Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church of Israel being supported by the people is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the communal and covenantal relationship between God, His chosen people, and the institutions established for worship and governance. This support is both spiritual and material, ensuring the sustenance of religious practices and the leaders appointed to guide the community in faithfulness to God's commandments.Biblical Foundations The support of the Church of Israel by the people is first seen in the establishment of the Levitical priesthood. The tribe of Levi was set apart for religious duties, and their sustenance was provided by the other tribes through tithes and offerings. Numbers 18:21 states, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the Tent of Meeting." This system ensured that those dedicated to the service of God could focus on their spiritual responsibilities without the burden of secular labor. Tithes and Offerings The practice of tithing, giving a tenth of one's produce or income, was a primary means by which the people supported the religious institutions. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 instructs, "You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields. And you are to eat before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—the tithe of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks—so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always." This command not only provided for the Levites but also reinforced the communal worship and reverence for God. Support for the Temple The construction and maintenance of the Temple, as the central place of worship, also relied on the contributions of the people. In 1 Chronicles 29:9 , we read of the people's generous response to King David's call for offerings for the Temple: "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly." This collective effort highlights the shared responsibility and joy in supporting the house of God. Prophetic Encouragement The prophets often called the people back to faithful support of the religious institutions, emphasizing the blessings associated with obedience. Malachi 3:10 exhorts, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." This promise underscores the reciprocal relationship between the people's support and God's provision. New Testament Continuation In the New Testament, the principle of supporting those who labor in the ministry continues. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 , draws a parallel to the Old Testament practice: "Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of its food, and those who attend to the altar share in the offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." This continuity reflects the enduring expectation that the community of believers supports its leaders and institutions. Conclusion The biblical model of the Church of Israel being supported by the people is a testament to the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where communal responsibility and divine blessing are intricately linked. Through tithes, offerings, and willing contributions, the people of Israel ensured the sustenance of their religious institutions, fostering a vibrant and faithful community dedicated to the worship and service of the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 34:20But the firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb: and if you redeem him not, then shall you break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 16:17 Library The Same Conclusion Supported by the Transfiguration Marcion ... A Liberal Church The Sacred Officers and Sacred Occasions. On the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Commandments of the Church Whether Oblations are Due to Priests Alone? Standing with the People The People on the Earth: Chapters 2-3 In Our Last Chapter we Sought to Show that in Rev. . . Comparison Between the False Church and the True. The Barren Fig-Tree. Resources What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the church? | GotQuestions.org What is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. 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And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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