“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.” (Matt. 4:23-25.)
As I read these verses, three words stand out in bold relief to me. They are: teaching, preaching, and healing. All three are present participles indicating continuous action. Jesus was in the synagogues in Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing. Jesus was busy. There were great crowds that followed him from Galilee, Decapolis – that region of ten cities, even as far away as Jerusalem and Judaea and beyond the Jordan or Peraea.
Some might divide these three action words into two nouns: evangelism and benevolence. The teaching and preaching would be spreading the good news, evangelism; healing, of course, would be benevolence. Some are very strict in making a distinction between evangelism and benevolence. However, doing good, kindness, is connected to evangelism. Paul said, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10.) Helping someone in need, providing food for the hungry and clothes for the poor, or a cup of cold water to the thirsty is a form of evangelism. It softens the heart of another, making it possible to plant the seed, the word of God in a person’s heart. So, in a sense, one really cannot separate evangelism and benevolence.
The above-quoted text tells of the beginning of our Lord’s ministry on the earth. As one continues to follow his steps, it can be seen that this was our Lord’s modus operandi. He taught and did good. He preached and healed. He taught his disciples to do the same. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16.) The good works that his disciples do can lead to individuals obeying the gospel. Thus, glorifying the Father. This refrain is repeated throughout the New Testament. When Jesus sent his disciples out on what is called the Limited Commission, he said, “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10:7–8.) They were to preach the kingdom was near and to heal the sick. Of course, they had miraculous powers given to them. Though we cannot do miracles today, we can do good as we try to teach others.
The early church was involved in teaching and helping the needy. Luke records, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.” (Acts 2:42-45)
When there arose murmuring because the Grecian widows had been being neglected in their daily needs, the apostles said to the church, “It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4.) So, they were caring for the widows as well as continuing to preach the word of God. Evangelism and benevolence go hand in hand. Christians need to do the same; that is, teach the gospel, and help the needy, as we have the opportunity. This is also true with congregations.
In the book of Galatians, Paul was addressing the Judaizing teachers who were trying to bind circumcision on the Gentile Christians. In his defense of the truth he wrote, “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” (Gal. 2:9-10) James, Peter, and John recognized the favor God had bestowed on Paul and Barnabas; so, they extended the right hand of fellowship to Paul and Barnabas as they went preaching to the Gentiles, but they wanted Paul and Barnabas to remember the poor as they went. This Paul was doing and would continue to do. Evangelism and benevolence, according to the apostles, went hand in hand.
Someone has said that others will not care what we know until they know that we care. Look for opportunities today to help another – a phone call, a card, a text, a word of encouragement. Elizabeth McE. Shields wrote: