"Allowing" unsaved to attend church?

[abcgrad94]

A gal I know attends an unregistered church. She says we should never let the unsaved come to church services, that church is only for the saved and street preaching is for the unsaved. She feels very strongly that allowing the unsaved to come to church to hear the gospel is opening the door to wolves to come in and cause problems.

This is a new one to me. Is this common of unregistered churches? Is this idea scriptural as she believes? She also believes churches are "owned" by the government if they are not unregistered. Huh?

 

[John Toppass]

Sounds like they already let some wolves in, to come up with that nonsense.

 

[God's_Servant]

A gal I know attends an unregistered church. She says we should never let the unsaved come to church services, that church is only for the saved and street preaching is for the unsaved. She feels very strongly that allowing the unsaved to come to church to hear the gospel is opening the door to wolves to come in and cause problems.

This is a new one to me. Is this common of unregistered churches? Is this idea scriptural as she believes? She also believes churches are "owned" by the government if they are not unregistered. Huh?

Personally I think it would be beneficial to have a worship service just for Christians, but I don't agree with not allowing the unsaved in any of our services. I know many people who have been saved by God using our services. Lately though I have been thinking that we are using them as too much of an outreach. It may pollute the fellowship with so many unsaved being there, Idk, haven't made up my mind yet.

 

[annsni]

Goodness!! That's just sad. I do not believe that we should be fully "seeker friendly" and ignore the body that needs to grow but if we can have those who are unsaved come into the church and be saved, how wonderful is that? Now, if we're talking about having the unsaved teach or something, I agree but to just attend? Ridiculous.

 

[preachinjesus]

I wonder where I could get some of those fancy glasses that lets us know who is and isn't a follower of Jesus.

Must be a nice feature for their services.

...I wouldn't want to be part of a service, church, etc where that doesn't welcome both followers and non-believers alike.

 

[Salty]

A gal I know attends an unregistered church. ...

How would define an "unregistered church"

The govt does not own churches. She might be talking about IRS tax exempt and incorporation.

The IRS tax exempt basically allows you to provide members with a tax deduction for their income tax.
Also in NY requires an IRS tax # to be entitled to purchase items tax free.

And Incorporation simply makes the church a "legal person" which would provide protection of the leaders and even members in the event of a lawsuit and other legalities.
I remember that being a big issue when I lived in WV.

But for the main OP, I encourage the unsaved to attend services. Yes, we should witness, but many have walked the ole sawdust trail.
As far as the "wolves" causing problems - that is the reason for church membership - which I also believe that should not be offered lightly or too quickly. (and that is a subject for another thread)

 

[gb93433]

Mt. 7:21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

Did the disciples know who would betray Jesus?

Isn't it amazing how some thing they cannot ever be deceived.

 

[gb93433]

I wonder where I could get some of those fancy glasses that lets us know who is and isn't a follower of Jesus.

You would have to find the kind of glasses God judges with.

 

[Winman]

This question was asked in Matthew 13

Matt 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

So, it is not our job to separate those whom we might judge to be unbelievers, as we could be mistaken and cast out true believers.

 

[MNJacob]

An unbeliever cannot worship. An unbeliever cannot "fear" a holy God, he/she hasn't got a clue.

Church is for believers. Having said that. I believe that one of the most effective things that the Holy Spirit uses is the worship of His faithful ones. It is the primary means we have of reaching our physical children, and it is as important when we reach for God's spiritual children.

 

[BobinKy]

A gal I know attends an unregistered church. She says we should never let the unsaved come to church services, that church is only for the saved and street preaching is for the unsaved. She feels very strongly that allowing the unsaved to come to church to hear the gospel is opening the door to wolves to come in and cause problems.

This is a new one to me. Is this common of unregistered churches? Is this idea scriptural as she believes? She also believes churches are "owned" by the government if they are not unregistered. Huh?

These links shed some light on the unregistered church.

Guidelines for Unregistered Churches

Unregistered Baptist Fellowship

House Churches

The Unregistered Church - Legal Issues

The Unregistered Church - Only Way Project Site​

...Bob

 

[righteousdude2]

Not New to Me!

This is a new one to me.

I've heard that same argument before. I had a few impatient members who would keep an eye on those whom they assumed may not be saved, and if they did not come to Jesus within a few visits, I was asked to tell them not to return.

Of course, I did not honor their request, and they got ALL mad, and had some repenting to do at a later time in their walk with Jesus! :laugh:

The first time I heard this ridiculous request, I couldn't believe my ears! But, since then, I've heard much worse come out of the mouths of believers!

Shalom,

Pastor Paul :type:

 

[Salty]

These links shed some light on the unregistered church. Guidelines for Unregistered Churches

This website is sponsored by Liz Michael, a self proclaimed les1bian. She also believes the Bible containes errors.
​

 

[convicted1]

I personally would love to see our little church PACKED with sinners!!

Rom. 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

[Tater77]

I personally would love to see our little church PACKED with sinners!!

Rom. 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Thank God for a voice of sanity there. :jesus:

 

[tinytim]

Yep, Paul wouldn't be allowed to attend....

1Ti 1:15
(15) This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

[HankD]

1 Corinthians 14

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.​

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I personally would love to see our little church PACKED with sinners!!

Rom. 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Move North.

 

[Soulman]

Mt 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Mt 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus sat with sinners and gave the great commission to the church. The church is for the believer as well as a beacon to the lost. Know your doctrin so you do not allow wolves to join but we must allow the lost and should always be ready to give answer for our faith.:godisgood:

 

[Thousand Hills]

Saw a church sign today, that I think fits in with this discussion somewhat:

"The Church is a Hospital for Sinners, Not a Museum For Saints".