However if the non-believer is first converted and then introduced into the church they will be very thankfull for a family of believers and it will benifite both parties.
AustinI think this thread links with others on 'what is a church?' etc. There are two broad 'models' for 'Christian' gatherings in the NT. The Corinthian model is a meeting where the saints have gathered to be available to God. There seems to be very little structure in this kind of meeting, but Paul does see the prospect of a 'stranger' being present in the meeting. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. (1Cor. 14:23-25,) The other 'model' is the 'outreach' pattern...But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.(Acts 19:9-10)These were 'daily' meetings where Paul 'dialogued' (the KJV gives a much more contentious feel) with all who would listen and discuss.When I say 'model' I don't mean a blueprint but just drawing attention to the fact that there are different 'kinds' of meetings recorded in the NT. Personally I am in favour of the 'wide open to God' meeting for the saints and a more structured meeting for 'dialogue'. I think it is a kindness to 'the stranger' to put a little bit of structure around the 'dialogue' meeting. English adults now only engage in communal singing when they are drunk. Marriages and funerals often show the 'stranger' acutely embaressed at the attempt to stand and 'sing' from a book containing words which he does not believe and often does not understand.The 'models' for evangelism in the NT are also very varied. The Athen's street market is the one we are most familiar with, but Paul 'evangelised' in synagogues, at riverside 'interdenominational' prayer meetings, and in ordinary conversation. The Greek word 'laleO' meaning to speak was sometimes used in a slightly derogatory manner to mean 'chatter' or just simply 'talk'. The word is frequently used in the NT as part of the process of 'evangelisation', as one put it 'they were gossiping the gospel'.
_________________Ron Bailey
Austin,I was wondering what you make of the answers you've received from your questions here?
I found this hard to believe how people honestly believe that they had no obligation to reach the lost.