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To: lupie
What is your scriptural basis for that?

Will you do it -- (compel them to come in)-- if I tell you?

367 posted on 01/11/2006 2:57:34 PM PST by P-Marlowe
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To: P-Marlowe; Gamecock
I asked: What is your scriptural basis for that?

You answered: Will you do it -- (compel them to come in)-- if I tell you?

Your answer is not an answer. You assume that I don't. If so, then you assume wrongly. I am curious where you find in scripture as a command and as an example where we are to bring believers into church. Being commanded to be fishers of men, and preaching the gospel to all, to lift up and exalt the name of Jesus is not the same. Those are individual commands, not just corporate commands. The work of the pastors/shepherds are to encourage their flock to seek Christ Jesus, to know Him and be known by Him more and more. And a direct result of that is to lift up His name to both believers and unbelievers.

Too often in the seeker sensitive type churches of Warren and Hybels, et al is that all they are doing is training the sheep to bring in anyone from the outside into their pen. But throughout scripture, and very clearly depicted in the OT model, the aliens and those not not living their faith, but out of favor with God were put OUT of the assembly. Same with the NT.

As Gamecock said earlier, the church is the goal. But for the most part, we are to be speaking the gospel - always. We are to be extending the kingdom to them - not just an invitation to go to a worship service. What I see happening in most of the seeker churches (and others not so seeker sensitive) is that the responsibility to evangelize is seen as that as the pastors and not the individual believers and many of them do not know how. But if we are known more and more by God and are growing in Him, then rivers of Living water flow out of us to those who are thirsty.

Conversion/salvation does not happen because someone is brought to a building with a certain type of music they like, or a place where they can dress how they want or whatever floats their boat as far as church is concerned. But instead, it happens because they realize they are a lowly sinner in the presence of the Almighty God - the same God who paid the price for their Redemption - the God who work was finished on the cross.

376 posted on 01/11/2006 3:46:48 PM PST by lupie
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