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BIBLE VISITATION
(Barry K. Villaverde, taken from Sound
Words, Vol XII, No. 6)
Visitation is going or coming to see someone. It is the making of a call upon others for
social reasons. And it is going over as a guest of another. Indeed visitation is all these
things . . . that is, when considering the dictionary definition. And, all things being
equal, these are healthy actions. Nonetheless, is this God’s definition of
visitation, the visitation that His children should be practicing as faithful Christians?
"NO!" shouts the bible; though, sadly, far too many of us believe it is, as
evidenced by what we do and consequently label "visitation." If we are to please
God we must learn and practice visitation according to the Bible.
VISITATION DEFINED
The Greek word most often translated
"visit" in the New Testament which applies to this study is episkeptomai. Its
unaffected meaning is "to carefully look upon; to inspect." Of its eleven
occurrences in the Bible, five refer to God’s visitation of men and six refer to
men’s visitation of other men (though in one of those instances the Holy Spirit
applied it in a slightly different way from the others – Acts 6:3). However, the
remaining ten cases provide sufficient evidence to understand the Bible’s applied
meaning; that is to understand what visitation is according to the Bible.
GOD’S VISITATION OF MAN
Luke 1:68-79 records Zacharias’s prophecyof redemption through the coming Messiah. It
speaks of God’s visitation of his people with spiritual relief. Motivated by mercy
and love, this visitation is both active and sacrificial. Luke 7:11-17 is the account of
the widow’s son being resurrected by the Lord. Following this compassionate work of
Christ the people correctly exclaims that "God has visited his people" (vs. 16)
as God through his Son brought physical, emotional, and spiritual relief to those in need.
Likewise, and the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:1-21) James pointed out how God had
"visited the Gentiles" in reference to Peter’s work with Cornelius (Acts
15:7-11, 14). Of course, this refers to the conversion of Cornelius and his household at
the hearing and believing of the gospel preached by Peter (Acts 10-11), spiritual help
brought about through the preaching of God’s word. And, though Hebrews 2:6 may apply
to Christ, it’s original intent in Psalm 8 was toward God’s care for man. In all
instances God’s visitation of man involved active spiritual, physical, and/or
emotional relief to those who had a great need of it.
MAN’S VISITATION OF MAN
A valuable context to consider is Matthew 25:31-46, part of Jesus’ discourse
concerning his second coming (24:36-25:46). In this judgment scene the Lord puts a premium
on practical goodness. Though visitation is applied to those either sick or in prison all
examples are of people with real physical and emotional needs. Approval is given to those
who see the problem and actively bring help by sacrificing of themselves in some way.
Stephen’s wonderful sermon in Acts 7 refers to when Moses made choice to "visit
his brethren," determining to do his part in delivering them from oppression (Acts
7:23-25), physical and spiritual aid to a nation sorely in need. Following their work in
Antioch Paul and Barnabas determined to go "visit . . . [their] . . . brethren in
every city where . . . [they had] . . . preached the word of the Lord" (Acts 15:36).
Splitting up, Paul took Silas and strengthened those churches of Christ in faith resulting
in an increase in number daily (Acts 15:41-16:5). Finally, James 1:27 records
inspiration’s definition of pure and undefiled religion. True service to God includes
visitation of the fatherless and widows "in their affliction" – the
providing of practical aid and relief for those troubles and tribulations associated with
being bereft of one’s parents or of one’s mate. These verses collectively show
that man’s visitation of man also involves actively bringing spiritual, physical,
and/or emotional relief to those who have a great need of it.
APPLICATION
According to the Bible visitation should be defined as "actively doing what YOU can
to bring practical relief and help to those who have a need, no matter what the need may
be." It is important to note that this type of visitation puts a premium upon deeds,
not upon words. It is neither socially oriented nor geared toward entertainment but it is
practical concern for those in distress (whether spiritually, physically, emotionally,
etc.). Biblical visitation demands the mind set of being committed first and foremost to
God, the willingness to sacrifice in giving oneself to the Lord and to others, and the
motivation of love and mercy for those in need. It necessitates the realization that men
do not exist of and for themselves but first for God and then for others (Mark 12:30-31).
CONCLUSION
Many churches of Christ have visitation programs, but how many have Biblical visitation
programs? Brethren, let’s continue to get together to eat, socialize, and share with
one another, but let us not substitute such for Bible visitation. Every child of God must
be active in visitation God’s way. Are you visiting erring brethren with spiritual
relief? Are you visiting the sick and afflicted with what aid you can bring? Are you
spending time giving your shoulder to someone in deep sorrow? Are you doing what you can
for those in need? This is visitation according to the Bible – are you practicing it?
BUT THE CHURCH ISN'T MEETING MY NEEDS
Randy Dodson (Seek The Old Paths, Dec. 2000, edited for space)
To be sure, the above title could well take on any one of several meanings, depending on
the context in which the statement is made. However, only one application is of interest
herein. This statement is many times made by those who purport to be dissatisfied with the
role the New Testament church plays in their lives, particularly in corporate worship.
When used in this particular context, the phrase takes on the following meaning: "The
church isn't meeting my needs. Our worship services aren't meaningful. Let's change our
corporate worship so that it is more meaningful and meets my needs."
This sentiment, perhaps even genuinely expressed, reflects a deep misunderstanding of both
the purpose of worship and the role the worshiper plays in it. The sentiments expressed
above would seem to suggest that the primary purpose of worship is to "meet my
needs." Certainly the formal corporate assembly of the saints provides opportunity
for worshipers to meet certain spiritual needs: fellowship (Acts 2:41-42), edification
(Eph. 4:11-13), education (2 Tim. 3:15-17). In fact, that list could go on for a while.
However, the Bible does not support the viewpoint that the primary purpose for corporate
worship is to meet the needs of worshipers.
What then is the primary purpose of Christian worship? Webster defines "worship"
as "paying homage or service to deity; expressions of devotion or adoration to
deity." Thus, in the very nature of the case the primary purpose of Christian worship
is to pay homage, or express devotion to God.
The concept of expressing devotion to God is not a new one, and in fact is as old as time
itself. In Genesis 4:1-7, Moses records the worship of Cain and Abel. Abel's worship was
acceptable to God (4:4); Cain's worship was unacceptable (4:5). Why were they worshiping
God to begin with? Was it to meet their needs or was it because God commanded them to do
so? Moreover, how did they know to worship at all? . . .
Abraham does the same thing in Genesis 22:1-2. "And it came to pass after these
things, that God did prove Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham. And he said, Here am I.
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee
into the land of Moriah. And offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the
mountains which I will tell thee of." God gave Abraham instruction for proper
worship, and Abraham acted. . . .
Hebrews 11 discusses the worship of Abel and Abraham. Both were instructed of God
concerning the proper address to him. Both responded to those divinely revealed
instructions. Why? What made them respond thusly? The Hebrew writer says it was faith.
Hebrews 11:4,17, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than
Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness
in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh. ... By faith Abraham,
being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering
up his only begotten son...." Abel and Abraham were instructed of God, they responded
to that revelation through faith. Thus, faith always presupposes a previous revelation.
Paul confirms this in Romans 10:17. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God."
Why has God asked us to worship him? Why has God from the beginning of time to the present
asked man to approach him in worship and expected him to do it correctly? For this reason
alone: he has made us creatures of worship. He created us to worship him. He is worthy of
our devotion as the creator of the universe (Rev. 4:11). He is our sovereign (1 Tim.
6:15). He has redeemed us through his Son (Rev. 5:9-14). Throughout the Psalms (29:2;
42:4; 89:7; 95:2-3), David acknowledges the fear, reverence and thanksgiving owed God
through worship. As the creator he knows us, and knows we need an outlet for our devotion.
Looking back, we can see why God told the Israelites to "...have no other gods before
me" (Exodus 20:3). God alone is the audience for our worship.
So in times of old, God revealed to his people how he wanted to be approached. They
responded to that revelation by approaching him in the manner requested because they
believed (had faith) that what God has asked them to do was right, reasonable and proper.
Note further that the approach to God was made without thought to the personal preferences
of the worshiper.
Additionally, notice the blessings bestowed on both worshipers. Is that primarily why Abel
and Abraham approached God in worship -- to receive blessings from Him? No. Did blessings
follow? Yes. Abel's blessing was God's acceptance of his sacrifice. Abraham was blessed
when the life of his son was spared. However, in neither case did the worshiper approach
God with the express thought in mind of what might be obtained from worship.
Has God revealed to his people today (the church of Christ) how he wants to be approached
in corporate worship? Indeed, he has. Our liberal friends can ridicule it all they like -
it makes it no less true. It is what God's word plainly teaches. Singing Eph. 5:19, Col.
3:16 Praying James 5:16, Col. 4:2, Eph. 6:18 Teaching Acts 2:42, Matt. 28:20 Lord's supper
1 Cor. 11:23-28 Giving 1 Cor. 16:1-2 There you have it, i.e., God's divine revelation to
us. Are we ready to accept it, and respond to it in faith and approach him as he has
requested, just as Abel and Abraham and so many others down through the ages have done? .
. .
As we look back at Biblical history, surely God's people in our day have not become so
presumptuous that we would engage in worship that he has not authorized. Would his people
further assume to have his approval and approbation for such practices? Are we prepared
for the consequences of such arrogance (Lev. 10:1-2; Matt. 7:21-23)? In his book, Piloting
the Strait, Dave Miller deals with these sentiments in a very powerful way. He reminds his
readers (paraphrasing) of their youth when parents would often attempt to teach their
children to eat something they might not like. Remember what your parents said? Two
things, right? Eat it anyway, and learn to like it; it's good for you. "But I don't
like doing it this way, it doesn't meet my needs." Friends, where correct Christian
worship is concerned, do it God's way anyway, and learn to like it, its good for you. |
