hospitality – La Vista Church of Christ

Does your congregation have a hospitality team?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:51:42 +0000

Question:

I am seeking to better understand whether certain practices are becoming more common among congregations of the Lord’s church.

Would you please reply to the following question:

Does your congregation currently have an organized ‘Hospitality Team’ (or similar group) that is tasked by the church with planning, coordinating, promoting social and/or entertainment activities?”

If not, are you aware of other churches that do?

Thank you for your response.

Answer:

There is a strong tendency for people to push their responsibilities onto an organization. People feel they are doing something, even though they are paying the institution to do it for them.

Hospitality is a command to Christians. "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2). There is no command to a church (an institution created by God) to do this on behalf of its members.

The congregation here has many social activities, organized by various members, even though we are a small group. We invite our brothers and sisters, but it is not done as a work of the church.

Question:

Brother Hamilton,

Thank you for your response. What I am seeing is elders creating a Hospitality Team and then assigning oversight of that team to a deacon. They then define Hospitality as “entertainment” - based on the translation in Hebrews 13:2. The team then organizes, coordinates, and promotes entertainment events for the members. No church treasury funds are directly used. I personally do not see that as a distinction. Most of the arguments supporting it are a rehash of the institutional arguments of the 50s and 60s. (Blurring individual/church and “good works.)

Here is the progression of the logic being used:

The church is authorized to stimulate good works.
Hospitality is a commanded good work.
Hospitality is defined as “entertaining.”
Therefore: hospitality = entertaining
Therefore, entertaining is a commanded good work.
Therefore, the church may establish a team to organize, coordinate, and promote entertaining
This is claimed to have apostolic command authority.

The Individual/Church distinction is addressed/dismissed by using Acts 8:1. "And at that time, there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." Using it to say “they were scattered” still counts as the church, so there is no distinction.

How would you respond to this?

Answer:

In Greek, "the church" is in the accusative, singular, feminine form. "They" is actually translating the Greek word for "all," which is in the nominative, plural, masculine form. If the "all" were closely tied to "the church," they would be in the same form. Thus, the verse is not saying that all churches were scattered. Instead, it says that a persecution arose against the church (there was only one church in Jerusalem at this time). This resulted in all being scattered. The implication is that the Christians making up the church were scattered. This does not prove that individual Christians are the same as the church. All it proves is that those making the argument are poor at grammar.

"[and they were all scattered abroad] Thus the rage of their enemies brought about the dispersion which Christ had foretold (Acts 1:8). By the word all we need not understand every member of the Christian body, but only those who had been most active and so were in special danger from the persecution. We find (Acts 8:3) that there were many left, both men and women, in the city, whom Saul seized upon as “disciples of the Lord” and carried to prison" [Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges].

I Timothy 5:16 shows that individual Christians and the church have different responsibilities. They are not interchangeable terms.

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Hebrews 12:23-25).

This command is not directed to churches. The terms throughout refer to individual Christians. Churches don't make a confession of hope. Churches don't assemble together; instead, Christians assemble together to form a church. I am commanded to encourage my fellow Christians to love and do good deeds by regularly assembling with them. I cannot claim that it is the church's responsibility -- it is my responsibility.

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality" (Romans 12:10-13).

Once again, notice that this command is for every Christian, not for churches. "Hospitality" has the following meaning:

"5381 philoneksía (from 5384 /phílos, "friend" and 3581/xenos, "a stranger") – properly, warmth (friendliness) shown to strangers; (figuratively) the readiness to share hospitality (generosity) by entertaining in one's home, etc." [HELPS Word-studies]

This word was primarily related to kindness shown to strangers, but this group has twisted it to mean entertaining themselves.

Since the premises fail, the conclusion cannot be reached.

Response:

Thank you.

I agree with everything you said. You did a much better job articulating it than I could. I also feel like those making the argument misunderstood or misrepresent the use of hospitality in Hebrews 13:2.

Here is what I understand.

When the King James translators rendered Hebrews 13:2 as “entertain strangers,” they used the word “entertain” in its normal 17th-century sense. At that time, the word did not carry the modern idea of amusement or recreation, but simply meant receiving someone into one’s home, hosting them, and providing for their needs. This accurately reflected the underlying Greek term philoxenia, which literally means “love of strangers” and describes the act of receiving and caring for those who are away from home.

Over time, however, the English language shifted. The word entertain gradually took on its modern sense of providing enjoyment or amusement, and its older meaning of receiving and hosting guests largely fell out of common use. Because of this change, more recent translations of Hebrews 13:2 have moved away from the wording “entertain strangers” and instead render the passage as “show hospitality to strangers” to preserve the original meaning and avoid misunderstanding.

Recognizing this shift is important. The biblical concept being expressed is not a social or recreational activity, but the receiving and caring for those in the position of strangers. The older wording of the King James Version was accurate in its time, but the change in how the word "entertain" is understood today can easily obscure the passage's intent when read through a modern lens.

Basically, this, along with the Acts 8:1 argument (which always seemed foolish to me), is a classic case of choosing a practice and then attempting to force scripture to defend it.

Question:

Brother Hamilton,

You were so gracious and thoughtful in your earlier response to my questions about some institutional influences leading to the creation of a separate organization under the direction of a deacon, “Hospitality Team”, for the purpose of organizing, coordinating, and promoting recreational activities. I have a follow-up. While the defense for this practice seems to shift with each scriptural examination, here is the latest. Setting aside for a moment that they have played a semantic word shift game with the Bible term “hospitality”, the latest defense is that the church has a tradition of organizing, coordinating and promoting individual responsibilities. The illustration is of “work groups” that write cards for the sick or visit them. Based on that, they draw a parallel: the church can play a similar role in organizing, coordinating, and planning recreational activities. I hope that explains it well. Let me know your thoughts from a Bible authority perspective.

Thank you

Answer:

Citing a traditional way of doing something does not prove that the tradition is correct. We must first show that there is authority for what we do.

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12).

One could argue that a congregation encouraging its members to reach out to the sick is part of "equipping the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ." However, where can we find a passage stating that the church should equip its members for recreational activities?

Response:

Brother Hamilton,

Thank you. That was very helpful. That was how I was looking at it - in the category of edification. Sadly, as an indication of how far some can twist scripture to justify a practice already undertaken. Those who have opposed the practice have been accused of “quelling the spirit of service” - apparently using Ephesians 4 to actually defend it.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

Miss Grace on Hospitality

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:46:41 +0000

by Marlene Smelser
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 14, No. 3, September 30, 1988

Miss Grace:

Can you say anything to help with the situation here? Few women ever invite visitors into their homes, and for all their hospitality and entertainment, no one seems to realize they would enjoy being entertained for a change.

Kind Reader:

Imagine it is 1925, sultry August, cicada weather, early Sunday morning in a rural Arkansas community. Katy Hathcoat is preparing dinner for several guests besides children, who will eat during a second seating. Never mind the day's rising heat; a fire is built in the cookstove. Squawking chickens must be killed, dressed, and cooked, for without a refrigerator, they could not have been butchered yesterday. She hurries while cooking breakfast for her family. Garden vegetables were picked yesterday to be cooked this morning. Pies or cakes are ready. Butter is hand-churned. On the tables are fresh cloths and napkins boiled over a fire in the yard, then crisped with cooked starch and ironed with heavy flat irons heated over a fire. After worship, she finishes her ministrations over that scorching stove with no air-conditioning to relieve her burning face. And she does this almost every Sunday. Sisters, let us hang our pampered heads in shame and admit our wimpiness.

Heads up. Move ahead to the fifties. It is Katy's daughter's kitchen where, despite her outside job five days a week, the custom of Sunday dinner guests still holds. She must do house cleaning on Saturday and then begin cooking, work late, and rise early. She manipulates her menu to fit her time. Her children love it and respect her for doing it. All job-holding sisters who think it can't be done, hang your heads again.

Now, it is 1988. Katy's daughter is confined to a wheelchair. A preacher drives some distance to preach where she worships. Where shall he eat dinner and spend the afternoon? No one else invites him, so she and her husband do. They drive to Bonanza, order dinners to take out, and go home to enjoy their food and each other's company.

Most of us deserve to stand in the corner the rest of the week while contemplating some old-fashioned plans for next Sunday. What excuses dare we offer when we have pan-ready chickens, luxurious equipment, more money, and finer houses? Why is hospitality dead?

Miss Grace fears many are not aware of the meaning of biblical hospitality or that it is not optional. "Given to hospitality" is commanded (Romans 12:13). Hospitality means loving strangers (Vine). You see, it is not fulfilled when entertaining our best friends or relatives. So, who are these "strangers"? Sisters, let us look at our assemblies and think who would benefit from our entertainment. What about the visitor who is not a Christian, the new Christian whose family members are unbelievers, that college student away from home, or the family who just moved in? What about the preacher during a meeting? Why do the same few names appear on the meal list? Besides those, what about the widow or the widower? Consider who, in some sense, is alone or unknown.

Do you lack experience and get nervous? Keep it simple. Do you not have a proper dining room? So? The high-style scenes in women's magazines should not intimidate us. You cannot cook well enough? What is your family planning to do on Sunday? Fast? Do you eat out on Sundays? Take guests with you. Is it too expensive? Then start cooking. Could you never match Sister Perfect's skills? She also had to learn. You cannot have company because you have small children? They can learn to set the table. In fact, the ideal way to learn this principle of selflessness is by growing up and helping in a home where Biblical hospitality is a regular practice. Miss Grace is about to have a headache from all these excuses.

Deep down, do we really think this is the duty of the elders and their wives? It is. But remember Romans 12:13? We all are charged. Dare Miss Grace wonder if the preacher's wife is expected to do most of it? No, that is denominational thinking, of course. Right. Sisters, we are all in this together. Our task is a breeze compared to Katy's. Do you wonder if anyone ever entertained her? Do you think she would have been delighted?

Aprons. Remember them? Let's get one and go to work, sisters.

Mary’s House

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:28:57 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Marys-House.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: Acts 12:12-17

I. In Acts 12 we learn that the persecution of the church intensified in Judea.

A. Herod had the apostle James killed - Acts 12:1-2

B. It was a popular act, and so he planned to repeat it by having Peter killed - Acts 12:3-4

C. But Peter did not remain in prison. God sent an angel to release him - Acts 12:5-11

D. After his escape, Peter went to Mary’s house.

II. Who was Mary?

A. There are several Marys mentioned in the New Testament, but this particular Mary was the mother of John Mark.

1. Mark is believed to be the young man mentioned in Mark 14:51-52, though we have no way to be certain. The conjecture comes because the account is unique to Mark and the young man is mentioned in the third person which is common by the writers of the Gospels.

2. Since John Mark was Barnabas’s cousin (Colossians 4:10), so Mary would have been an aunt of Barnabas.

B. Acts 12 is the only direct reference to Mary, but we learn several things from the account.

C. We see a woman active in serving the Lord

1. Despite the persecution, she opened her home to the disciples for meetings.

2. Thus, she wasn’t ashamed to be identified with the Lord’s people

D. She was a woman who raised a gospel preacher

1. Mark started out shaky, having abandoned Paul and Barnabas on their first trip - Acts 13:2-5; 15:37-38

2. But Barnabas encouraged him and took him with him to Cyprus - Acts 15:39

3. Eventually he grew into a solid preacher - II Timothy 4:11

4. And it was this Mark who record the gospel that bears his name.

E. Thus we see that in Mary’s house, the kingdom came first - Matthew 6:33

III. Mary’s house was gathering place for Christians

A. Disciples gather together often

1. Acts 2:42, 46 - In the temple for worship and gatherings, as well as individual homes for meals

2. Acts 9:26-28 - Coming in and going out. In other words gathering with the disciples on many occasions.

3. Acts 11:26 - The church assembled in Antioch

4. Acts 14:27 - They gathered for reports

5. Acts 20:7 - They gathered for worship

6. I Corinthians 11:18; 14:23 - Come together as a church

B. The reason for the frequent assembles (which is what the word translated as “church” means) - Hebrews 10:23-25

C. To be a part of the church means to be assembling with others of the “called out” in an area. It cannot be labeled as unimportant.

D. It is interesting that Peter knew that he would find Christians in Mary’s house.

1. It indicates that this must occur frequently and regularly

2. He went there first to let the brethren know he was free.

IV. Disciples came to Mary’s house to pray

A. We are not told what they were gathered to pray for, but it is important to note that they were people who saw the importance of prayer

B. Jesus taught his disciples to pray

1. Luke 11:1-13 - God answers when we seek Him in prayer

2. Jesus promised to answer - John 14:13-14

3. God listens to the prayers of the righteous - I Peter 3:12

C. Jesus exemplified the importance of prayer in his own life - Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12

D. The disciples understood the power and importance of prayer

1. Prayers of thanksgiving - Acts 4:23-31

2. The apostles made it a priority - Acts 6:2-4

3. Prayers were made for Peter while in prison - Acts 12:5

a. And perhaps this was the reason for the gathering at Mary’s house.

4. Prayers before important work - Acts 13:2-3

5. Prayers while in prison - Acts 16:25

E. The need for prayer is emphasized - Philippians 4:6-7

F. Prayer is our method for telling God what we desire - James 5:16-18

G. And God answers - I John 5:14-15

H. The song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” reminds us of the importance of prayer (#730)

I. The disciples understood this; do you?

V. We admire the strength of faith and the growth shown by the early church

A. But too often we do not follow their example. We place importance to trivial matters, things that fade quickly and really will not make a bit of difference in the long run.

B. God wants His children to be strong and courageous, as He asked of Joshua - Joshua 1:6-9

1. Physical strength comes from effort and steadfast exercise

2. The disciples’ spiritual strength came from their reliance on God and each other. They exercised their faith in coming together, praying for each other and with each other.

C. Abraham was a man of strong faith - Romans 4:13-22

1. It times of trial, Abraham’s faith, though already strong, was strengthened

2. We establish faith through our knowledge of God’s word - Romans 10:17

3. We increase our faith when we endure - James 1:2-4

4. And thus we grow stronger as we turn to God in prayer - Ephesians 3:14-21

D. Is your house like Mary’s?

1. A place disciples like to come and gather

2. A place where Christians are nurtured

3. A place where Christians can pray

[Based on a lesson by Wayne Walker]

Hospitality (Hamilton)

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 21:14:15 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Hospitality.mp3

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton

Text: III John 3-8

I. Sometimes you are so familiar with a term that you never stop to examine whether your use of the term is actually correct

A. Years ago, I was studying about hospitality. There are several passages in the New Testament that tells us to be hospitable

1. Romans 12:13 - given to hospitality

2. Hebrews 13:2 - entertain strangers

3. I Peter 4:9 - be hospitable without grumbling

B. Yet, for the most part, these verses tell us what to do without saying how it is done.

1. We thus fill in the gap with our own understanding of what we think hospitality is.

2. Most Americans see hospitality as having someone over a meal or inviting someone to a party where they can enjoy time together

C. The more I dug, the more I realized that as a whole, our society has strayed a great deal from the concept of hospitality presented in the Bible

1. The local casinos across the river call themselves hospitality centers. By this they mean they supply entertainment to those visiting the area or live in the area.

2. The hotels like to apply the word hospitality to their business as well.

a. Yet, here the “guests” are paying for the service.

b. It is not a gift freely given.

3. Too, we often rate hospitality has how often or how well we have been entertained.

a. You have your boss or a major client over for dinner, and that is call being hospitable

b. But here, too, the host is hoping for something from the service given. A new contract or a remembrance when a promotion is available.

D. What happens in society tends to creep into the church

1. “That group is not hospitable enough.”

a. Everything we do as a Christian can always be improved.

b. So how much hospitality is enough?

2. And just what is meant by hospitality?

a. I ask this at times and I get vague answers about the people have you over for dinner or having a party at their house.

b. If only a few Christians hold dinner parties, then the group as a whole is condemned for its lack of hospitality.

c. Of greater fascination to me is that the one pointing his finger at the congregation almost never has others over to their own home and often declines invitations given, except among a very select few.

3. We also have people who push individual responsibilities off onto the church

a. The church is expected to organize social events and entertainment for various groups so these groups can enjoy each other’s company.

b. Yet all verses dealing with hospitality are directed toward individual Christians and not congregations

c. We cannot make an institution out of our personal responsibilities.

II. Exactly what is hospitality?

A. There are three Greek works translated as “hospitality” or “hospitable”.

1. philoxenia - a compound Greek word meaning “love of” + “guest room”

a. philo is familiar to many of us. It is the word for brotherly love.

b. xenia is seen in Philemon 22 when Paul requests a guest room be prepared for him.

c. Here is a person who loves to have house guests. They even set aside a room just for that purpose.

d. Romans 12:13 - Practicing hospitality means having people spend time in your home, especially in the sense of overnight guests.

e. Hebrews 13:2 - There is an allusion here to the time Abraham brought three travelers to his home and feed them in Genesis 18

2. philoxenos - another compound word meaning “love of” + “strangers or guests”

a. A stranger (xenos) doesn’t necessarily mean someone you have never met, but someone who is not a part of your immediate family.

(1) It is shown in Matthew 25:35

(a) The person is not local.

(b) He hasn’t a place to stay, so a place was offered.

(2) It can also be applied to the person acting as host to a stranger - Romans 16:23

b. People not from a region are xenos. It means they don’t have local family to watch over them and give them aid.

(1) Many of us are not natives of this area, though some of us have lived here so long that we have put down roots.

(2) We constantly have people moving in who have no local ties. These are the strangers among us.

c. Elders are to have a love for strangers - I Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8

d. All Christians are to willingly treat each other with love - I Peter 4:9

(1) Most of us are not related to each other. What brings us together is our love for God and His Word – our common belief.

(2) Yet we watch out for each other. We care for each other as family

(3) A beautiful description of Christians written by Aristides about A.D. 125.: “The Christians, O King, went about and searched, and they have found the truth. As I have learned from their writings, they have come nearer to truth and genuine knowledge than the rest of the nations. ... Falsehood is not found among them. And they love one another. They do not turn away their care from widows, and they deliver the orphan from anyone who treats him harshly. He who has, gives to him who has not. And this is done without boasting. When they see a stranger, they take him into their homes, and they rejoice over him as a very brother. For they do not call themselves brothers after the flesh, but brothers after the spirit and in God. whenever one of the poor among them passes from this world, each one of them gives heed to him, according to his ability, and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted because of the name of their Christ, all of them carefully attend to his needs. If it is possible to redeem him, they set him free. If there are any poor and needy among them, but if they have no spare food to give, they fast two or three days in order to supply the necessary food to the needy.” [The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher, XV].

(4) Brethren, I can’t think of a more beautiful tribute to children of God and the essence of what is hospitality.

3. xenodocheo - “stranger” + “lodging”

a. Used only in I Timothy 5:10

(1) Note that the washing of the saints feet is a part of her aid to strangers.

b. Giving people, who are not family, a place to stay. A home in your home.

c. Gauis had Paul in his home - Romans 16:23

d. Simon the tanner had Peter lodge with him - Acts 10:5-6

e. Mnason lodging Paul and his traveling companions. The church also welcomed Paul and his companions - Acts 21:15-17

III. I hope you are beginning to see a difference in the Bible’s term of hospitality and the American view.

A. We place the emphasis on the entertainment. The Bible places the emphasis on the treatment of brethren as family

1. Gaius mentioned in III John 3-8

a. He aided brethren while they were in his area

b. Because of his love for the church, he cared for them and sent them on in a worthy manner.

2. Dorcas sewing clothes for her sisters in Christ - Acts 9:36, 39

3. It is a cup of water to a brother - Mark 9:41

B. The Old Testament had similar requirements for the Israelites

1. Portions of fields were left unharvested for the foreigner living in their area - Leviticus 19:9-10

2. They were to treat such people as Israelites - Leviticus 19:33-34

3. They were to show love by giving food and clothing - Deuteronomy 10:18-19

IV. Hospitality is knowing you have family whenever and wherever you meet brethren.

A. Think of the opportunities we have here.

1. We have brethren who drive through constantly - Do we see to their needs?

2. We have brethren who are in the area temporarily for work - Do we make sure they aren’t lonely?

3. We have brethren who move in for a while with the military - Do they know they have brothers and sisters, moms and dads who will ease the heartaches of being far from home?

V. I know we do a fair job here. I’ve lost track of the number of times people who have left and later write to say they miss the group here and wished they could come back.

A. Hospitality isn’t measured by the number of people your invite for dinner, though hospitable people do that often.

B. It isn’t any one particular type of deed, but how you treat others.

C. I’ve heard so many say, “I would be hospitable if I had a bigger house or time to cook or ...”

1. Hospitality doesn’t require things.

2. Think about how you would treat your mother or father, brother or sister, if they lived in this area.

3. That is how hospitable brethren show treat one another.

D. As we close, consider this passage - I John 3:13-19

Who is Romans 12:13 talking about?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:03:53 +0000

Question:

Good morning,

I came across a comment that was made on a particular verse: Romans 12:13, "Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality."

Could you please comment on who it is that is distributing the needs of the saints? And that of given to hospitality. In Greek, this “given to hospitality,” is it dealing with those outside the church? And if so who is it that is supplying their need?

Thank you sir for your time.

Answer:

Going back to Romans 12:4-8, Paul draws a parallel between the members of the church and the parts of a human body. Each part of the body doesn’t have the same functions even though they are all members of one body. The same is true of Christians (I Corinthians 12:4-31; Ephesians 4:25; 5:30). We should not expect all members to behave exactly the same or to excel at the same things. Unity is emphasized, but not unity for its own sake. It is unity in Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23).

In keeping with not thinking too highly of ourselves, Paul points out that the abilities that we have, miraculous or not, are gifts from God. We can’t lay claim to those abilities as proving that we are someone special. Since our abilities are gifts, we should make the best use of what God has given us. Each of us is not given the same set of gifts (I Corinthians 7:7; 12:4). What we do have is according to God’s kindness to us.

Paul then gives a list of specific examples of gifts from God in Romans 12:9-13.

What is it that Christians owe to each other? Paul starts with love, the foundation of all relationships (I Corinthians 13:1-8). It isn’t a suggestion because love is the characteristic that is to define Christianity (John 15:12, 17; Ephesians 5:2; I Thessalonians 4:9; I John 3:11; 4:20-21). It can’t be just a show of love, it has to be sincere (I John 3:18; I Peter 1:22).

Secondly, we must make a distinction between what is right and wrong (I Thessalonians 5:22-23; Psalms 34:14). Thus, love is not blindly given to any without consideration of who is being loved. Nor does love make compromises with sin. Sin is to be abhorred (Psalms 101:3; 119:104; Amos 5:15; Romans 6:1-2). Righteousness is to be held onto (I Thessalonians 5:15; I Peter 3:10-11).

Love is also to be shown. The word here is one expressing the love between parents and children (I Peter 2:17). “Preferring” translates the Greek word proegeomai, which means setting an example by going before. You don’t wait for others to love you and then love them back. You honor people by showing love to them first. Paul further presses the point: we must not drag our feet in the effort. The word “diligence” translates the Greek word spoude, which contains three simultaneous meanings:

To hurry or do quickly
To work hard and do your best
A speediness because you are eager and willing to do the work.

“Fervent” refers to boiling water or heating metal. It is the intensity of desire to do all we can. In this way, you are not only serving your brethren, but you are also serving the Lord (Colossians 3:22-24).

In our hope for the future, we keep an attitude of joy (I Thessalonians 5:16; Philippians 4:4). In persecution, we remain patient (James 1:4). In prayer, we remain steadfast (I Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2). Each of these bolsters the others, making all easier to accomplish. In serving others, we cannot forget to improve ourselves as well.

We share what we have (The Greek word koinoneo) meeting the needs of other saints (Acts 2:44; Galatians 6:6, 10; Romans 15:27). It isn’t limited to just fellow Christians, we are also to entertain strangers readily and cheerfully (Hebrews 13:2; I Peter 4:9; Matthew 25:43). The phrase says we are to literally chase opportunities to be hospitable.

Bearing a Different Gospel Beautifully

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:08:36 +0000

by Matthew W. Bassford

The apostle Paul was fond of sarcasm, not because he didn’t love people, but because he did. When Christians he had converted turned aside from Christ, it drove him to distraction, and that distraction often found its expression in heartfelt exasperation.

One such expression appears in II Corinthians 11:4. In contrast to the stubborn resistance the Corinthians put up to Paul’s teaching, they listened eagerly to the false teachers who followed him. Paul tells them that they bore a different gospel beautifully, implying that the attention they devoted to the workers of deceit was the attention they should have devoted to him.

Today, there are far too many Christians who bear a different gospel beautifully, and it is entirely understandable that they should do so. In the sense of I Corinthians 2:14, the gospel is unnatural. It does two things in particular that humans don’t like. It demands that we do hard things ourselves, and it keeps us from adopting easy workarounds. When a different gospel diminishes the former and permits the latter, we tend to bear it beautifully.

To see how this works, let’s pick a simple example: hospitality. The Bible commands us to be hospitable, a sacred tradition that stretches back to the days of Abraham if not earlier. Hebrews 13:2 tells us that we should follow Abraham’s example because he entertained angels without knowing it. This refers, I think, not only to the possibility of supernatural visitors but also to the impact that hospitality can have both on others and on us.

Hospitality reveals the generosity and kindness of Christ. As we practice hospitality, we become more like Him. It surely is a part of walking in a manner worthy of the gospel!

However, there’s a problem. Hospitality is hard. It goes against the grain of our culture. Either we invest a lot of time in cleaning up and preparing a nice meal, or we expose our messy fast-food reality. We might even have to invite over a rampaging mob of church kids. Not surprisingly, many modern-day Christians struggle to show hospitality.

There are two solutions to this problem. Either we do better at hospitality ourselves (still hard), or we outsource hospitality to the church. The latter is much more appealing. Sustaining that fellowship hall at the church building will cost some money, but we have more money than time. We drop a check in the plate, and we never have to open our home to anybody again.

As elegant as this solution seems, there are issues with it. First, it’s different. First-century Christians were in the hospitality business, but the first-century church wasn’t. Second, the fellowship halls, gyms, and so forth might produce hospitality of a sort, but they don’t produce a congregation of hospitable Christians. Anything that subverts the gospel goal of godliness is hostile to it.

Walking in the ancient paths is difficult and frustrating. We are inclined to Americanize our faith by departing from it in ways that seem good to the wisdom of our time. Consequently, the words of the agents of change often fall on receptive ears.

However, we do better to consider the wisdom of the One who laid out those ancient paths in the first place. His ways are not our ways, and He always has reasons for His commandments and His silence, even if those reasons are not apparent to us. Rather than bearing a different gospel, we should strive instead to bear our cross.

What My Parents Taught Me

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 15:53:17 +0000

by Jefferson David Tant
Vanguard Magazine, November 1982

All parents teach their children — consciously, subconsciously, positively, negatively, by example, by word. Children are even taught to be what their parents fail to teach. In our generation, many parents have abdicated their teaching roles to TV, schools, their children’s peers, and other influences. I am thankful to have had parents who cared enough to teach me right from wrong and how to live. May I share with you some of the things they taught me:

Righteous Living

This was more by example than by word. My parents did not set the example of smoking. I never saw a can of beer in their hands, nor was any kind of alcohol kept in the house. I never heard a word of profanity fall from their lips, nor did I ever see them go about in shorts, swimsuits, or other forms of immodest dress. This has had its influence upon me, and I am thankful that I do not even know what beer tastes like, nor have I ever owned a pair of shorts, etc.

Discipline

Discipline takes many forms, both positive and negative. My parents loved me enough to apply the hand, the belt, and the switch when necessary. They loved me enough to teach me the discipline of responsibility in making my own bed, mowing the lawn, washing the car, and I learned early how to operate a vacuum cleaner. My first job was delivering the daily newspaper route somewhere along about the sixth grade.

Discipline is also a part of the rule of self-ruling our attitudes, emotions, will. I will ever be grateful for a valuable lesson I learned from my father during the difficult times when the Lord’s church was being divided over institutionalism. During this period my father was the editor of a religious journal, the Gospel Guardian, was thus somewhat of a public figure, and was the target of much abuse from some with whom he differed. He was lied about, cheated in some business arrangements, reviled, had meetings canceled, and was abused in various other ways. Never once did I see my father display anger or a spirit of revenge and retaliation. Never once did he abuse his position as editor to lash back at his detractors. I am thankful for this lesson in self-discipline.

Love for God and His Church

I never remember missing a service for some school activity, or for homework, or for a date, or for company. I was taught to put God and his kingdom first. Not only did we regularly attend the local congregation of which we were members, but we often went to gospel meetings in other places where there were opportunities to meet other preachers and to make friends among the young people of other congregations.

Thrift and Economy

Preachers were not always supported as well as they are in many places today, and we had some lean times. I can remember the time my father preached for one of the largest congregations in the land. One of the elders was an oil millionaire who told my father that his philosophy in business was to buy the very best product at the lowest possible price. He felt the same responsibility to the church — to get the very best preaching possible for the lowest possible salary. During this time we sold our only car in order to meet debts. I do not remember feeling ashamed to walk to church or to ride the bus around town.

My mother has always been a saving person, even to the point of saving burnt matches. Our gas cooking stove had pilot lights that automatically ignited the top burners, but the oven still had to be lighted with a match. I still remember my mother lighting the oven with a match and then quickly blowing it out. The next time, she would take that burnt match, stick it into the pilot light to ignite it, and then use it to light the oven. This may be a bit extreme in saving, but it made an impression on my young mind.

Hospitality — Both to Friends and Strangers

My mother has always been an excellent cook and we were glad to share her skills with others. As a child in Chicago, I remember a hungry tramp coming to our door and my mother fixing him a meal. I don’t know if that was my first lesson in helping those who were in need, but it is the first I remember. A few years later in Oklahoma City, we took into our home a young couple injured in an auto accident until they recuperated enough to continue on their journey. There were others who lived in our home — women whose husbands were off in World War II, unwed mothers who needed a home for a time, and young bachelors who boarded with us to be a part of a family of Christians. How precious to me are the memories of the many fine Christians who have been in our home and my contacts with countless preachers of the gospel whose lives have also touched mine. How I treasure the years my dear Grandmother Tant made her home with us and the valuable lessons I learned from her.

Yes, my parents taught me . . . these and many other things. Thank you, Mother… Thank you, Papa. Because of these lessons, I believe I have a confident hope of an eternal home, and I have tried to share these things with your grandchildren. I am not very good at expressing my deep feelings for those who are closest to me, but I hope these words can in some small way express my love for Fanning Yater Tant and Helen Elizabeth Gotto Tant. I consider myself fortunate to have been your son. May God bless you as you continue to serve him in the sunset years of life.

Come on Over

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 02 Sep 2018 02:07:00 +0000

by Emma Wyatt

When I was newlywed, my husband asked if we could invite the visiting preacher over for supper one night. I panicked. I said no. I had just barely learned to cook. And everyone knows the only appropriate meal to feed a preacher is a pot roast, right? I didn't know how to cook one of those, and even if I did, we couldn't afford one. My house was tiny, the furniture hand me down, and my confidence lacking. Our table could sit 3 comfortably and 4 in a squeeze. Oh, and did I mention our table also doubled as all my counter space? Sam was disappointed, but he let it go.

Eventually, he asked again. This time, I gave in. I was only slightly less intimidated this time because the visiting preacher has specifically requested "a light meal". I made soup and cut up a cantaloupe. Guess what! The soup was gratefully eaten. My tiny house was complimented. My hospitality was appreciated.

I didn't grow up in a community of hospitality. My family didn't really invite people over. This was a new and somewhat scary world I was thrown into as a newlywed. It was something I wanted to engage in, but I had my own perspective of what was expected: big house - big meal - nice furniture - hostess with great conversation skills. I had exactly zero of four of these necessary qualities.

Eleven years, a bigger house, nicer furniture, and more room around the table later, I've figured something out: People don't care. Someone will always have a more comfortable home for hosting. Someone will always be a better cook. Someone will always have nicer furniture and a bigger table. People care that you cared enough about them to extend an invitation. And you know what? I have never cooked a pot roast for company! I've made brisket, fried chicken, enchiladas, homemade pizza, and lasagna. But I've also made hot dogs, cold cut sandwiches, store-bought pizza, and even just served store-bought ice cream and called it supper. Hint: it doesn't matter what you serve or if you can cook. What matters is, you can open up your home, you can open up your life to someone else.

I'd still like my home to be perfect for company. But with four kids, fat chance of that happening in the next ten years. So, I could wait ten years, or I can do the best with what I have. I think I'd much rather be cultivating relationships in my home now than waiting until everything is just right. So, if you come over this next month, my flooring project may or may not be totally completed. And I can pretty much guarantee that my front door handle will fall off from the inside. I may also burn supper. And there's a good chance I'll forget all about making dessert. But, I'll enjoy your company, and I hope you'll enjoy mine.

Fellowship Halls (Longhenry)

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 19:52:00 +0000

by Ethan R. Longhenry

It has become popular among many religious organizations and denominational churches to build and maintain a facility as part of their property which is used to facilitate the sharing of meals. Sometimes such facilities are considered a "multipurpose area" that might be used for meals, meetings, or other purposes; sometimes such facilities are uniquely designed for eating and sharing meals. Many among the churches of Christ have also built and maintained such facilities in the name of expediting the sharing of meals among fellow Christians. We do well to consider what the Scriptures teach and authorize.

The New Testament clearly demonstrates how early Christians manifested their association with one another by sharing meals. The Christians in Jerusalem shared meals from house to house, taking meals gladly and with singleness of heart (Acts 2:46). Exclusion from participating in shared meals was part of the consequences of disassociation (I Corinthians 5:11). The meal itself was not "fellowship"; in the New Testament fellowship is a relationship, something people share, not something that could be done (e.g. I John 1:1-7).

And yet the New Testament neither burdens the local church with the obligation of facilitating such meals nor authorizes the building or maintenance of a facility to be used to that end. The New Testament provides no command expecting the church, as a corporate collective, to share meals together; the New Testament likewise provides no example of any congregation, as a congregation, facilitating such meals. Instead, the Apostles expect Christians to provide hospitality to fellow Christians, providing lodging when necessary but at least opening their homes to one another in order to share meals together (Romans 12:13; I Peter 4:9). Thus there is no New Testament authority for the local church to build or maintain a fellowship hall.

Some wonder what the problem would be with "eating in the building." "Eating in the building" is not the problem per se. Early Christians met in homes (e.g. Romans 16:4-5, 23); it would not be in the least bit surprising if the people who hosted the congregation would also frequently host a meal for its members. In such a situation the host family is displaying hospitality (Romans 12:13; I Peter 4:9); the local congregation is not facilitating the meal. In an earlier time, many Christians would travel some distance in order to assemble with fellow Christians and would bring their lunch with them. After morning assemblies they would share their meals on the church grounds with fellow Christians. It would seem that the Christians in Corinth were doing something of the sort (I Corinthians 11:17-34). In such circumstances, the local congregation, as a congregation, is not actively facilitating such sharing of a meal. It is one thing to "eat in the building" or "eat on the grounds"; it is quite another to build and maintain a facility for such a purpose.

So how could a local congregation build or maintain a building in which to assemble but cannot build or maintain a facility for sharing meals? In the New Testament Christians are commanded to assemble (Hebrews 10:24-25); the local church must therefore have a place in which to assemble. A building is an authorized expedient so as to fulfill this command: the building is a helpful means by which the local congregation can facilitate the assembling of its constituent members, a responsibility given by God to the local church. Christians come together to share meals in the New Testament by agreement among individuals (bringing food and eating it together, as in I Corinthians 11:17-34, or in our age, going out to share a meal at a restaurant together) or by showing hospitality (inviting Christians to one's house and providing a meal, as in Acts 2:46). The church is nowhere commanded to run or direct such meals; the church is nowhere given that obligation or responsibility, and it remains the obligation of the individual Christian to show hospitality to fellow Christians (Romans 12:13; I Peter 4:9, III John 1:5-8). The New Testament provides no basis upon which to justify expediting examples; as such, there remains no authority for the fellowship hall.

It would undoubtedly be easier for the congregation to facilitate the sharing of meals among fellow Christians, but God imposed that responsibility squarely on the shoulders of individual Christians who are repeatedly commanded to show hospitality, freely and not begrudgingly, toward one another (Romans 12:13; I Peter 4:9). This is not an attempt to minimize the value or profit in sharing meals; in fact, it magnifies its importance, for we get to know one another best and be in better positions to edify and encourage one another when we open our homes up to one another and share meals with one another. May we show hospitality toward one another, build one another up, and glorify God!

Is there a possibility of being kind to an angel or are we just entertaining for angels to watch?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:39:00 +0000

Question:

In Hebrews 13:2 it says we are to be hospitable because in doing so some have entertained angels unawares. I'm trying to understand if this means there is a possibility we could show kindness to an actual angel (appearing as a human), or if by "entertaining" it is talking about them being entertained (i.e. rejoicing) by what we do to real humans during our lifetime.

Answer:

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels" (Hebrews 13:2).

The command to entertain strangers is given support by noting that some in the past have entertained angels without being aware of who their guests were. For example, Abraham served a meal for angels (Genesis 18). Lot took two angels into his home (Genesis 19). It isn't that everyone has entertained angels or that this is a common occurrence. The point is that no one ever knows when they might be entertaining an angel, so being hospitable should not be neglected.