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Discussion Forum : News and Current Events : Including Non-Christians in Christian Worship

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demarks
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Joined: 2005/11/1
Posts: 9
MS

 Re: Worship with sinners?

To start out we need to ask some questions:
What is the church?
What are we supposed to be doing?
How does evangelism and discipleship work together?
What about Church discipline?
So many things to consider.
First: What is the church? Someone has stated: "The Church is not a museum of the saints but a hospital for sinners." It that true?

The Church is the "called out ones". We are listening to a different drummer. Our standard is different than the pagan world. Our message is the abrasive message of the cross. We are a peculiar people. People are changed and then added to the church. The church does not change to accommodate the sinner. There are places and ministries that the church can sponsor that would take the Gospel to the streets--Christian coffee houses, evangelism outreaches, crisis pregnancy centers, jail ministries, etc.-- that would function as a hospital for sinners. The gathering of believers as the church is another thing. It may actually more function like a spiritual fitness center. It is not just an exclusive club for the spiritually superior but it is not to be place to attract sinners. I believe church history and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles indicate that the church met and came away from the world. They also went out into the community and evangelized the unbelievers. When the sinners repented and made a profession of faith, they were added to the disciples. The early church meetings consisted of continuing..."steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in the breaking of bread (Christian communion) and in prayers." Combating false doctrine was the single most important task of the early church. If that was not true then most of the New Testament was really not necessary. The Epistles were primarily for correction in doctrine. I believe it is the obligation of the church to set the standards within its domain. We do judge within the church. God judges outside the church. When a person enters the church domain, we are obligated to demonstrate and proclaim the doctrines of the apostles. This is not a social club where we are trying to win over new members. Difference brings conviction. Conviction brings repentance. Repentance brings redemption. When a person comes to church, he/she should soon be aware of what type of gathering this is--the Church of the Living God. The local church should let people know that when you enter those doors, this is what you are dealing with. It is a sacred assembly of believers. A homosexual should not be able to continue to come without knowing that homosexual behavior is sinful according to scripture. He/she should not be encouraged to feel comfortable with people of faith without being willing to repent of their sin. Immodest dress should be addressed as soon as possible. Any cause for stumbling should be dealt with asap. Allowing questionable or unrepentant persons to participate in sacred ordinances such as baptism, communion, baby dedications and like should not happen. The first thing we are to address when people want to participate in these things is: "Are you a believer? What evidence is there in your life that would indicate that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ?"


_________________
Dennis Marks

 2006/4/3 12:27Profile
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Replies
SubjectPosterDate
    Affirmation or Transformation?demarks2006/4/3 12:30:21
        Re: Affirmation or Transformation?habakkuk32006/5/9 16:38:48
            Re:2006/5/9 18:22:24
                Re:Tears_of_joy2006/5/9 19:54:26
                    Re:2006/5/10 7:31:33
                        Re:2006/5/10 7:38:18
                            Re:Tears_of_joy2006/5/10 18:02:43
                                Re:2006/5/11 6:47:57







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