What do you normally do when a Jehovah Witness knocks on your door?

[Baptist Believer]

About a month ago I was waiting for a UPS delivery when the doorbell rang. I hurried to the door and opened it to discover two JWs (I refuse to call them "Jehovah's Witnesses" since they are not witnessing for Jehovah) standing on my porch. I opened the storm door and said, "May I help you?" One of them asked, "Do you worry about crime in our society and the way everything is falling apart?" Without missing a beat, I responded, "Nope." They were shocked. I continued, "Jesus has everything under control so I don't have any reason to be afraid of the future."

They immediately said, "Thank you", and walked away. :wavey:

 

[gb93433]

I am seeing 68 verses with 'chairo' in them a total of 74 times.

Mt 2:10; 5:12; 18:13; 26:49; 27:29; 28:9; Mr 14:11; 15:18; Lu 1:14,28; 6:23; 10:20; 13:17; 15:5,32; 19:6,37; 22:5; 23:8; Joh 3:29; 4:36; 8:56; 11:15; 14:28; 16:20,22; 19:3; 20:20; Ac 5:41; 8:39; 11:23; 13:48; 15:23,31; 23:26; Ro 12:12,15; 16:19; 1Co 7:30; 13:6; 16:17; 2Co 2:3; 6:10; 7:7,9,13,16; 13:9,11; Php 1:18; 2:17-18,28; 3:1; 4:4,10; Col 1:24; 2:5; 1Th 3:9; 5:16; Jas 1:1; 1Pe 4:13; 2Jo 1:4,10-11; 3Jo 1:3; Re 11:10; 19:7

You did not look it up in the Greek text where the same word is used. The again you tend to look up words and base a theology on several ways the word is used. Again out of ignorance you do oyur theology much in the same way as a person who would look up the definition of the word bat and declare that in every case the word bat is used it means a wooden stick and a furry animal.

So I provided the places where that same word is used.

Acts 15:23 [FONT=&quot]gravyante" diaV ceiroV" aujtw'n: OiJ ajpovstoloi kaiV oiJ presbuvteroi ajdelfoiV toi'" kataV thVn jAntiovceian kaiV Surivan kaiV Kilikivan ajdelfoi'" toi'" ejx ejqnw'n caivrein. [/FONT]
Acts 23:26 [FONT=&quot]Klauvdio" Lusiva" tw'/ krativstw/ hJgemovni Fhvliki caivrein. [/FONT]
Roma 12:15 [FONT=&quot]caivrein[/FONT][FONT=&quot] metaV cairovntwn, klaivein metaV klaiovntwn. [/FONT]
2Cor 2:3 [FONT=&quot]kaiV e[graya tou'to aujtov, i{na mhV ejlqwVn luvphn scw' ajf= w|n e[dei me caivrein, pepoiqwV" ejpiV pavnta" uJma'" o{ti hJ ejmhV caraV pavntwn uJmw'n ejstin. [/FONT]
Jame 1:1 [FONT=&quot] jIavkwbo" qeou' kaiV kurivou jIhsou' Cristou' dou'lo" tai'" dwvdeka fulai'" tai'" ejn th'/ diaspora'/ caivrein. [/FONT]
2Joh 1:10 [FONT=&quot]ei[ ti" e[rcetai proV" uJma'" kaiV tauvthn thVn didachVn ouj fevrei, mhV lambavnete aujtoVn eij" oijkivan kaiV caivrein aujtw'/ mhV levgete: [/FONT]
11 [FONT=&quot]oJ levgwn gaVr aujtw'/ caivrein koinwnei' toi'" e[rgoi" aujtou' toi'" ponhroi'". [/FONT]

 

[gb93433]

gb,

You can continue to disobey God's Word and invite them into your home, you can even wish the God speed. But be forewarned... if you do, God's Word states you are guilty of partaking of their evil deeds.

My Bible tells me the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.

Can you withstand God's wrath for disobeying His Word?

So you are claiming that when you ignorantly misinterpret scripture God blesses that?

Could you quote me where I mentioned "you can even wish the God speed."

Just an example of the idea that if you can't debate the ideas then slam the person.

You have not given even one shred of evidence that a house is not a place where people met for worship in those days. While I gave you several references, you gave none.

Don't you realize that many have asked you questions in an attempt to get you to think through your theology. Yet you have refused to answer their questions and continue to maintain your ignorance. Someone who has his mind already made up and just keeps on going down the wrong road reminds me of the false teachers in cults. Sometimes they listen and leave the cult. It doesn't surprise me that you are afraid of them because they have much the same attitude as you.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

So you are claiming that when you ignorantly misinterpret scripture God blesses that?

Could you quote me where I mentioned "you can even wish the God speed."

Just an example of the idea that if you can't debate the ideas then slam the person.

You have not given even one shred of evidence that a house is not a place where people met for worship in those days. While I gave you several references, you gave none.

Don't you realize that many have asked you questions in an attempt to get you to think through your theology. Yet you have refused to answer their questions and continue to maintain your ignorance. Someone who has his mind already made up and just keeps on going down the wrong road reminds me of the false teachers in cults. Sometimes they listen and leave the cult. It doesn't surprise me that you are afraid of them because they have much the same attitude as you.

You have invited them into your house... thus disobeying God's Word.

 

[gb93433]

You have invited them into your house... thus disobeying God's Word.

Rather than give your opinion, why not give us something that has substance backed by credible documenation. You have got to know that over the years there have been many liars who preached good sounding sermons in support of their pet theology that Christians who trust everything they hear continued to prepetuate the lie. Just observe how many listen to their daily dose of heresy on TBN and actually believe it.

Now give us some historical background information from that time period in support of your defense to prove what the house was and what a greeting was.

I would like to see that passage in 2 Jn applied in each situation acccording to your theology. If you believe that it is a personal home then you must not also give them any kind of a greeting.

I read posted by someone else that he lets false etachers eneter the church he is at. Apparently he has never had trouble with false teachers. I have dealt with them in the congregation.

Again I take the position that the passage of 2 Jn lies within a specific context and it was to be applied in that context. It is a context that is not very usual in our country. It is most likely applied in the context of a home church worship meeting and allowing the false teacher to teach the people and give him a platform. Fasle teachers were very common then. In fact the Bible tells us what to do with false teachers in a church. Yet so many preachers think it is a good thing to have them in the church and allow them to infiltrate the people and get to know them. I am shocked that any preacher would allow that. I had a lot to deal with in a church I pastored because they allowed that to happen.

Those people have learned that the best time is on Sunday when most people are home and the Christians are at church. The fact is that if you say and do nothing you are actually helping them because when they get past your door quickly they go onto the next one and are able to talk to someone who is more receptive to them.

 

[gb93433]

You have invited them into your house... thus disobeying God's Word.

Why did you refused to answer the question I posted in post #143?

Could you quote me where I mentioned "you can even wish the God speed?"

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Not my opinion, the Word of God.

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Your problem is not with my stance, your problem is with the clear command given in God's Word.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

3614. oikia
Search for G3614 in KJVSL
oikia oikia oy-kee'-ah
from 3624; properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics):--home, house(-hold).

See Greek 3624

It is clear that the word house in 2 John 10 is speaking of a family residence, not a Church.

Scripture says not to receive them into your house... it means house.

 

[DHK]

You have not given even one shred of evidence that a house is not a place where people met for worship in those days. While I gave you several references, you gave none.

Don't you realize that many have asked you questions in an attempt to get you to think through your theology. Yet you have refused to answer their questions and continue to maintain your ignorance. Someone who has his mind already made up and just keeps on going down the wrong road reminds me of the false teachers in cults. Sometimes they listen and leave the cult. It doesn't surprise me that you are afraid of them because they have much the same attitude as you.

Even though there is plenty of evidence that churches met in houses (Acts 12--the church met in the house of John Mark; Romans 16--a number of "house-churches are mentioned), that is not applicable here. Context is key--always. There is no context available to indicate that this was a house being used for a church--none whatsoever. To assume such is wrong. Paul was writing to "the elect lady," and includes her children in the Greeting. Such a house probably would not be used for a meeting. He was writing a personal letter warning her of false teachers. He was genuinely concerned for this lady and false teachers that may come to her and deceiver her. He was concerned for her children. It is a short letter written to an esteemed friend in the faith. There is nothing in the context to indicate anything about a church. It is in the context of the letter where you need to look, not in other passages of Scripture. You are doing the same thing another poster I know who is trying to make the word "damnation" always in every case, mean "eternal perdition," whereas that is not the case. Context determines meaning.
Here the meaning of God Speed is a farewell, not a greeting.
Here the meaning of oikos is a house, not a church.
These things are quite obvious by both the meaning of the words and the context in which the words are used.

BTW, I find it quite interesting that you focus your attention on SFIC, but totally ignore my answer to you in post #138.

 

[gb93433]

It is clear that the word house in 2 John 10 is speaking of a family residence, not a Church.

Scripture says not to receive them into your house... it means house.

Whether I agree or disagree with you it is not much of an issue because I rarely see them anymore. I seldom talk with them but rather I give them literature to read. If they want to talk with me more I discuss the literature with them and then point them to what scripture teaches clearly. So I do not need to take time to talk with them but on rare occasions.

I would suggest that everyone have literature by their front door just in case them come knocking.

 

[D28guy]

StandingFirm,

"Not my opinion, the Word of God.

2 John 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:"

The reason...as others have shared...is because they didnt have steepled churchs on every corner like we do now. Christian worship and teaching gatherings took place in homes. There were false teacher who traveled around and desired to come into the meetings and propagate their false teachings.

Regarding every day, normal, home situations, we are told that Paul....

"...dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and recieved all who came to him"

Surely in 2 years time some false teachers came to Paul to attempt to straighten him out. He recieved them.

In Romans we are instructed...

''...distributing to the needs of the sants. Given to hospitality."

Also in Romans...

"Bless those who curse you. Bless and do not curse"

Those teaching gross error the likes of the Jehovahs Witnesses are certainly those who "curse" us as being lost and in error.

Its a little hard to "bless" them while slamming the door in their face, dont you think?


1 Timothy tells us...

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husbamd of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach,..."

Well, here is an opportunity to both be hospitiable AND do some teaching for those who need it, and yet you believe you should turn them away...and do neither?

Hebrews...

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for in so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.'

The Jehovahs Witnesses clearly arent "angels", but they are strangers...who need to know the truth. Jesus instructed us to "go into all the world" to preach the gospel...yet you turn down an opportunity in your living room?

We are also instructed in the scriptures to....

"contend earnestly for the truth, wich was once delivered to the saints, for certain men have crept in unoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation..."

Sort of difficult to "contend earnestly for the truth" after slamming the door in their faces.

Not my opinion here, this is the word of God instructing me to be hospitable, show love, teach, and share the gospel. I choose to be like Paul and recieve all you come my way.

Grace and peace,

Mike


God bless,

Mike

 

[Joe]

Thank you Mike :thumbs:

 

[DHK]

StandingFirm,
The reason...as others have shared...is because they didnt have steepled churchs on every corner like we do now. Christian worship and teaching gatherings took place in homes. There were false teacher who traveled around and desired to come into the meetings and propagate their false teachings.

We have the same today. Our church started in a house. There are many false teachers that come door to door. It is false to assume that all the churches of that time only met in houses. They didn't. They met in synagogues. They met in barns (Acts 20:7). They met in open fields. They met in cemetaries (the catacombs). They met wherever they could, and whenever they could. Often they met in secrecy for the reason of persecution.

Regarding every day, normal, home situations, we are told that Paul....(received all who came into his rented house)

This is Scripture out of context. Paul was under house-arrest. He had no choice. It was by decree of the Roman government that he stay where he was. He was under constant watch. He had limited freedom, but he did have some.

Surely in 2 years time some false teachers came to Paul to attempt to straighten him out. He recieved them.

It is an assumption that cannot be proved. What false teacher would go to Paul that would be under house arrest and for what reason? That doesn't even begin to make sense. We are told that a runaway slave went to him because he feared for his life. It was there that he was saved. His name was Onesimus.

In Romans we are instructed...(distributing to the necessity of the saints...

Saints are not false teachers. Keep to the context of the very verse that you quoted.

Also in Romans...
"Bless those who curse you. Bless and do not curse"

What has that got to do with inviting a false teacher into one's house? Again, another Scripture taken out of context. You are doing well.

Those teaching gross error the likes of the Jehovahs Witnesses are certainly those who "curse" us as being lost and in error.

That is the very reason we should not allow them into our houses.

Its a little hard to "bless" them while slamming the door in their face, dont you think?

Why are you exagerrating and putting words into people's mouths suggesting that they do things that no one on this board has said. That is a false accusation. We need to be polite and kind, and at the same time keep the commands of Christ. I cannot invite a false teacher into my house. Neither can I wish God's blessing on such a one. What hypocrisy would that be! For you to think such a thing is sheer hypocrisy. You believe we should evangelize the world with the gospel and at the same time wish God's to bless the false teachers who are spreading the message of Satan. Amazing!

1 Timothy tells us...
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husbamd of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach,..."

Again, Scripture taken out of context. The admonition was written to a lady. How are the qualifications of a bishop applicable to a lady? Very funny!
We are to be hospitable. That is true. That has nothing to do with inviting false teachers into our houses.
I wonder if this elect lady was the husband of one wife also. Do you always take such Scripture out of context?

Well, here is an opportunity to both be hospitiable AND do some teaching for those who need it, and yet you believe you should turn them away...and do neither?

Do you believe what the Bible says or not? The Scripture is inspired by God and is put there for a purpose.

Hebrews...
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for in so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.'

The Jehovahs Witnesses clearly arent "angels", but they are strangers...who need to know the truth. Jesus instructed us to "go into all the world" to preach the gospel...yet you turn down an opportunity in your living room?

No, they are not angels; they are false teachers!
Jesus did command us to go into all the world; he didn't command us to call false teachers into our houses. There is a big difference. Can't you see it?

We are also instructed in the scriptures to....
"contend earnestly for the truth, wich was once delivered to the saints, for certain men have crept in unoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation..."

HA! There are no certain men crept in unawares in my house! An obvious reference to something more than just one's private house.
BTW, if you have ever seen a "house" in the east it consists of living quarters for the immediate family, the extended family, all of the servants, and a large courtyard that could hold about a hundred or more people. We don't have those kind of houses here (for the most part). I certainly don't.

Sort of difficult to "contend earnestly for the truth" after slamming the door in their faces.

Why should I have to contend for the faith in the privacy of my own house, where I do not allow false teachers to come, as the Scriptures clearly teach.

Not my opinion here, this is the word of God instructing me to be hospitable, show love, teach, and share the gospel. I choose to be like Paul and recieve all you come my way.

I would say almost all of it is your opinion based on Scripture pulled out of context.

 

[gb93433]

Even though there is plenty of evidence that churches met in houses (Acts 12--the church met in the house of John Mark; Romans 16--a number of "house-churches are mentioned), that is not applicable here. Context is key--always. There is no context available to indicate that this was a house being used for a church--none whatsoever. To assume such is wrong.

Historical context is always the key, not an opinionated guess. You cannot interpret scripture on the basis of just because something is not written. There are many things which are not written. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.”

The type of literary genre is a general epistle. So I must interpret it that way.

Paul was writing to "the elect lady," and includes her children in the Greeting. Such a house probably would not be used for a meeting. He was writing a personal letter warning her of false teachers. He was genuinely concerned for this lady and false teachers that may come to her and deceiver her. He was concerned for her children. It is a short letter written to an esteemed friend in the faith. There is nothing in the context to indicate anything about a church.

Many times there are things that scripture does not address but the historical context does. Historical context would indicate that it is likely it was a home where a church met.

The first churches were called synagogues not churches. Would you assume that those are buildings where Jews met instead of believers? Today some areas of the US call one of the ordinances the Lord’s supper and others call it communion. They use different words for the same thing. So does scripture. Scripture also uses one word to describe more than one thing. Historical context will tell the meaning. Another example is that presbuteros, episkopos changes meaning over time.

Context determines meaning.
Here the meaning of God Speed is a farewell, not a greeting.

The vast majority of translations translate the word charein as greetings because it is used that way. It is a stand alone infinitive not a verb. When one looks at the epistles there is a greeting. It may be a Greek, Hebrew or both greeting. All epistles have a form used in society much like we write a letter in our culture.


Here the meaning of oikos is a house, not a church.
These things are quite obvious by both the meaning of the words and the context in which the words are used.[/quote]

70+ uses of a verb does nothing to indicate how a word is actually used in the context of that particular culture and common usage. For example if you shot a quail for food you would not say you murdered it. That is essentially what you did in using Strong’s. That is much like taking a concordance and using it on an encyclopedia and finding that a bat is a wooden stick and an animal. Therefore a bat is a flying animal and stick in every case.

Oikos can be a house church.

I am no expert so I must rely on the historians who have devoted themselves to studying these things. Your claims disagree with every finding I have found. If you were to interpret things as you have suggested then you must assume that children in 1 Jn5:21 and 3 Jn 1:4 must be kids.

BTW, I find it quite interesting that you focus your attention on SFIC, but totally ignore my answer to you in post #138.

See Post #134

Barnes

2 John 1:1.
Unto the elect lady The elect or chosen Kyria. See the introduction,
Section 2. He addresses her as one chosen of God to salvation, in the use
of a term often applied to Christians in the New Testament.
And her children The word here rendered “children” (teknoiv) would
include in itself both sons and daughters, but since the apostle immediately
uses a masculine pronoun, toiv it would seem more probable that sons
only were intended. At all events, the use of such a pronoun proves that
some at least of her children were sons. Of their number and character we
have no information, except that (the notes at 2 John 1:4) a part of
them were Christians.

Clarke’s

The elect lady— eklekth kuria? As kuria, kuria, may be the feminine
of kuriov, kurios, lord, therefore it may signify lady; and so several, both
ancients and moderns, have understood it. But others have considered it the
proper name of a woman, Kyria; and that this is a very ancient opinion is
evident from the Peshito Syriac, the oldest version we have, which uses it as
a proper name (Syriac) koureea, as does also the Arabic (Arabic) kooreea.
Some have thought that Eclecta was the name of this matron, from the word
eklekth, which we translate elect, and which here signifies the same as
excellent, eminent, honorable, or the like. Others think that a particular
Church is intended, which some suppose to be the Church at Jerusalem, and
that the elect sister, 2 John 13, means the Church at Ephesus; but these
are conjectures which appear to me to have no good ground. I am satisfied
that no metaphor is here intended; that the epistle was sent to some eminent
Christian matron, not far from Ephesus, who was probably deaconess of
the Church, who, it is likely, had a Church at her house, or at whose house
the apostles and traveling evangelists frequently preached, and were
entertained. This will appear more probable in the course of the notes.

 

[DHK]

As you posted from Clarke:

I am satisfied
that no metaphor is here intended; that the epistle was sent to some eminent
Christian matron, not far from Ephesus, who was probably deaconess of
the Church, who, it is likely, had a Church at her house, or at whose house
the apostles and traveling evangelists frequently preached, and were
entertained. This will appear more probable in the course of the notes.

He takes it literally, whether or not there was a church in the house is irrelevant. The letter was addressed to the lady, and is not to be taken metaphorically.

 

[Joe]

The main problem I have in inviting false teachers into my home is that it gives them a false illusion. They are not Christians, thus need to understand this at some point.

Only once did a lady ask why JW's are not to allowed in my home. I replied nicely, "I do not allow false teachers into my home".
We can all be hospitable, offer beverages and sit with them. Either on the lawn with a blanket or we have a patio set.
Around here, they don't come by unless the weather is good. So we can always sit outside, which I think they prefer anyway.
If they want to continue to study, I have allowed them inside when the weather is bad.
It can be unsafe to enter a strangers home, especially a man's home.
I witness to them in whatever way they will allow, I enjoy visiting with them.

 

[standingfirminChrist]

Yer contradicting yerself, Joe.

First ya say you don't allow them into your home, and then ya turn around in the same post and say you do in bad weather.

At any rate, any time you invite them into your home, you are disobeying a command of God.

 

[D28guy]

DHK,

It is false to assume that all the churches of that time only met in houses. They didn't. They met in synagogues. They met in barns (Acts 20:7). They met in open fields. They met in cemetaries (the catacombs). They met wherever they could, and whenever they could."

They met in the synagogues early on. They got comfortable and were not doing what God told them to do, and "go onto all the world". God caused persecution in order to FORCE them to go out from Jerusalem and take the gospel to the rest of the world. When they started doing that they met in homes. God instructed them to not let false teachers come into their worship services (homes) to spread their false teaching.

This has nothing to do with their normal day to day living in their home. Paul welcomed ALL who came to him while he was in his home.

"This is Scripture out of context. Paul was under house-arrest. He had no choice. It was by decree of the Roman government that he stay where he was. He was under constant watch. He had limited freedom, but he did have some."

Whether he was under house arrest or not is 100% irrelavent. It was his...own...rented...house...and he recieved ALL who came his way.

I posted...

"Also in Romans...
"Bless those who curse you. Bless and do not curse"

And you posted...

"What has that got to do with inviting a false teacher into one's house?"

Because they CAME TO YOUR DOOR wanting to discuss spiritual things with you *personally*, not wanting to teach in the "house" of your church, where they should be denied.

Since they came to your home, you have an opportuniy to share the truth with someone who needs to hear it An opportunity to BLESS these ones who are in error by sharing the TRUTH with them, rather than coldly "curse" them by refusing them entry.

Do you believe in sharing the gospel with people? Yes? Well....here are people coming RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR (not to teach at your "church" house)...and you TURN THEM AWAY????

When God says.....

Go into all the world and "TELL THEM, TELL THEM TELL THEM!!



?????????????????????????????????

"I cannot invite a false teacher into my house."

Sure you can. Its easy. You simply say...."Come right on in, would you like some coffee?"

This isnt a church, and they arent coming asking permission to spread their teaching in the church. In those situations, God clearly tells us...

"Do not recieve them into your house (meaning church of course) nor greet him..."

No. We are talking about a 1 on 1 encounter with someone in error, and in need of truth.

Its an easy call, DHK. Share the truth with them. Plant some seeds. Cast light in the midst of darkness.

I said...

""A bishop then must be blameless, the husbamd of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach,..."

And you said...

"Again, Scripture taken out of context."

No it isnt.

"The admonition was written to a lady."

Maybe the leader WAS a woman? There were many women in positions of authority and leadership in the 1st century.

"How are the qualifications of a bishop applicable to a lady?

1st, maybe she was the one in authority. But it really doesnt matter if its a woman leader or a man leader. "...be hospitable"

"Jesus did command us to go into all the world; he didn't command us to call false teachers into our houses."

Nobody is doing that. The Jehovahs Wittnesses come unexpectantly. THEY come to US...we dont ask them to come.

"There is a big difference. Can't you see it?"

I see it very clearly. They came to us. A door for ministry has opened. Are we going to walk through it or shrink back away from it?

I said...

"We are also instructed in the scriptures to....
"contend earnestly for the truth, wich was once delivered to the saints, for certain men have crept in unoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation...""

And you said...

"HA! There are no certain men crept in unawares in my house! An obvious reference to something more than just one's private house.
BTW, if you have ever seen a "house" in the east it consists of living quarters for the immediate family, the extended family, all of the servants, and a large courtyard that could hold about a hundred or more people. We don't have those kind of houses here (for the most part). I certainly don't."

I have no idea what you are talking about there, DHK. Sizes of houses? You lost me there.

The point I was making in posting that verse should have been obvious...

"We are also instructed in the scriptures to....
"contend earnestly for the truth, wich was once delivered to the saints"

I am advocating doing just that. Contending earnestly for the truth. You are advocating shrinking back from it.

The JW's are showing up...not at a church to teach, where we should refuse them as God instructs us...but at our personal dwelling. You are in favor of telling these lost and needy people...go away!

I am in favor of sowing some seeds. Maybe they wont believe right then, but at least I "planted". Maybe sometime in the future a few more christians will "water", and in due time God will "give the increase".

"Why should I have to contend for the faith in the privacy of my own house,"

((((HAVE)))) to???

My goodness, DHK...you should WANT to!

Why?

Because some lost people showed up at your door wanting to discuss spiritual things!

God bless,

Mike

 

[gb93433]

Since they came to your home, you have an opportuniy to share the truth with someone who needs to hear it An opportunity to BLESS these ones who are in error by sharing the TRUTH with them, rather than coldly "curse" them by refusing them entry.

No. We are talking about a 1 on 1 encounter with someone in error, and in need of truth.

Its an easy call. Share the truth with them. Plant some seeds. Cast light in the midst of darkness.

The problem today is that we have too many who claim to be Christians and go to church every Sunday, yet live and share their faith like practical atheists.

I wonder what might happen if the Christians were out knocking on doors rather than answering their doors instead?

Those cults folks have gotten "smart" now. They go out on Sunday while the Christians are at church. According to a select few, the Christians no longer have to worry about "disobedience" because they are no longer confronted with having to answer their door. I am sure the cults like that.

 

[Matt Black]

<Pulls up chair and eats popcorn> It's both sad and entertaining to watch you sola Scripturists tear strips off each other; talk about 'Battle of the Proof Texts'!