Service
Service: Voluntary and loving sacrifice for Christ and for one another. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (Acts 2:44, 45).
Jesus had indicated that the mark of greatness in the Kingdom was the propensity for service (Matthew 20:26-28), and service to fellow Christians became the equivalent of service to Christ (Matthew. 25:40).
The practical expression of service offered by the early Christians has diverse expression, but examples given by Luke are that the Jerusalem church often sold possessions to give to the needy among them (Acts 2:45), and at times they sold homes for the same purpose (Acts 4:34, 35).
The key for the service of the early church was that these acts were voluntary. The fact that Luke singles out Barnabas (Acts 4:37) may indicate that this particular expression was highly unusual. These acts of service were voluntary acts of kindness toward one another offered in behalf of Christ for the advancement of the Kingdom.
Clement of Rome says that some in his day had “given themselves up to bonds, in order that they might ransom others. Many, too, have surrendered themselves to slavery, that, with the price which they have received for themselves, they might provide food for others” (Clement, Corinthians).
Ignatius encouraged Polycarp not to neglect widows, but to be their protector and friend. His advice provides us with our greatest clue toward the second century expression of service within the Christian community: “Labor together with one another; strive in company together; run together; suffer together; sleep together; and awake together; as the stewards, and associates, and servants of God” (Ignatius, Epistle to Polycarp).