Use Your House (home) To Evangelize?

[2Jo 1:9-11 KJV] 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

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

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Having attended Baptist churches for fifty-five years or more, I not only have NEVER heard a sermon based on these verses, but have been taught the opposite!

Why? Has satan successfully deceived professing christians?

Do these prohibitions to the church (body of Christ) as well? I think so.

Are churches so needy that they welcome non-believers (with their wallets) with open doors and wish them God's blessings on departing?

[Eph 4:11-12 KJV] 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Wesley Briggman said:

[2Jo 1:9-11 KJV] 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

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

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Having attended Baptist churches for fifty-five years or more, I not only have NEVER heard a sermon based on these verses, but have been taught the opposite!

Why? Has satan successfully deceived professing christians?

Do these prohibitions to the church (body of Christ) as well? I think so.

Are churches so needy that they welcome non-believers (with their wallets) with open doors and wish them God's blessings on departing?

[Eph 4:11-12 KJV] 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

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So you think churches should only let saved believers enter them?

Unsaved people must not be allowed to go to church?

How do you determine if a person is saved?

Do you stand at the door and interrogate them? Make them fill out a questionnaire?

Put a sign on the door that says “Non-believers Not Welcome”…?

I think the caution is that believers not be deceived. It is a warning against false teachers.

Those John speaks of have "gone too far and do not remain in the teachings of Christ".

The "gone too far and do not remain" indicates that they were, at one time, considered Christian but they have traded the "faith once delievered" (God's words) for what men say is really taught by Scripture when properly understood. They have gone too far - it is no longer mere disagreement about how God's words are interpreted or applied.

In the passage they went too far about false teachings regarding the Incarnation.


A sister passage is 1 John 4:1: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."


We are to test doctrine to know the spirit behind what is being taught (not necessarily the intent of the teacher). We test this against God's words. If a professing Christian teaches a doctrine that "goes too far" (that is not in "what is written", the "faith once delivered") then that person is "accursed" and are to be avoided.

I do not see this as unbelievers per se, but those who claim and probably believe they are Christian.

And it makes sence. If a Christian entertains an unbeliever then they are following Christ's example. If a Christian refuses to entertain a professing Christian who goes too far and dismisses God's words in favor of his own theories then that Chrisian is also following Christ.

Ascetic X said:

So you think churches should only let saved believers enter them?

Unsaved people must not be allowed to go to church?

How do you determine if a person is saved?

Do you stand at the door and interrogate them? Make them fill out a questionnaire?

Put a sign on the door that says “Non-believers Not Welcome”…?

Click to expand...

2Jo 1:9-11 KJV] 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

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

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

How would you apply these scriptures?

Having attended Baptist churches for fifty-five years or more, I not only have NEVER heard a sermon based on these verses, but have been taught the opposite!

Have you heard a sermon based on this passage?

Wesley Briggman said:

2Jo 1:9-11 KJV] 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

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

11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

How would you apply these scriptures?

Having attended Baptist churches for fifty-five years or more, I not only have NEVER heard a sermon based on these verses, but have been taught the opposite!

Have you heard a sermon based on this passage?

Click to expand...

Instead of answering my question, you merely repeated your post.

So, to clarify your meaning…

Should we put a sign on the door of our church that says “Non-believers Not Welcome”…?



Berean Study Bible:

If anyone comes to you
This phrase indicates the presence of itinerant teachers or missionaries in the early Christian community. The early church often relied on traveling preachers to spread the Gospel, as seen in Acts 15:36-41. The phrase suggests vigilance in discerning the teachings of those who come to the community.

but does not bring this teaching
"This teaching" refers to the core doctrines of Christianity, particularly the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, as emphasized in 2 John 1:7. The early church faced challenges from false teachings, such as Gnosticism, which denied the incarnation of Christ. This phrase underscores the importance of doctrinal purity.

do not receive him into your home
In the first-century context, hospitality was a significant cultural value, and homes often served as meeting places for the church (Romans 16:5). However, this instruction highlights the need to protect the community from false teachings by not offering support or endorsement to those who spread them.

or even greet him
The greeting in ancient times was more than a simple hello; it often implied fellowship and acceptance. By instructing believers not to greet false teachers, the text emphasizes the seriousness of maintaining doctrinal integrity and avoiding any appearance of endorsing heretical views. This aligns with Paul's warnings in Galatians 1:8-9 about the dangers of false gospels.