Rescue Missions - An Old Idea

    From the earliest days of Christianity, believers have been
mindful of the teachings of Jesus in regards to taking care of people
who are in need.  Even our popular legend of Santa Claus comes from
the fourth century bishop, Saint Nickolas, who was lived in Myra of
Asia Minor and was known for his generosity to the poor men and women
of his time.

    The sixth chapter of Acts records the first organized efforts
towards Christian charity.  The apostles took up collections and
distributed the food daily to the widows and those in need.  Because a
dispute arose over how they were handling it, they decided to appoint
seven men over the work.  This would allow more time could be devoted
to the work while the apostles would have more time to devote to
prayer and preaching.  Obviously the early church considered physical
ministry to people's needs as an important part of the the churches
mission.

    This system continued to grow in the early church over the years. 
The Roman emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion
in the fourth century.  When Julian, his nephew, became emperor in
361, he tried to bring the empire back to it's pagan roots while
keeping at the same time some of what he considered the best parts of
Christianity.  In a letter that Julian wrote to Arsacius, High Priest
of Galatia, he said, "Why do we not notice that it is their kindness
to strangers, their care for the graves of the dead and the pretended
holiness of their lives that have done most to increase atheism (i.e.
Christianity)?  I believe that we ought really and truly to practice
every one of these virtues.  And it is not enough for you alone to
practice them, but so must all the priests in Galatia, without
exception ...

    Arsacius was to set up hostels on the Christian model: 'In every
city establish frequent hostels in order that strangers may profit by
our generosity; I do not mean for our own people only, but for others
also who are in need of money ... For it is disgraceful that, when no
Jew ever has to beg and the impious Galileans (Christians) support
both their own poor and ours as well, all men see that our people lack
aid from us ...'

    In our own day, much of the needs of the poor are taken care of by
our governmental agencies.  As good as this care is, there are still
many who fall through the cracks of even the best program.  That is
why as believers in Christ Jesus, we are still reaching out to the
least, the last, and the lost of our fellow creation.

Frank Cooke

Acts 6:1-6 N.K.J.V.
The History of Christianity, Richard A. Todd, Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., PP. 137,138