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Title: Should Christians Be Hospitable to Cult Members?
Source:
Grace to You
URL Source: http://www.gty.org/resources/bible- ... ble-to-cult-members?Term=cults
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Author: John MacArthur
Post Date: 2015-03-11 16:41:49 by redleghunter
Keywords: None
Views: 42236
Comments: 144
In verse 10 John sets out one practical application of how to defend the truth: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house. Hospitality for traveling teachers was common in the culture (cf. Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-12). The prohibition here is not to turn away the ignorant; it does not mean that believers may not invite unbelievers—even those who belong to a cult or false religion—into their midst. That would make giving the truth to them difficult, if not impossible. The point is that believers are not to welcome and provide care for traveling false teachers, who seek to stay in their homes, thereby giving the appearance of affirming what they teach and lending them credibility John’s use of the conjunction ei (if) with an indicative verb indicates a condition that is likely true. Apparently, the lady to whom he wrote had for whatever reason, in the name of Christian fellowship, already welcomed false teachers into her home. It was just such compassionate, well-meaning people that the false teachers sought out (cf. 2 Tim. 3:6); since churches were supposed to be protected by elders who were skilled teachers of the Word (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9), they should have been less susceptible to the lies propagated by the deceivers. Having established themselves in homes, the false teachers hoped eventually to worm their way into the churches. It is much the same today, as false teaching insidiously invades Christian homes through television, radio, the Internet, and literature. So threatening are these emissaries of Satan that Jo[h]n went on to forbid even giving them a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Irenaeus relates that the church father Polycarp, when asked by the notorious heretic Marcion, “Do you know me?” replied, “I do know you—the firstborn of Satan” (Against Heresies, 3.3.4). John himself once encountered Cerinthus (another notorious heretic) in a public bathhouse in Ephesus. Instead of greeting him, however, John turned and fled, exclaiming to those with him, “Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.3.4).
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#2. To: redleghunter (#0)
The Amish and Mennonites never knock on my door.
What about Quakers or Hare Krishna? Who is a cult?
What is your religion? That would be a cult. Any religion that denies christ is a cult.
I'm Roman Catholic. So what is your religion?
Catholics pray to Mary. That is forbidden. They call the pope holy father. The Bible says not to do that. The Catholics took one of the commandments and threw it in trash. Then split another into two parts. There are Catholics that are saved. But it has a cult element to it.
It is also forbidden to pray out loud while making a spectacle of yourself in public. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. -- Mathew 6:6 PRAISE THE LORD PRAISE THE LORD, HALLELUJAH -- sinful...
Does that include prayer in church? Or just private prayer?
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. -- Mathhew 6:5 It's pretty clear to me...
It's pretty clear to me... So they are faux Christians in your view?
I can't look what is in their hearts. It's not for me to judge. I can only read that Jesus condemned certain pubic behavior as being inherently corrupt. I was raised that prayer is a personal and private matter. When you pray, it usually doesn't start as being a happy thing. True prayer involves sadness because you realize what a sinner that you are. True prayer results in being renewed, full of the Spirit who is there to keep you on the right path. People who run around screaming PRAISE THE LORD make me very uncomfortable. It's an alien form of Christianity that fails to recognize the horrible trials and tribulations that Jesus suffered. And I won't do it because I believe that Jesus condemns it.
I understand your reservations. I think the difference is the Pharisees would publicly show up when the market was busiest and pray at the offering of the morning and evening sacrifice. Which they knew would maximize their display of prayer for all to see. This was not only self centered but self righteousness. Jesus Christ pointed this out in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. Contrast this with the selfless and loving worship and public proclamation of the Gospel of Grace we see in Acts. The difference being the focus is on Christ and not self.
The most sincere Christians I have ever met are people who hit the bottom of the barrel and had nowhere else to go. Drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, violent criminals -- people who hit rock bottom and found Christ. Jesus himself hung out with such people. Hitting rock bottom is not a joyful thing. It's a painful experience that causes deep personal reflection. Many Americans all too frequently forget this. More later. Thanks for the discussion.
#55. To: cranko, Vicomte13, liberator, TooConservative (#48)
The most sincere Christians I have ever met are people who hit the bottom of the barrel and had nowhere else to go. Drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, violent criminals -- people who hit rock bottom and found Christ. Jesus himself hung out with such people. Hitting rock bottom is not a joyful thing. It's a painful experience that causes deep personal reflection. Many Americans all too frequently forget this. That is very true. Jesus came to heal the broken hearted and lost. In fact, we are all lost in one way or another. Hitting rock bottom, as you said, is horrible for someone to endure, but may just be the Grace God shows to a person to reveal freedom through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ can break our bonds of sin and death. Hitting rock bottom in my observation is His Grace. People who plod on 'fat and happy' with the world and its traps and convince themselves they don't 'need' God or a Savior and they lift themselves up as their own god.
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So who are you calling a cult?
Mormons?
Scientologists?
Branch Davidians?
Jehovah Witnesses?
Amish or Mennonites?
#3. To: Willie Green (#2)
Amish or Mennonites?
#4. To: redleghunter (#3)
(Edited)
The Amish and Mennonites never knock on my door.
Christian Scientists, Salvation Army, Rosicrucians, Unitarians or Wiccans?
#11. To: Willie Green (#4)
(Edited)
Who is a cult?
#14. To: A K A Stone (#11)
(Edited)
What is your religion? That would be a cult. Any religion that denies christ is a cult.
We usually capitalize the "c" in Christ, to indicate that we recognize that He is the Lord our God & Savior.
If I'm not mistaken, that is common practice in protestant denominations also.
Is it a cult?
#16. To: Willie Green (#14)
#21. To: A K A Stone (#16)
Catholics pray to Mary. That is forbidden.
#22. To: cranko (#21)
But thou, when thou prayest
#23. To: A K A Stone (#22)
Does that include prayer in church? Or just private prayer?
#38. To: cranko (#23)
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. -- Mathhew 6:5
#42. To: redleghunter (#38)
So they are faux Christians in your view?
#45. To: cranko, A K A Stone (#42)
#48. To: redleghunter (#45)
(Edited)
Replies to Comment # 48.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 48.
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