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Bible Study:
Tarriance
SUBJECT: Matthew 25:35-36
...I was sick and you visited me
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Recently
my attention was drawn to a passage in Matthew 25. As you know, Matthew
25 is "Kingdom" scripture in that it discusses just who and who will not
be in the Kingdom of God.
Mathew 25:31-46
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels
with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate
them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the
left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee
an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren,
ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye
gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me
not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and
did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as
ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the
righteous into life eternal.
Today we are going to immerse ourselves in the meaning of these and
related scriptures.
Questions:
1] Are these scriptures saying that unless I visit a sick person or
visit someone in prison I will not be in the Kingdom?
2] Verse 35 speaks of strangers. To whom is this word referring?
3] Are these verses speaking to the church administration or individual
firstfruits?
4] Are ministers and members obligated to visit every sick and hungry
person for which they are made aware?
5] What does the word, "visit" mean?
6] What if I lack the resources to visit the sick or provide strangers
with food and clothing? What does God say in these cases?
7] Are these verses just speaking to physical actions or are other
elements indicated.
The purpose of this Bible study is to encourage all of us to have good
knowledge of scripture related to visiting the sick.
In this Bible study you are going to hear much about giving to and
caring for the needy. Before we get into those scriptures I want to give
you a very important, bottom-line principle.
2 Corinthians 8:11-14
...hereafter referred to as the 2 Corinthians 8
principle
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness
to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to
that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a
supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for
your want: that there may be equality:
Let us read this in some different Bible versions:
New Living Translation
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed
in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to
what you have.
12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give
according to what you have, not what you don't have.
13 Of course, I don't mean your giving should make life easy for others
and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later,
they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this
way, things will be equal.
New International Version
11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be
matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to
what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard
pressed, but that there might be equality.
14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that
in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,
So, we see clearly that we are to give as we are able. Notice what God
says later in this same book:
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always
having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the
poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for
your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your
righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of
the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Surely, as we continue to march forward in the Salvation Process, God
gives richly to us and this affords us the ability to take care of the
needy. We have two principles here:
1] God supplies your needs and increase according to His will.
2] We are to give only as we are able at any given moment or situation.
Let us begin by looking at some specific commentaries on Matthew
25:35-36
Matthew 25:35-36
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
I was an hungered - The union between
Christ and his people is the most tender and endearing of all
connections. It is represented by the closest unions of which we have
knowledge.
This is a union - not physical, but moral; a union of feelings,
interests, plans, destiny; or, in other words, he and his people have
similar feelings, love the same objects, share the same trials, and
inherit the same blessedness. Hence, he considers favors shown to his
people as shown to himself, and will reward them accordingly. They show
attachment to him, and love to his cause. By showing kindness to the
poor, the needy, and the sick, they show that they possess his spirit,
for he did it when on earth; they evince attachment to him, for he was
poor and needy; and they show that they have the proper spirit to outfit
them for [The Kingdom]. ~Barnes Notes
Note: As with all principles of God, the principle of
Matthew 25:35-36 is first, one of the heart, mind and soul of the
firstfruit. This principle is woven into the fabric of the saint.
It is from this that the physical action or "visit" will take place.
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat.
- The reason why those on the right hand are given the kingdom is now
shown. They had ministered unto the Savior. The deeds of loving kindness
that the truly benevolent do his needy disciples are named as having
been done to Christ. It should be noted (1) that the duties named are
such duties as every one can perform. Chrysostom says: "He said not I
was sick and ye healed me; or in prison and ye set me free; but ye
visited me and came unto me." (2) A real, personal service of Christ is
implied, one involving some sacrifice of ease, time and property.
~People's New Testament
Was a stranger - The word “stranger” means
a foreigner or traveler; in our language, one unknown to us. To receive
such to the rites of hospitality was, in Eastern countries, where there
were few or no public houses, a great virtue.
~Barnes Notes
Took me in - Into your house. Received me
kindly. ~Barnes Notes
Naked - Poorly clothed. Among the Jews they
were called “naked” who were clad in poor raiment, or who had on only
the “tunic” or inner garment, without any outer garment.
~Barnes Notes
Notice this from the Matthew Henry:
Matthew 25:35-36
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
Now the good works here mentioned are such as we commonly call works of
charity to the poor: not but that many will be found on the right hand
who never were in a capacity to feed the hungry, or clothe the naked,
but were themselves fed and clothed by the charity of others; but one
instance of sincere obedience is put for all the rest, and it teaches us
this in general, that faith working by love is all in all in
Christianity; Show me thy faith by thy works; and nothing will abound to
a good account hereafter, but the fruits of righteousness in a good
conversation now. The good works here described imply three things,
which must be found in all that are saved.
[1.] Self-denial, and contempt of the world; reckoning the things
of the world no further good things, than as we are enabled to do good
with them: and those who have not wherewithal to do good, must show the
same disposition, by being contentedly and cheerfully poor. Those are
fit for [The Kingdom] that are
mortified to the earth.
[2.] Love to our brethren; which is the second great commandment,
the fulfilling of the law, and an excellent preparative for the world of
everlasting love. We must give proof of this love by our readiness to do
good, and to communicate; good wishes are but mockeries without good
works, James 2:15-16, 1 John 3:17. Those that have not to give, must
show the same disposition some other way.
Quoted verses:
James 2:15-16
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and
filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful
to the body; what doth it profit?
1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of
God in him?
[3.] A believing regard to Jesus Christ. That which is here
rewarded is the relieving of the poor for Christ's sake, out of love to
him, and with an eye to him. This puts an excellency upon the good work,
when in it we serve the Lord Christ, which those may do that work for
their own living, as well as those that help to keep others alive. See
Ephesians 6:5-7. Those good works shall then be accepted which are done
in the name of the Lord Jesus, Colossians 3:17.
Quoted verses:
Ephesians 6:5-7
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
I was hungry, that is, my disciples and followers were so, either by the
persecutions of enemies for well-doing, or by the common dispensations
of Providence; for in these things there is one event to the righteous
and wicked: and you gave them meat. Note,
First, Providence so variously orders and disposes of the
circumstances of his people in this world, as that while some are in a
condition to give relief, others need it. It is no new thing for those
that are feasted with the dainties of heaven to be hungry and thirsty,
and to want daily food; for those that are at home in God, to be
strangers in a strange land; for those that have put on Christ, to want
clothes to keep them warm; for those that have healthful souls, to have
sickly bodies; and for those to be in prison, that Christ has made free.
Secondly, Works of charity and beneficence, according as our
ability is, are necessary to salvation; and there will be more stress
laid upon them in the judgment of the great day, than is commonly
imagined; these must be the proofs of our love, and of our professed
subjection to the gospel of Christ, 2 Corinthians 9:13. But they that
show no mercy, shall have judgment without mercy.
Quoted verse:
2 Corinthians 9:13
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your
professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
distribution unto them, and unto all men;
Now this reason is modestly excepted against by the righteous, but is
explained by the Judge himself.
1. It is questioned by the righteous, Matthew 25:37-39. Not as if they
were loth to inherit the kingdom, or were ashamed of their good deeds,
or had not the testimony of their own consciences concerning them: but,
Quoted verses:
Matthew 25:37-39
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee
an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed
thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
(1.) The expressions are parabolical [involving
a parable], designed to introduce and impress these great
truths, that Christ has a mighty regard to works of charity, and is
especially pleased with kindnesses done to his people for his sake. Or,
(2.) They bespeak the humble admiration which glorified saints will be
filled with, to find such poor and worthless services, as theirs are, so
highly celebrated, and richly rewarded: Lord, when saw we thee an
hungered, and fed thee? Note, Gracious souls are apt to think meanly of
their own good deeds; especially as unworthy to be compared with the
glory that shall be revealed. Far from this is the temper of those who
said, Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not? Isaiah 58:3. Saints
in [The Kingdom] will wonder what
brought them thither, and that God should so regard them and their
services. It even put Nathanael to the blush, to hear Christ's encomium
[en-koh-mee-uhm]-[praise]
of him: Whence knowest thou me? John 1:47-48. See Ephesians 3:20. “When
saw we thee an hungered? We have seen the poor in distress many a time;
but when saw we thee?” Note, Christ is more among us than we think he
is; surely the Lord is in this place, by his word, his ordinances, his
ministers, his Spirit, yea, and his poor, and we know it not: When thou
wert under the fig-tree, I saw thee, John 1:48.
Quoted verses:
John 1:47-48
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an
Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and
said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the
fig tree, I saw thee.
Ephesians 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
John 1:48 [quoted above]
2. It is explained by the Judge himself (Matthew 25:40); Inasmuch as ye
have done it to these my brethren, to the least, to one of the least of
them, ye have done it unto me. The good works of the saints, when they
are produced in the great day,
(1.) Shall all be remembered; and not the least, not one of the least,
overlooked, no not a cup of cold water.
(2.) They shall be interpreted most to their advantage, and the best
construction that can be put upon them. As Christ makes the best of
their infirmities, so he makes the most of their services.
We see what recompenses Christ has for those that feed the hungry, and
clothe the naked; but what will become of the godly poor, that had not
wherewithal to do so? Must they be shut out? No,
[1.] Christ will own them, even the least of them, as his brethren; he
will not be ashamed, nor think it any disparagement to him, to call them
brethren, Hebrews 2:11. In the height of his glory, he will not disown
his poor relations; Lazarus is there laid in his bosom, as a friend, as
a brother. Thus he will confess them, Matthew 10:32.
Quoted verses:
Hebrews 2:11
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:
for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Matthew 10:32
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also
before my Father which is in heaven.
[2.] He will take the kindness done to them, as done to himself; Ye have
done it unto me; which shows a respect to the poor that were relieved,
as well as to the rich that did relieve them. Note, Christ espouses his
people's cause, and interests himself in their interests, and reckons
himself received, and love, and owned in them. If Christ himself were
among us in poverty, how readily would we relieve him? In prison, how
frequently would we visit him? We are ready to envy the honour they had,
who ministered to him of their substance, Luke 8:3. Wherever poor saints
and poor ministers are, there Christ is ready to receive our kindnesses
in them, and they shall be put to his account.
~Matthew Henry Main
Quoted verse:
Luke 8:3
And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many
others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Points of Conversation
Is the church headquarters required to send a minister to every sick
member in the World?
Principle: 2 Corinthians 8:11-14 ...give
as you are able. This principle applies to the church
organization, its headquarters, the office of the Area Coordinator or
the local church organization, as well as, to the individual firstfruit.
Are ministers to personally anoint every member when they are sick?
Acts 19:11-12
Act 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
Act 19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs
or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits
went out of them.
What prompted an anointing in the first place?
James 5:13-15
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing
psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
On the subject of greeting cards, phone calls, letters, e-mails,
flowers, money and gifts:
All of these listed items are manifestations of your "visit" and thanks
be to God that we have many or all of them at our disposal. However, no
member is necessarily or specifically obligated to use any of them. All
of these elements come under the heading of personal elements of belief
and personal preference. I often see members demonstrating talent in one
or two areas over the others. Some are great on the phone [I
am not one of these] and others respond with a greeting card
within hours of hearing of someone being sick, infirmed or in need. The
ministry, in its preaching, many mention these as possible resources,
but not will obligate you or guilt you into using any of them. How you
manifest your visit is entirely up to you. How you use any of these
resources will depend on your means, ability, talents and/or personal
preference to do so.
At the same time, the church and ministry will teach, preach, admonish
and encourage you to pray and remember/consider all those who are sick,
imprisoned or otherwise in some kind of need.
What is the responsibility of the Matthew 25:35 person [the
hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or imprisoned]?
The answer is right there in verses 35 and 36.
Matthew 25:35-36
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave
me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in
prison, and ye came unto me.
For an individual to state that he was hungry, he must have made it
known. Jesus says, "and ye gave me meat." How ever could the person give
him meat unless he knew he was hungry? Therefore it is the absolute
responsibility of the Matthew 25:35 person to make his situation known.
This is to include any desires he or she might have.
If a member desires to be anointed, ask to be
anointed.
If a member desires to be visited by a minister,
let that desire be known.
If a member wants visits by brethren, let that
desire be known.
If a member wants a local prayer request to be distributed,
contact the person administrating that local
prayer network. Ditto for the National Prayer Network.
If a member desires a greeting card, call, letter or e-mail,
let those specific desires be known.
If a member is in need of food, clothes, or even financial help,
make this abundantly known.
The best time to state many of these desires is before the need. That
is, in your normal, long-term fellowship and/or counseling
communications, let this be known. One of my questions to all of my
currently healthy and prosperous friends in the church is, "If, God
forbid, you were to have a heart attack or diagnosed with cancer, what
would your desires be?
Now, having stated all this, the 2 Corinthians 8 principle will be
abundantly applied. A minister will visit, if it is possible. Brethren
will visit, if they have the resources to make that happen. A greeting
card will be sent if there be a "greeting card person" moved to do so.
What are some of the responsibilities of firstfruits hearing of a
Matthew 25:35 person?
1] One responsibility, clearly, is for you to be immersed in scriptures
that speak to those in need. We are doing this right now. All firstfruit
believers live by every word of God.
2] Another responsibility would be to let it be known to your friends,
the ministry and/or your Area Coordinator what your resources, talents
and personal preferences might be. That is, if you are a greeting card
person, let that be known. If your desire is and your resources make it
possible for you to visit the sick within 50 or 100 miles of your
location, let that be known.
3] Yet another is to let others know of your knowledge of the Matthew
25:35 person. For example, we have a deaconess in the church who uses
her talents and resources to let everyone in her circle of brethren know
about anniversaries, birthdays, accidents and sicknesses. Another member
I am aware of, is proficient at obtaining update information and getting
that to the ministry for further distribution.
4] As a potential Matthew 25:35 person, I would encourage you to let it
be know whether you would want a personal visit by other brethren. That
is, let it be known what is not necessary in your case. Some individuals
might not require or desire personal visits or phone calls. You may have
any number of personal elements of belief in this area. These should be
made known before and especially as the Matthew 25:35 situation unfolds.
Notice what Paul said:
1 Thessalonians 5:25
Brethren, pray for us.
5] Avoid all guilt. I don't want anyone feeling guilty for not calling
or sending a greeting card. There is no judgment here, among the
brethren, as to how you manifest your "visit."
6] Pray for the Matthew 25:35 person. Pray for all the brethren.
1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1 Thessalonians 3:12
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another,
and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints.
The phrase here, "and watching thereunto" is an encouragement to look
for opportunities to serve, including "visits" to the Matthew 25:35-36
individual.
---End of Bible Study---
Follow-up Q & A
After the above Bible study I received some questions and other,
related subject areas have been come up. We will discuss these
here.
1] Every case unique: Matthew
25:35-36 describes any number of individuals: members, family
members, friends and strangers who are either sick, hungry, thirst, in
need of clothing, in need of shelter, in need of financial help and/or
in prison. Every case and every situation is going to be
different. Clearly one of these individuals could be suffering
from more than one of the listed afflictions. We could have an
individual who is both sick and in prison. We could have one who
is sick and without any resources to address the sickness. One
person could be temporarily ill while another is facing death in a
matter of months.
2] Other Contributing Factors: There
are other factors in play here. Those contributing factors might
be:
a) Distance. In Paul's day, as well as,
the early days of the Worldwide Church of God, there were many members,
generally in close proximity to each other. Some church areas
today have a number of members in rather close proximity. Many are
scattered all over North America, Europe and Australia. Several
are unable to travel great distances to conduct in-person visits the
Matthew 25 individual.
b) Means. Many members may not have the
means to get physically to the sick or imprisoned individual.
c) Age and Health. The member may be
precluded from physical visits due to their own health or age.
d) Career and Duties. The member might
have a job or other duties that keep them from sometimes or ever making
a visit.
These are just some of the mitigating factors that could affect whether
a member could make a physical visit to the Matthew 25 individual.
3] Definition of, "Visit": What is
the point or mission of a personal and physical visit to the Matthew 25
individual? It clearly is the heart, mind and soul of one person
making contact with the other. Everything about interpersonal
relationships is communication between one heart and mind with another.
Jesus says that the greatest Godly principle is love for God and our
fellow man. Are we saying that love, kindness and outgoing concern
can only be expressed in a physical visit? Surely not.
Indeed, unlike the days of Peter and Paul, we have many technologies
that afford us of making contact. If we are unable to use means of
modern transportation, such as cars, trains and airplanes, we have a
postal system, parcel services, flower delivery services, gift delivery
services, telegraph services, the Internet, e-mail, greeting card
services -physical and online,
telephones, faxes, cell phones, social media [texting,
Facebook, Twitter], audio and video media [cassettes,
CDs and DVDs] and any number of other technologies we could
list.
Any one or combination of these elements is one making contact and
abundantly showing one's love, kindness and outgoing concern.
Virtually all of these elements are "visits" to the Matthew 25
individual. The heart-to-heart communication is accomplished.
Now any member may have a personal element of belief that says that only
in-person visits show outgoing concern and love. I applaud their
belief, while giving caution that they do not unrighteously judge others
in the congregation who use other means to make their love and concern
known.
We have prayer networks within the Church of God. When someone is
in affliction, all members of the network are notified to pray for that
person. Are members expected to offer their prayers to God exclusively
at the home of the afflicted? Of course not. My experience
is that every person reported to a prayer network is abundantly thankful
for these prayers regardless of where the prayers were made. They
are thankful for the simple fact that outgoing concern and love was
expressed. Indeed, several members follow up their prayers with
some sort of "visit" using elements we list above.
4] The element of status or duty position in the
church: The history of the afflicted individual is
irrelevant to the principle of Matthew 25. God is not a respecter
of persons. Therefore, the principle given to firstfruits
regarding the afflicted member or stranger is without regard to their
length of time in the church, how much they have contributed in tithes
and offerings or the duty positions they might have in the church.
Those giving abundantly to the church and ministers do not receive
preferential treatment over other members or strangers. Jesus
Christ is speaking in Matthew 25 to the character and responsibilities
of the firstfruit who is made aware of someone in affliction.
5] Those unable to make their affliction known:
What is to be done in the case of an afflicted person who
cannot make their situation and/or desires known? Again, every
situation is unique, but generally speaking, each person might have
someone in their proximity who can make their situation and desires
known. As I stated in the Bible study, the best time to do this is
prior to or as the affliction is setting in. In one recent
incident, we had a long-time member beset with long-term health problems
and accident situations stemming from the illness. In this
person's case, there were a number of local members who could see to the
afflicted person's needs and make contact with prayer networks and the
ministry. As I made abundantly clear, they [these
third parties] must insure that the desires and requests of
the afflicted person are known. If the afflicted would like a
specific visit by a minister, they should continue in these contacts
with the church or ministry until they get confirmation that the
in-person can be made or until they receive word that the in-person
visit will not be possible at that time.
Once the confirmation is received that an in-person visit is not
possible at this time, the ministry will avail themselves of the other
forms of "visiting" to include the sending of anointed cloths [as
needed and requested] and any other desire or request the
afflicted person has made abundantly known.
6] A question about the duty of a minister:
I was asked the question at to whether the ministry should be scanning
the greater scattered ICG congregation to ascertain where any are in
affliction. I do not readily see a procedure or means by how this
might be carried out. I was also asked whether ministers, making
initial contact with the afflicted person, should ask if they would like
an anointed cloth or reporting to a prayer network. I have no
issue with any minister doing so while, at the same time, pointing out
that the James 5:14 principle that says, "Is any sick
among you? let him call for the elders
of the church." Surely, the primary responsibility here is on the
afflicted person to make his situation and requests known. The
afflicted person should make his desire for an anointed cloth or
placement on a prayer network known.
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If any of you have questions regarding the Matthew 25:35-36 individual
or anything discussed here, contact me right away.
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