Do unbelievers belong in the assembly?

TGBTG · #1 11-20-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias

In a house church setting, should unbelievers be admitted only to specific meetings designed for such purposes? Or should they be admitted to any and every meeting of the church?

I read a blog today where this very question was being discussed. One person made the comment: "I work with sinners, shop with sinners, go to baseball games with sinners, drive the streets with sinners, etc. I want to worship Christ with those sanctified by Him."

I mean, what is the purpose of assembling together? Is it to 'win the lost'? Or is it to strengthen and edify the believers, so they may go out and 'win the lost'?

If the latter, then it seems that 'church is for the believer and the lost need evangelism, not church meetings'.
???

The church is for the believer, but the article you referenced is implying that unbelievers should not be allowed at all in the congregation (referencing the old testament).

The lost need evangelism does not preclude such a lost person from getting saved while attending a meeting of believers

Let's get practical: An unbeliever sees you and for whatever reason says, "hey, I want to go to church with you..." Are we then to say, no don't come to church until you have been saved?

I agree the meeting of believers is primarily for believers to edify one another, but to ban unbelievers from attending is stretching it. (ref: 1 Cor 14 "if an unbeliever comes into your midst...")

Esaias · #2 11-20-2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGBTG

Let's get practical: An unbeliever sees you and for whatever reason says, "hey, I want to go to church with you..." Are we then to say, no don't come to church until you have been saved?

I agree the meeting of believers is primarily for believers to edify one another, but to ban unbelievers from attending is stretching it. (ref: 1 Cor 14 "if an unbeliever comes into your midst...")

What if you were going to have the Lord's Supper tonight, and an unbeliever friend says 'Hey, I wanna come too'...

???? what do you say? 'Uh, well, the Lord's Supper is only for believers...'????

Or do you believe in totally open communion?

navygoat1998 · #3 11-20-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias

What if you were going to have the Lord's Supper tonight, and an unbeliever friend says 'Hey, I wanna come too'...

???? what do you say? 'Uh, well, the Lord's Supper is only for believers...'????

Or do you believe in totally open communion?

Will you be having a glass of wine with your Lord's Supper???

Esaias · #4 11-20-2013, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

Will you be having a glass of wine with your Lord's Supper???

WOW! Talk about a Cup of Blessing! It's so big it MUST be holy!

TGBTG · #5 11-20-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esaias

What if you were going to have the Lord's Supper tonight, and an unbeliever friend says 'Hey, I wanna come too'...

???? what do you say? 'Uh, well, the Lord's Supper is only for believers...'????

Or do you believe in totally open communion?

Them coming does not mean they partake in communion.

An unbeliever attending the meeting does not mean he/she gets to teach doctrine. Since, they are not saved yet, they get to be "spectators" in the church, but not banned from the church.

Communion is for believers, but the unbeliever can be in the gathering. Again, I believe the gathering of saints is primarily for believers to edify each other.

However, given the scripture of 1 Cor 14 about the possibility of an unbeliever attending a church meeting and getting ministered to, it would seem to me that unbelivers should not be banned from attending church meetings. It is just another avenue for them to be exposed to the Word.