Offerings and Apostolic Missions

1. Acts 11:27-30 “And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.  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.  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.”
2. Practical Application:
   1. A future famine was made known by the Spirit to the prophets (plural) and it was Agabus (singular) who spoke the specific prophetic word.
   2. Disciples (plural) in Antioch responded by determining to send relief unto the brethren (plural) in Judea.
   3. Their method of giving was “every man according to his ability.”
   4. The offering was to be taken by apostolic co-laborers (plural) and was to be delivered to the brethren (plural) in Judea.
3. I Corinthians 16:1-7 “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 hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  And when I come whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.  And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.  And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.  For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.”
4. Practical Application:
   1. The collection (gathering) was ordered (to arrange throughout) by the apostle (singular) to be given by the churches (plural) of Galatia for the saints (plural).
   2. The collection (gathering) was to be stored up by every disciple (singular) on the first day of the week (Lord’s Day) so that it would not be necessary for the apostle (singular) to wait for it to be gathered when he came.
   3. The Church (singular) in Corinth was to approve certain disciples (plural) to take the offering to Jerusalem.
   4. The Church (singular) in Corinth was to write letters commending these disciples (plural) to the saints (plural) in Jerusalem.
   5. The apostle (singular) would send them (plural) to take the offering to Jerusalem.
   6. If the apostle (singular) himself were to go on this journey, the disciples (plural) would go with him to Jerusalem.