Was It Church Action Or Individual Action
M. Manchester
Those of our brethren who claim there is no binding pattern for the local church to go by in the New Testament for its work of benevolence, say there is no proof one way or the other that Acts 11:27-30 was church action or individual action. By "church action" is meant that upon the first day of the week, as they did in I Cor. 16:1-2, they took up a collection for the needy churches in Judea. By "individual action" is meant that they simply as individuals made up the collection among themselves and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Paul. To them it is all a matter of indifference. Since they claim there is no binding pattern the Jerusalem church could have been chosen, or set itself up as the sponsoring church for benevolence. The money could have been taken by Barnabas and Saul to the Jerusalem elders, and they in turn could have doled it out to the elders of the churches in Judea as they saw fit.
Keep in mind, dear reader, if there is no pattern for the church to go by in its work of benevolence, the above system would be perfectly alright. Not only the sponsoring type of benevolence, but they could have set up a benevolent board to send their collections to, and let said board, dole out the assistance. In other words to our no pattern brethren such things are a matter of human judgment and expediency.
I believe that I can prove that the action taken by the disciples in Antioch to send relief to the brethren in Judea was church action just like it was in I Cor. 16:1-2. Let us read I Cor. 16:1-2, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (I) The collection was for the saints. (2) He had given the same command to the churches of Galatia. (3) The time to obey said command: The first day of the week.
(1) The Lord's church was established on the first day of the week. (2) Those that were added to it partook of the Lord's supper on that day. (3) Gave of their means on that day. Acts 2:42 reads: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers."
Inherent in the word "fellowship" is the command for each one to give as he had been prospered. This they were doing in Jerusalem, and the question is: would they do it differently under the teaching of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch?
Barnabas was a member of the Jerusalem church and of course knew how the Lord wanted his church to function. Saul was the apostle Paul and was inspired by the Holy Spirit. When the church in Jerusalem received word that the gospel had been preached in Antioch, Luke tells us that: "They sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch." Acts 11:22. Verse 23 reads: "Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord."
Brethren, does it not follow that he would not teach the church in Antioch to do differently from the church in Jerusalem, who were being directed by "the apostles doctrine"? They would partake of the Lord's supper on the first day of the week, and give on that day, because they could not do otherwise and with "purpose of heart cleave unto the Lord."
The context of Acts 11:25 through 30 shows that the action taken by the disciples in Antioch to help the needy churches in Judea was church action. Acts 11:25-26 reads: "Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people."
When did the churches assemble? Upon the first day of the week. Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor. 16:1-2. Now look at Acts 11:27-28, "And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.- What days? The days when Paul and Barnabas were assembling themselves with the church in Antioch. Verse 28 shows that the disciples were assembled. "And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar." The fact that Agabus "stood up'' proves that the church was assembled.
The next verse shows that it was in [the] assembly that the disciples took action to help the needy churches in Judaea. Verse 29 reads: "Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (V. 30)
On what basis did they determine to send relief? On the financial ability of each Christian. This was the basis on which the churches in Galatia and at Corinth were to give upon the first day of the week, for the needy saints in Jerusalem. Said Paul to them: "Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him."
I repeat that the context of Acts II proves that it was the church as such that sent relief to the needy churches in Judaea: the no pattern brethren to the contrary notwithstanding.
-- Box 43, Pocahontas. Arkansas