Serving Others Regardless of Spiritual Background

The concept of serving others regardless of their spiritual background is rooted in biblical teachings and has been interpreted and applied in various ways throughout Christian history. The biblical anchor for this concept lies in passages that emphasize the universal nature of Christian service and the equality of all believers before God.

In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews describes angels as "ministering spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation" ^[1]. This passage highlights the role of spiritual beings in serving those who are on the path to salvation, without distinction. Similarly, the apostle Paul writes in Romans that he is "a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God" ^[2]. This underscores the idea that Christian service is not limited to those within a particular spiritual or ethnic group.

The principle of serving others without regard to their spiritual background is further reinforced by the abolition of distinctions between different groups in the Christian community. According to Adam Clarke's commentary on Colossians 3:11, in the new creation, "no inquiry is made what nation the persons belonged to, or from what ancestry they had sprung" ^[3]. This suggests that the Christian community transcends traditional boundaries and that service within this community is not conditioned on an individual's spiritual or ethnic background.

The early Christian church grappled with the issue of how to relate to those outside the Jewish tradition. The apostolic council in Acts 15, as interpreted by John Gill, marked a significant turning point in this regard. Gill notes that God "put no difference between us and them" ^[5], indicating that the early Christian community came to recognize the equality of Gentile believers and their full inclusion in the church.

In the view of the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, the principle of serving others regardless of their spiritual background is closely tied to the idea of the universal availability of salvation. Clarke comments on Romans 10:12 that "all are equally welcome to this salvation" ^[7], emphasizing that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek in this regard.

The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, highlights the importance of using one's gifts for the benefit of others within the Christian community. Their commentary on 1 Peter 4:10 notes that each Christian is a steward of the gifts they have received and is called to "minister the same one to another" ^[6]. This underscores the idea that Christian service is not limited to those with a particular spiritual status or background.

The concept of serving others regardless of their spiritual background has significant implications for the way Christians understand their role in the world. As Adam Clarke comments on Hebrews 1:14, angels are "constantly employed in averting evil and procuring good" for those who believe in Christ Jesus ^[8]. While the nature and extent of angelic ministry are not fully understood, this passage suggests that Christian service is part of a broader divine economy that encompasses both human and spiritual agents.

In practical terms, serving others regardless of their spiritual background involves recognizing the inherent value and dignity of every individual. As Adam Clarke notes in his commentary on Leviticus 21:17, those who minister in holy things should be free from personal defects or characteristics that might render them contemptible or despicable ^[4]. By extension, this principle can be applied to the way Christians serve others, emphasizing the importance of integrity, compassion, and humility in their service.

The idea of serving others without regard to their spiritual background is also closely tied to the concept of Christian stewardship. According to Adam Clarke's commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:13, it is the privilege of Christian churches to support the ministry of the Gospel among them, and those who do not contribute to this support are considered inferior ^[9]. This highlights the importance of generosity and mutual support within the Christian community.

Sources

Hebrews “Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? -- Hebrews 1:14”
Romans “that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 15:16”
Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3:11: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew - In which new creation no inquiry is made what nation the persons belonged to, or from what ancestry they had sprung, whether in Judea or Greece. Circumcision nor uncircumcision - Nor is their peculiar form of religion of any consideration, whether circumcised like the Jews, or uncircumcised like the heathens. Barbarian, Scythian - Nor whether of the more or less tractable of the nations of the world; for although knowledge, and the most refined and sublime knowledge, is the object to be attained, yet, under the teaching and”
Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 21:17: Whosoever - hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God - Never was a wiser, a more rational, and a more expedient law enacted relative to sacred matters. The man who ministers in holy things, who professes to be the interpreter of the will of God, should have nothing in his person nor in his manner which cannot contribute to render him respectable in the eyes of those to whom he ministers. If, on the contrary, he has any personal defect, any thing that may render him contemptible or despicable, his usefulness will be greatly injured, if”
Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 15:9: And put no difference between us and them,.... Neither in the extraordinary gifts, nor special grace, of the Spirit; giving them the same graces of faith, hope, and love, admitting to the same privileges and immunities of the house of God, and giving them a right and title to the same inheritance of the saints in light, though the one were circumcised, and the other were not. God puts no difference as to matters of religion under the Gospel dispensation between Jews and Gentiles, neither on account of Abraham's seed, or of circumcision, or of the ceremonial law, or of n”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:10: every--"even as each man hath received," in whatever degree, and of whatever kind. The Spirit's gifts (literally, "gift of grace," that is, gratuitously bestowed) are the common property of the Christian community, each Christian being but a steward for the edifying of the whole, not receiving the gift merely for his own use. minister the same--not discontentedly envying or disparaging the gift of another. one to another--Greek as in Pe1 4:8, "towards yourselves"; implying that all form but one body, and in seeking the good of other members they a”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10:12: For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek - All are equally welcome to this salvation. Here the Jew has no exclusive privilege; and from this the Greek is not rejected. One simple way of being saved is proposed to all, viz. faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; because he is the same Lord who has made all and governs all, and is rich in mercy to all that call upon him.”
Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 1:14: Are they not all ministering spirits - That is, They are all ministering spirits; for the Hebrews often express the strongest affirmative by an interrogation. All the angels, even those of the highest order, are employed by their Creator to serve those who believe in Christ Jesus. What these services are, and how performed, it would be impossible to state. Much has been written on the subject, partly founded on Scripture, and partly on conjecture. They are, no doubt, constantly employed in averting evil and procuring good. If God help man by man, we need not wonder”
2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 12:13: For what is it wherein you were inferior - This is a fine, forcible, yet delicate stroke. It was your duty and your interest to have supported your apostle; other Churches have done so: I did not require this from you; in this respect all other Churches are superior to you. I am the cause of your inferiority, by not giving you an opportunity of ministering to my necessities: forgive me the wrong I have done you. It is the privilege of the Churches of Christ to support the ministry of his Gospel among them. Those who do not contribute their part to the suppor”

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