"Allowing" unsaved to attend church?

[Dr. Bob]

some of the most zealous "wolves" are those who profess to know Christ. (Apostle Paul, for one.)

Huh? This one sailed over my head. How was Paul, as a member of a local church, somehow a zealous "wolf"??

 

[glfredrick]

In fact, some of the most zealous "wolves" are those who profess to know Christ. (Apostle Paul, for one.)

I want to make sure I'm hearing you correctly... Are you saying that the Apostle Paul is a "wolf" in the biblical distinction (one who enters a congregation to seed discord and ultimately a false gospel)?

 

[Amy.G]

I want to make sure I'm hearing you correctly... Are you saying that the Apostle Paul is a "wolf" in the biblical distinction (one who enters a congregation to seed discord and ultimately a false gospel)?

I think she means that before Paul was saved he would not have been allowed into a church according to the OP.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I think she means that before Paul was saved he would not have been allowed into a church according to the OP.

And why WOULD they have allowed an unbelieving predator into a church worship designed for believers? Even AFTER Paul was saved his reputation was so horrendous that many questioned having him part of the assembly.

Not sure how that fit into the discussion??

 

[Tom Butler]

And why WOULD they have allowed an unbelieving predator into a church worship designed for believers? Even AFTER Paul was saved his reputation was so horrendous that many questioned having him part of the assembly.

Not sure how that fit into the discussion??

Yep. When Paul went up to Jerusalem, finally, he wanted to join the church there, but they wouldn't accept him. Only after Barnabas vouched for Paul would they admit him to fellowship.

 

[abcgrad94]

Sorry for not being clear. Paul, before he was saved, thought he was doing God a favor by hunting down Christians and killing them. After all, he was a pharisee, knew the law, etc. My point is that not all the "good church folks" are true believers and if a church believes they are "safe" in their little church refuge, they are deceived.

Just because someone claims to be of God doesn't make it so. Saying a church only allows Christians to attend in order to keep out wolves doesn't mean the unbelievers and/or wolves won't dress in sheep's clothing. Some of the meanest spirited people I've ever met were professing Christians who held office in church. I've even heard of Mormons sending in professing Christians to other churches. These folks were only found out AFTER they joined the church and started teaching heresy. So, I think it's not the unsaved we need to fear, but those who profess to be who are lying.

There is that any better?:saint:

 

[glfredrick]

Sorry for not being clear. Paul, before he was saved, thought he was doing God a favor by hunting down Christians and killing them. After all, he was a pharisee, knew the law, etc. My point is that not all the "good church folks" are true believers and if a church believes they are "safe" in their little church refuge, they are deceived.

Just because someone claims to be of God doesn't make it so. Saying a church only allows Christians to attend in order to keep out wolves doesn't mean the unbelievers and/or wolves won't dress in sheep's clothing. Some of the meanest spirited people I've ever met were professing Christians who held office in church. I've even heard of Mormons sending in professing Christians to other churches. These folks were only found out AFTER they joined the church and started teaching heresy. So, I think it's not the unsaved we need to fear, but those who profess to be who are lying.

There is that any better?:saint:

Yup, and the true biblical illustration of "wolves."

Had us scared a bit there when you mentioned Paul out of context (there's that pesky word again...).