Acts of Loving Benevolence: Lessons from the Bible

LESSON 11 ACTS FEATURES LOVING BENEVOLENCE

Benevolence and care for all humans was something new in Acts of the Apostles. Jews cared for their own, but were not careful of the heathen, the Gentiles.

The Law of Moses specified generosity. If there be with thee a poor man, one of thy brethren, within any of thy gates in thy land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother

8 but thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wanteth For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land (Deut. 15:7-8,11).

One very interesting principle: If thou lend money to any of my people with thee that is poor, thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him interest (Exodus 22:25).

Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless (Proverbs 23:10). Jehovah preserveth the sojourners; He upholdeth the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down (Psalms 146:9).

Thus hath Jehovah of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother; 10 and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart (Zechariah 7:10).

God showed special concern for the fatherless and widows in the Old Testament. Widow is found 54 times. Fatherless is found 39 times.

Jesus story of the Samaritan illustrated something special. A certain man was stripped, beaten, and left half dead. Who passed by on the other side?

And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side (Luke 10:31-32).

Who stopped and helped? But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, 34 and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine

and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee (Luke 10:33-35).

two shillings, and whatsoever more What a statement of generosity, care, and benevolence! This act crossed all racial and religious bounds!

However the Gentiles, in paganism, cared little for human life. Sacrifices of children were common. Deification of animals, celestial bodies, and earthly things lowered their concept of humanity.

Jesus challenged this thinking with the concept of love. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:34-35).

Acts begins an exciting new chapter in benevolence. Needs developed in the first congregation. Over a million Jews, from 15 nations, came back to Judea for the Pentecost and Passover Feast.

And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,

10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God (Acts 2:8-11). All the apostles spoke to the visitors in at least 8 foreign languages.

About 3,000 obeyed the gospel. Many stayed longer than intended. New converts showed great care in sharing sacrificially.

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need (Acts 2:44-45).

One notable man showed sacrifice. And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37).

The apostles feet evidently referred to a place for funds that belonged to this new church. Today, we would likely refer to it as a church treasury, or bank account. This fledging church was under direct leadership of the apostles until future elders could be appointed.

had all things common (Acts 2:44) is often misunderstood. The selling and sharing continued up to a point: as any man had need (v. 45). For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need (Acts 4:34-35). When needs were met, selling and sharing ended.

Do not be confused: new Christians still owned things. 1. Barnabas kept a field for a while. 2. Ananias and Sapphira could have kept their property.

While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God (Acts 5:4).

3. Simon, of Joppa, owned a house where he was host to Peter.

And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner Thus, Cornelius was told: And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: 6 he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side (Acts 9:42; 10:6).

4. Mary still owned a home. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:11-12).

5. The evangelist Philip had property in Caesarea. And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him (Acts 21:8).

6. Mnason still had property years later. And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge (Acts 21:16).

This new benevolence impacted the Jewish world, though one should understand it was not a socialistic commonality.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; 14 and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of them and women; (Acts 5:12-14).

This benevolence continued. A new event occurred about 2 years after Pentecost. Widows were neglected (Acts 6:1). 7 men were chosen to serve. They had special qualifications (v. 3).

Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (Acts 6:3).

The apostles were needed to a more fitting role: ministry of the word. But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4).

Understand some proper conclusions. 1. Teaching the word is of highest import. 2. Serving tables is very important, but of secondary importance. 3. Jobs can be delegated in a church. 4. Qualified persons can be found.

5. Influence on communities will follow. 6. New Testament examples should and can be followed by all churches.

A 3rd case occurred a dozen years later. A famine is recorded about 45 AD. Agabus predicted this famine. The Antioch brethren reacted well.

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius

And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea: 30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:28-30).

This relief was sent to the elders in Jerusalem (v. 30). This implies the distribution was in the hands of elders. How they handled it Luke does not say. Were the 7 still active and available?

Later mention of deacons is interesting. Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Philippians 1:1).

Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless (1 Timothy 3:8-10).

Paul alludes to yet a 4th case. He was arrested (Acts 21) and is now before the Governor Felix, also the High Priest Ananias who brought the orator Tertullus (Acts 24). He is charged with insurrection, being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and profaning the Temple.

Pauls answer included: Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: 12 and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city

13 Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me 17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: (Acts 24:11-17).

Paul had been collecting several years. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come

3 And when I arrive, whomsoever ye shall approve, them will I send with letters to carry your bounty unto Jerusalem: (1 Cor. 16:1-3). Yet, evidently they delayed their gifts.