WHY DO WE...
Why do we invite UNBELIEVERS to worship with Believers when the Bible is clearly opposed to this?
What would the church look like today if only believers gathered to worship the King and share together and take communion together?
I know this is not how you have been taught. I'm just probing for answers here. Is the church supposed to be made up of believers and unbelievers? Really?
What is the Church? Another good post!
posted by Bob Carder @ 12:59 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
You say
'Why do we invite UNBELIEVERS to worship with Believers when the Bible is clearly opposed to this?'
What is the basis for this assertion?
I was wondering the same thing. 1 Cor. 14:24-25 seems to anticipate the presence of unbelievers.
I do want to point out, however, that in the passage above the unbelievers were blown away by the presence of God in the midst of the congregation, not the sermon or music or drama or children's ministry.
Thought:
Who would "unbelievers" be worshipping and how?
I agree, why would unbelievers worship?
You still didn't answer my question. What is the basis of your assertion that the bible is clearly against unbelievers worshiping with believers.
Can unbeleivers possibly worship God?
John 4:24 - "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Unbeleivers have neither the Holy Spirit nor have they accepted the one truth that restores their relationship with God.
2Corinthians 6:14 says - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
I know the American Gospel says this applies to marriage and business but what about worship? The gospel of community lives in denial of this scripture. It assumes that by putting people in the same place on the same day and doing things that people agree are Christian that we can call it the church and have communion and fellowship.
1Cor. 14 may indicate an unbeleiver might walk in among them but that is a far reach from what we see in America today.
It says they will be convicted of sin and judged by all (depending upon translation - called to account). Only after falling on their face do they worship God by declaring God is among them.
I guess the question that must be answered here is - What is worship?
Can you worship God without acknowledging that He and He alone is God?
Another question is - Who is the church?
Are they everyone that shows up to the building for services or are they limited to those whose names are written in the Book of Life?
The answers to both questions are in the Bible clearly - but not understandable without the Holy Spirit.
Do you think then that our worship services should be closed to only those that we have decided are believers? This seems like secret organizations like the Masons.
I think we must follow what Scripture teaches. You now have a biblical basis for the teaching which is what you asked for.
My understanding is that the masons meetings are open to outsiders - its their rituals, oaths, and membership roles that are secret. I do not see the connection.
To my understanding:
When God's glory is declared in a place, people's lives are either ENDED or RUINED. The Old Testament is full of a fear of God that we have definitely lost in the church today. It would be different if churches would simply decide to not ADVERTISE when and where they were meeting and instead let GOD bring those in whom HE was calling. Instead, many churches have become so bonded to money that they literally CAN'T AFFORD to not make sure they're getting the maximum attendance possible simply to offset their week to week running costs. Does that declare God's glory and allow HIM to work as HE wishes?
God is not a rock show- He has not made a habit of shocking people into believing in Him. I remind you of Moses coming off of the mountain- he was commanded to veil his face, why is that? It is God's goodness that compels us to worship and His grace that demands repentance. Can unbelievers be compelled to worship a God they do not know? Can they repent due to the grace they have not experienced or affirmed? Can someone with blatant offenses and charges against God bear to stand in the presence of His glory? Perhaps that is why God is not as evident in our churches as we pray for; we make no difference between the Holy and profane, something absolutely scriptural.
You are right, it is not up to us to decide who believers and unbelievers are, but it is also not up to us to guilt people into coming to a building to worship a God they could truly care less about. The church should make a habit of preaching grace and repentance through it's actions OUTSIDE of the building and calling the lost to HIM rather than to church, and definitely rather than worrying about how it's going to make the budget.
Bob,
You know what is funny? We build beautiful buildings, set up all types of progrmas, create visitors ministries, and even manipulate the way we teach all for the outsider. It is funny that most of what we do is for the non-believer versus the believer.
I heard a few preachers tell me "don't be out there cramming religon down peoples throat just invite them to church"! What is that foolishness? But I realized why. You see we are going to have this production put on for them so when they see it they will worship God! As a matter of fact I am going to have to do a remix on this verse
Lionel you hit a home run on your comments here if I understand you. You cannot lead people into a worship that does not come out of the heart and the heart must be transformed for the offering to be received.
Look at Cain and Abel. One was received and the other rejected. I would be amiss if I did say that the worship of the unsaved is rejected worship by God. It is a mockery to Him. It is profane to Him. How dare we allow the profane to happen in our God dedicated houses of worship. How dare we.
Post a Comment
<< Home