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Christ Was Compassionate (3 of 4)

The church of Christ of the first century was directly guided by the apostles of Christ. As such, the churches we read about in the New Testament, though imperfect, were given perfect direction. These churches, in as much as they submitted themselves to the word of Christ delivered through the apostles and prophets of the New Testament, were compassionate just as Jesus was compassionate.

Not long after the Gentiles had embraced the gospel, the church at Antioch learned of a great famine that was to bring suffering to many, many people. In response to this prophetic word, the following occurred: "Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11.29-30). On a later occasion, the churches of Macedonia and Achaia collected monies to be sent to the brethren in Jerusalem which was to be used to relive the poor among them (Romans 15.26). This contribution was strictly related the physical needs of those who were being served by it. The church of Christ was compassionate toward the physical needs of others.

However, just as the compassion of Christ extended beyond the physical, so did the compassion of the first century church; she was compassionate to spiritual needs just as Christ was. That compassion for lost souls can clearly be seen in her actions; just as the compassion of Christ moved Him to act, so did the compassion of the church move her to act. When great persecutions arose against the church in Jerusalem, it is said that the disciples (other than the apostles) went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8.1-4). One specific place where the persecuted disciples were dispersed and in which they preached the gospel was Samaria. Philip preached there and was well received. Because of the compassion for the lost, even the Samaritans came joyfully under the sound of the gospel. That same compassion compelled Peter to go to the household of Cornelius, a Gentile (see Acts 10 & 11). He delivered to these anxious Gentiles the same gospel that had been embraced by thousands of believing Jews – there was no difference. When Cornelius and his household obeyed the gospel of Christ a wall was broken down that had taken years to build – a wall which only the compassion of Christ and the love of the brethren could destroy (see Ephesians 2.11-18). Compassion for the lost typified the church of the first century.

The church was also compassionate regarding adherence to the truth. When certain false teachers spread their doctrines that mingled Judaism and Christianity, the church at Jerusalem took action (see Acts 15). A conference was called and a means was devised to get the truth out about the false teachers and to protect unsuspecting churches and individuals from their effort. The church was compassionate for the truth, which by implication means, they were diametrically opposed to every form of false doctrine. One demonstrates his compassion for truth by showing his disdain for error!

Christ was compassionate and so was the church of the first century. How could the body not be compassionate when the Head was filled with and moved by compassion?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt