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Re: Inviting into "the house"?
Posted by caf lw - October 02, 2004 at 9:11:27pm
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Inviting into "the house"?
Posted by Jon Hansen LW - October 02, 2004 at 12:07:48am:

: A question I've been pondering: Is it wrong to invite Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons into one's home to discuss theological issues?
: Verses to consider:
: 7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
: 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.
: 2 John 1:7-11
: Any thoughts? Is this speaking about our personal homes or the assembly of the Church? Or both?

The passages mentioned are not intended to prevent studying the scriptures with people who are in error. Rather, I would suggest, the intent is to avoid supporting the spread of falsehood by assisting its proponents. Welcoming into the house would not appear to be merely inviting someone in for the sake of studying with them or talking to them (although some who are uprepared should perhaps be wary of studying with those who've been drilled to teach particular doctrines with particular methodologies). Instead, welcoming would seem to be the idea of providing food and lodging. It is in contrast to the passage in 3 John where Gaius is commended for doing this very thing for brethren traveling to preach the gospel.
3 John 5-8 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
NIV

Or again, this is in the same vein as Jesus' instructions to his disciples on their first training mission regarding staying at someone's home while they preached.

Mark 6:8-11 8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." NIV

It's good to host those who preach the truth, not good to host someone who is working against the Lord.

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1117 - Knowing who to invite into "the house" benlw 0:42:52pm 10/06/04 (0)

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: : A question I've been pondering: Is it wrong to invite Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons into one's home to discuss theological issues?
: : Verses to consider:
: : 7 Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh; any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist! 8 Be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. 9 Everyone who does not abide in the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God; whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 
: : 10 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.
: : 2 John 1:7-11
: : Any thoughts? Is this speaking about our personal homes or the assembly of the Church? Or both?

: The passages mentioned are not intended to prevent studying the scriptures with people who are in error. Rather, I would suggest, the intent is to avoid supporting the spread of falsehood by assisting its proponents. Welcoming into the house would not appear to be merely inviting someone in for the sake of studying with them or talking to them (although some who are uprepared should perhaps be wary of studying with those who've been drilled to teach particular doctrines with particular methodologies). Instead, welcoming would seem to be the idea of providing food and lodging. It is in contrast to the passage in 3 John where Gaius is commended for doing this very thing for brethren traveling to preach the gospel.
: 3 John 5-8 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. 
: NIV

: Or again, this is in the same vein as Jesus' instructions to his disciples on their first training mission regarding staying at someone's home while they preached.

: Mark 6:8-11 8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." NIV

: It's good to host those who preach the truth, not good to host someone who is working against the Lord.

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