Monday, October 7, 2019

Justin Martyr on giving

As it turns out, I've already read some of a book a friend recently lent me. It's an old book, by William Marrion Branham. Some will run a mile when they hear that name, but I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater, in particular when he cites Justin Martyr, a second century saint.

So here's an excerpt from page forty seven. The emphasis is mine.

"Let me make one more note about the Saturdarians who claim that we meet on the wrong day of the week when we meet on Sunday, the first day. Here is what Justin said in the second century.

"On Sunday a meeting is held of all who live in cities and villages, and a section is read of the memoirs of the apostles and the writings as long as time permits. When the reading is finished, the president in a discourse gives the admonition and exhortation to imitate those noble things. After this we all arise to offer common prayer. At the close of the prayer, as we have described, bread and wine are placed before us, and thanksgiving made and the congregation answers, "Amen".

Then the elements are distributed to each one and are partaken of and carried by the deacons to the house of the absent.

The wealthy and willing then give contributions according to their free will and this collection is deposited with the president who therewith supplies orphans, widows, prisoners, strangers in want."

Thus we see that those who claim the early church carried on the Judaic tradition of assembling on the last day of the week are grossly ignorant of what history actually sets forth..."

I think the bold text speaks for itself. This is not the first time I've seen historical evidence that giving was as people were able, and distributed to the needy.

Ref: https://www.biblebelievers.org.au/7ch004.htm#IN%20THE%20SPIRIT%20ON%20THE%20LORD'S%20DAY.