘a member of the household of God’ in Ephesians 2:19; of the ‘members of the household of faith’ in Galatians 6:10.” (from Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, Eerdmans Publishing Company.)

27. Galatians 6:10 “Work That Which Is Good…”
Teach to walk by the Spirit.
Includes instruction & example.
“All Men”
“Household
of faith”
“Especially”
Any one not walking by the Spirit!

28. A Look At James 1:27, Galatians 6:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:13
2 Corinthians 9:13 in Context. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Saints at Jerusalem to be assisted. Romans 15:25 Saints at Jerusalem ministered to. Romans 15:26 Saints at Jerusalem to be helped. Romans 15:31 Saints at Jerusalem accept service. NOTE: Who was it for … Saints at Jerusalem.

29. A Look At James 1:27, Galatians 6:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:13
2 Corinthians 9:13 in Context. 2 Corinthians 8:4 Saints to be ministered unto. 2 Corinthians 9:1 Saints to be ministered unto. 2 Corinthians 9:12 Saints wants were supplied. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Saints were distributed unto. Distribution: unto THEM (Saints at Jerusalem) and unto ALL (men i.e. all Saints). "all (men)" can mean "saints" depending upon the context … cf. Acts 2:45; 4:34

30. Acts 18-21

31. Authority and Benevolence
Questions ?
Authority and Benevolence

32. Question 1
The Jerusalem church serves as a model to all churches in caring for their needy. What passages discuss how this church cared for its needy?
Acts 2:44-45; 4:34; 6:1-8

33. Question 2
One church may send to many churches. The church at Antioch serves as an example of this truth. WHY and HOW did the church at Antioch do this work.
They sent “relief” by the hands of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 11:27-30 No evidence that the church in Antioch sent to the Jerusalem church as a sponsoring church.

34. Question 3
Many churches may send to one church in the work of benevolence. Who sent? Who received? Why did they send?
Churches of Macedonia, Galatia & Achaia sent unto the saints in Jerusalem “that there may be equality.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 14; 9:1-2; Romans 15:25-32

35. Question 4
Did the church in the N.T. ever build and maintain another organization THROUGH WHICH it did benevolent work.
No!

36. Question 5
Did the church in the N.T. ever send relief THROUGH one church to another church?
No! Elders are limited in their oversight to the flock “among you.” 1 Peter 5:2; Acts 20:28