PRACTICE OF RESTITUTION IN THE EARLY CHURCH

PRACTICE OF RESTITUTION IN THE EARLY CHURCH

                                                     LESSON FOUR

MAIN IDEA:  The Apostles in the early church taught and practiced restitution. Infact the whole church of God lived by it.

STUDY TEXTS: “Acts 23:2-5, Philemon 7-21”

LESSON OBJECTIVE:       To make known that just as restitution was part of the Old Testament, the early church taught and practiced it with vigour.

INTRODUCTION:

Restitution is as much as part of the gospel as conversion or water baptism. It is not a self-righteous act to merit pardon. When a man is saved, he will not only make right matters of money such as theft, dishonest gains and unpaid bills, but also he will confess his lies, unjust criticisms, hatred, malice those things in which one may have injured others in word or deed. It is better that we make right all previous wrongs here than face them in eternity.

Paul, the Apostle, was quick to make restitution to the high priest whom he reviled. Unknown to him that he was speaking rudely to the high Priest, Paul said “I wist not brethren, that he was the high Priest: for it is written, thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people” (Acts 23:1-5). Onesimus was once a slave to a Christian. Philemon, whom he robbed and fled to Rome. After his conversion, through the ministry of Paul, he had to make restitution with the assistance of the apostle’s epistle to his master.

SUBJECT MATTERS:

1.                 Making restitution can be likened to a spiritual warfare in which we need God’s help and wisdom to be able to overcome. (1^st Cor. 10:31)

2.                 Some restitutions are delicate because they may implicate or bring injuries or harm to other people who may not be saved. (Prov. 4:7)

3.                 Some cases of restitutions involve settlement of issues with individuals or organizations that may adversely affect other people. (Philemon 8)

4.                 Restitutions may also be delicate if they include cases in which we do not have clear leading from the Bible as to what steps to take. In such cases, we need fervent prayer, wisdom and counseling from spirit-filled ministers of God who believe and teach the whole counsel of God. (Philemon 8:14)

5.                 Every believers should be willing to obey this demand of God as it is for our benefit. Restitution is mostly considered at the time of salvation because God will only forgive when a man is willing, so far as it lies within his power, to make right every wrong that he has committed against others. (Is. 1:19)

6.                 It must be needed throughout one’s life time as a Christian to be ready to make restitutions where necessary. (Phil. 2:12)

7.                 The civil laws in a country may not always adjudicate in matters of restitution. For example, the law may provide a time limit for certain cases of debts and obligations, after which they may lapse; but no debts are out lawed with God. Time cannot cancel moral obligations. (Ezek. 18:4)

PRACTICAL LESSON:

          All that have been discussed under subject matters can be used as practical lessons.

MEMORY VERSE:     “Acts 23:5”

          Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Though shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

DISCUSSION:

1.                             Explain how Christian handle restitutions that are delicate and may involve litigation.

2.                             Mention some Bible characters that have made restitutions and the issues involved.

3.                             Why the whole business of restitution?