[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by coksiw

I have never heard of this approach, except when dealing with people disrupting the service. Where do you draw the line of permissible to attend your gathering? Just curious, not trying to be contentious.

The first thing to note is, the Scriptures never describe a meeting of the church as randomly open to the unbelieving, un-professing public.

Paul treated the issue with the Corinthians by mentioning how someone unlearned in the charismata may come in and witness their improper use and label the adherents in the assembly insane.

But that by no means indicates that having such people come regularly into Apostolic church meetings was the expected or desired norm.

The church meets for the church. The fellowship of believers and the communal meal, particularly if the bread and wine are served, is for believers only. It is otherwise restricted and exclusive.

To want, expect, desire, or allow just anyone from anywhere to be a part of that is not Bible.

Paul wrote and affirmed that such people are worthy of death, that the very wrath of God Himself is revealed against such folks (among many other folks, as well; Romans 1).

How then do we sit back, accept it, and let the person in question worship God with us, dance and sing, and gets handsy with the ladies of the church, confuse the children, and possibly permit the invitation of whatever polluting, unclean spirit into the meeting.

We want to be seeker-sensitive, and understanding, and non-judgmental, and un-offensive, and all that, and think compassionately and hope we can win him, and worry that if we do anything less, we will raise up a hell-storm against us, and be labeled intolerant, bigoted, homophobic, and all that. Maybe even have people show up to protest us, maybe get persecuted for it, etc.

Remember "you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake"?

When's the last time you incurred anyone's hatred for the Lord's name sake, by taking a stand for righteousness?

How do I determine where the line is?

Simple: Book, chapter, verse.

The Torah makes it quite clear: the LORD God detests/abhors/holds as an abomination, the idea of transgenderism.

Paul wrote that we can partake of other men's sins. John warned against blessing someone who comes into your house (of worship?) and holds not the doctrine of Christ.

Active cross-dressing and transgenderism is antithetical to the doctrine of Christ. The doctrine of Christ begins with repentance from dead works.

If there is fruit meet for repentance, and the Spirit is really drawing that man that he might be saved, he should acquiesce as a condition.

But remember the original post! The scenario given indicates no repentance and desire to be delivered. The person in question in the scenario comes into the meeting, cross-dressed, and participates in the meeting acting as though a practicing, that is, saved Christian.

No such thing can exist.

As such, no welcome mat needs must be rolled out.

I mean, did Paul tolerate and accept the damsel possessed by the pythonian spirit? Did he welcome her into the church and allow her to preach and prophesy and worship the Lord with them? How about Elymas?

Did Jesus chill out on the Pharisees? Give the Scribes or the Sadducees a pass? How about the moneychangers?

Give the Gospel straight, free of charge, and let the Spirit do the work. If that man desires to be saved, and has a tender, repentant heart, he will submit to the requirements set before him, and come back.

Otherwise, you are simply asking for trouble, either way.

2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (ESV),

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols?