Wife Swap

Ever hear of doughnut shops? I have witnessed to many through the years sitting over a cup of coffee and a doughnut at Krispy Kreme. Also a pizza parlor's and such.

But John is explicit in saying that those who bring not the doctrine were not to be allowed in the house of the believer.

 

"If they bring not this doctrine" means just that. My unsaved friends do not bring a doctrine into my house. They bring no doctrine into my house.

I'll go look up the word doctrine....

 

Well said.

It is also highly likely that John may have had in mind a "formal reception" of the heretical missionary.

Contemporary application: don't host a Mormon in your church by letting him preach and giving him a potluck.

I do think there are nuances of individual application, though. For example, I would not host Mormon missionaries in my home, as that would be enabling their religious activities.

 

Pastor Larry,

Can you provide the Scripture that says Jesus invited unsaved people into His home?

Funny, my Bible says Jesus did not have a home of His own here on earth.

'... the Son of man hath not where to lay His head'

 

We don't have any donut shops here....

 

Let me clarify. He went to Matthew's home when Matthew did it. So the Bible is clearly against your position. Having a small apartment is one problem (but not insurmountable for people who are passionate about the gospel). Refusing to do it in supposed obedience to a command that doesn't exist is a much larger problem.

 

Of all the things I've heard you say that I disagree with, this has to be one of those that is the least like Jesus.

 

Those that went to Jesus were seeking Truth. Scripture does not say Matthew invited those publicans and sinners to the house.

They may have been living in the house of Matthew and Matthew invited the Christ to teach them the truth he had received.

They may have come from elsewhere.

Fact is, Jesus did not invite them to Matthew's house as you have erroneously stated He did. Nor is it recorded that Matthew had invited them.

 

Scripture says 'don't invite them into your house.'

 

Doctrine in greek translation means "the teachings".

My unsaved friends do not bring false teachings into our home. They have class enough to know when to refrain from talking about certain subjects, and love me enough as to not attempt to weaken my faith.

They pray with us. I talk like a Christian, make decisions upon where to go, and what to do as to what the Bible teaches.

By default, through my speech and actions, they are being witnessed to.

Most tolerate it well, and on rare occasions, the majority will ask what the Bible says about this or that....

They do not bring any doctrine (teachings) into our home, so they are welcome.

 

John did not say 'if they bring not false teachings.' He said 'if they bring not this teaching don't invite them into your house.' John was not speaking of false teachings when he said if they bring not this teaching don't invite them into your house. If that is what he was saying, then that would mean just the opposite 'if they bring false doctrines, invite them in.'

No, John was saying 'if any bring not the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, don't invite them in.'

 

Then you're no longer welcome for dinner. :thumbs:

 

The name gives that expression. If I had never heard of the TV program, of which many have not, and someone said "our Pastor and his wife are swapping wives", I would think the worst and so does the world and Christians for that matter if they do not know the situation.

It does seem to have reached the point that our children will have to put the TV channel blocks on, to protect our parents, it seems to me. There is no good comes out of this, no matter what spin is put on it.

Just for example, when I first heard that a TV program was coming on about wife swapping, Sex it the first thing I wondered about, how about you???

I was being humorus though, but there really is nothing funny about it, come to think about it.

BBob,

 

is that your way of saying I don't carry the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ?

shame on you.

I would have turned down the invitation anyway. I don't sit at a table where alcohol is served.

 

Forget all the theological reasons against it, I just couldn't imagine being away from hubby or the kids for two weeks. I would miss them all terribly. Now, two weeks away from the kids but with hubby...we can talk about that! :laugh: I'd still miss the kids but I could sure handle missing them as long as hubby is with me! :laugh: :thumbs:

 

2 John 1; 7-11 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we[a] do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.
9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and bring not this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

You posted "Actually, the antichrist John spoke of in verse 8 don't bring that doctrine anyway. They bring a false doctrine."

Agreed. This helps with context. We are to be careful not to loose the things we worked hard for (salvation) Entertaining the Anti-Christ and/or a deceiver's false doctrine would be "abiding in their doctrine" as the verse says above. A willing and active participant of their false doctrine. Something an unsaved person would not participate in.

So....again, my unsaved friends bring no doctrine into my home thus they have no doctrine (teachings) to "abide in". No evil deeds to share in either.

 

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You err, not knowing the Scripture:

Matthew 9:10 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples.

Luke 5:29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them.

Clearly, according to the Scripture, it was in Matthew's house, and it was tax collectors and sinners who were there reclining with Christ.

So you think Matthew was living with a bunch of tax collectors and sinners??? Come on ...

Obviously.

Yes, I corrected my statement to be more precise.

So you think a bunch of uninvited guests showed up at a reception?

This is not a battle you can win, SFIC. The Scripture is clear.

 

Where does it say Matthew invited those people, PL?

Are you not adding to the Scripture to say they were invited by either Jesus or Matthew when Scripture does not say so?

It is possible he was living with those people. Scripture doesn't say one way or the other.

If they were friends who had been accustomed to meeting with Matthew/Levi before his becoming one of Christ's Disciples, they may have went to Matthew's often.

Scripture is not clear on when this dinner was. If Matthew invited Christ directly after his being called to be a Disciple, it is possible the publicans and sinners did not yet know of Matthew's new Master.

This is not a battle you can win, PL. The Scripture is clear.

Jesus was at a dinner, publicans and sinners showed up.