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'.
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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...")
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