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Title: Should Christians Be Hospitable to Cult Members?
Source:
Grace to You
URL Source: http://www.gty.org/resources/bible- ... ble-to-cult-members?Term=cults
Published: Mar 11, 2015
Author: John MacArthur
Post Date: 2015-03-11 16:41:49 by redleghunter
Keywords: None
Views: 44392
Comments: 144
In verse 10 John sets out one practical application of how to defend the truth: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house. Hospitality for traveling teachers was common in the culture (cf. Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-12). The prohibition here is not to turn away the ignorant; it does not mean that believers may not invite unbelievers—even those who belong to a cult or false religion—into their midst. That would make giving the truth to them difficult, if not impossible. The point is that believers are not to welcome and provide care for traveling false teachers, who seek to stay in their homes, thereby giving the appearance of affirming what they teach and lending them credibility
John’s use of the conjunction ei (if) with an indicative verb indicates a condition that is likely true. Apparently, the lady to whom he wrote had for whatever reason, in the name of Christian fellowship, already welcomed false teachers into her home. It was just such compassionate, well-meaning people that the false teachers sought out (cf. 2 Tim. 3:6); since churches were supposed to be protected by elders who were skilled teachers of the Word (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9), they should have been less susceptible to the lies propagated by the deceivers. Having established themselves in homes, the false teachers hoped eventually to worm their way into the churches. It is much the same today, as false teaching insidiously invades Christian homes through television, radio, the Internet, and literature.
So threatening are these emissaries of Satan that Jo[h]n went on to forbid even giving them a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Irenaeus relates that the church father Polycarp, when asked by the notorious heretic Marcion, “Do you know me?” replied, “I do know you—the firstborn of Satan” (Against Heresies, 3.3.4). John himself once encountered Cerinthus (another notorious heretic) in a public bathhouse in Ephesus. Instead of greeting him, however, John turned and fled, exclaiming to those with him, “Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 3.3.4).
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I am not some 5000 year-old nomadic Jewish shepard boy.
I'm calling BS, Choo-Choo Willie. You don't look a day over 4800 years-old.
#61. To: TooConservative, Gatlin (#54)
Yep, and every time I break wind from the
beans the sound it makes is: "Buckeroo."
#62. To: redleghunter (#59)
People like to add in billions of years to fit an unproven scientific theory.It usually makes them comfortable at cocktail parties with liberal atheists.
ZING!
(My mind is still blown by so-called "intellectuals" who look in a mirror, examine life, then claim they need "evidence" of "God.")
#63. To: Liberator (#60)
I'm calling BS, Choo-Choo Willie. You don't look a day over 4800 years-old.
It's that 2-pack-a-day habit I had for many years...
hopping around on one leg keeps me fit as a fiddle!
#64. To: cranko, redleghunter. (#42)
So they [those who pray in pubic] are faux Christians in your view?I can't look what is in their hearts. It's not for me to judge.
Yet you are doing exactly THAT; JUDGING.
SUGGESTION: Turn off your Tee-Bee. Stop re-interpreting the Bible. And give up on ever receiving your refund on that fifty bucks your sent Swaggart back in 1984. Not that *I* am judging *you.* (See how that works?)
#65. To: Willie Green (#63) (Edited)
Say hey -- the important thing is that you finally quit the smokes. And nowadays, all you need is a parrot on your shoulder, Dr. Hook! (*squawk* "BUILD THE TRAIN TRACKS AND THEY WILL COME!! ARRRRGH!!")
#66. To: Liberator, cranko (#58)
IF it did, my car would be keyed in a parking lot in about 20 minutes. Self-proclaimed "gods" don't appreciate that type of "intolerance."
Of which you can then strike up a conversation with your would be vandals and show them:
Isaiah 61 King James Version (KJV)
61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:23)
#67. To: redleghunter, Vicomte13, Willie Green (#59)
People like to add in billions of years to fit an unproven scientific theory.
Actually, the creation account in Genesis is one that describes most directly the creation of earth and possibly major elements of our solar system.
Genesis doesn't speak of other stars, other galaxies, and the wider universe.
A real god of this universe would consider Earth a small operation among His vast holdings. Maybe along the lines of the regard you have for for a nice shrub or bush on your property.
Jesus did say, "In my Father's house are many mansions"... Who (or what) are in all those other mansions?
The Father may be operating on a scale unimaginably larger than we can conceive. Being a little contrarian at times, I always try to assume that He is. We can never make God too big but we often make Him too small.
#68. To: Willie Green, buckeroo (#61)
Yep, and every time I break wind from the beans the sound it makes is: "Buckeroo."
I like buckeroo. I recall a memorable thread at 4um where the two of us valiantly defended the poor Israeli bulldozer that was so viciously attacked by that invader, Rachel Corrie.
#69. To: A K A Stone, cranko (#30)
Here is an example of Jesus praying out loud. So you are wrong....
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Good example....
And recall how Jesus taught the people how to pray to the Father....at His Sermon on the Mount? IN PUBLIC!!
That Jesus -- wadda show-off!!
#70. To: redleghunter (#66)
Of which you can then strike up a conversation with your would be vandals and show them...
Maybe Isaiah 61: 1-2 could be the bumper-sticker on the right side of the rear bumper. Vandals and cowards aren't usually are caught in the act, or stick around too long :-)
#71. To: redleghunter (#59)
People like to add in billions of years to fit an unproven scientific theory.
No, the speed of light is a known constant, so the approximate size and age of the known Universe is readily calculable.
The problem is that, 5000 years ago, nomadic Jewish shepherds didn't have the Internet or Wikipedia to look-up these scientific facts. They had to jot it all down in indecipherable hieroglyphics on crumbly parchment paper. Cripes, they even did it bass-ackwards right-to-left instead of writing it left-to-right like modern, civilized people do.
#72. To: TooConservative (#68)
I recall a memorable thread at 4um where the two of us valiantly defended the poor Israeli bulldozer that was so viciously attacked by that invader, Rachel Corrie.
I forget why I got banned there... maybe for defending Goldi-Lox... but who knows? That water went over the dam long, long ago...
But if you ever come across Jethro Tull, send him my regards... we didn't always see eye-to-eye (nobody ever does) but Jethro was always good for a civil, intelligent discussion.
#73. To: Liberator (#69)
And recall how Jesus taught the people how to pray to the Father....at His Sermon on the Mount? IN PUBLIC!!
Jesus got off on a technicality, having specifically warned them against rote recitations (like Our Fathers and Hail Marys to give an example that conveniently comes to mind).
Very lawyerly instructions on how to pray.
And despite His warnings against rote prayer, hundreds of millions of Christians use that specific prayer as a rote recital prayer, unaware of the irony.
#74. To: Willie Green (#72)
I forget why I got banned there
On FR you were questioning Free Market cult.
#75. To: TooConservative, redleghunter, Vicomte13, Willie Green (#67)
A real god of this universe would consider Earth a small operation among His vast holdings.
You mean this McEarth may be one of God's tiny franchises??
Maybe God's written a "Genesis" account for billions of planets. With several billion VERY busy "Sons" serving and spreading the Gospel to Clingons and Romulans, etal.
("Hey! Where's MY Genesis??!?")
#76. To: Liberator (#75)
You mean this McEarth may be one of God's tiny franchises??
I know, I know. As the heretics like to say: "Prove from scripture that it isn't!".
Don't strain your back gathering firewood and kindling for my upcoming auto-de-fé.
Here's a lovely one from 1680, a full stadium event.
#77. To: Willie Green (#51)
am not some 5000 year-old nomadic Jewish shepard boy. I'm a modern-day American who is well educated both in the fudamental tenets of my religious faith AND the scientific facts that reveals the mysteries of God's wonderous universe far beyond the comprehension level of illiterate, 5000-year-old-nomads.In revealing Genesis to those nomadic tribes, it wasn't God's purpose to educate them with a complex understanding of cosmology & astrophysics. Nor did he intend the Creation Story to include a detailed explanation of DNA/biochemistry/microbiology & evolution.
The Bible and Modern Science are NOT incompatible. I think it's a shame that you have been duped by atheists into thinking that they are.
#78. To: TooConservative, releghunter, CZ82 (#73)
Jesus got off on a technicality, having specifically warned them against rote recitations (like Our Fathers and Hail Marys to give an example that conveniently comes to mind).Very lawyerly instructions on how to pray.
Chyeah -- like HE wuz soooo special?? Well, it's not as though Jesus instructed repetition in the 'Our Father.' (Unless of course as part of penance in the Confessional thru Father Flanagan.) As to a 'Hail Mary,' "Go looong! I'll hit you with a bomb, Homes!"
Yes, "lawyerly," but The Mount was as public as can be (Jesus: "Is this mike on??") I'll provide other accounts: Mealtime Grace; Leading two or more in prayer. We discern between that and a peanut vendor at Yankee Stadium.
#79. To: Liberator, TooConservative (#70)
Vandals and cowards aren't usually are caught in the act, or stick around too long :-)
There's a loud mouth where I work always telling everyone else how much more 'Conservative' he is compared to the rest of us. FWIW all of us are military veterans, so of course the comments are not well taken.
I'm thinking of getting magnet bumper stickers for his car. One with "COEXIST" and the other "Veterans for Obola."
Do you think that would be uncharitable. I mean they are magnetic type stickers and not permanent:)
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:23)
#80. To: TooConservative (#76)
Do you have the audio??
(eyes straining) I can't tell if that's 1680's version of Jonathan Edwards OR Joel Osteen.
#81. To: redleghunter, TooConservative (#79)
There's a loud mouth where I work always telling everyone else how much more 'Conservative' he is compared to the rest of us. FWIW all of us are military veterans, so of course the comments are not well taken.
"Conservative" in what context??
I'm thinking of getting magnet bumper stickers for his car. One with "COEXIST" and the other "Veterans for Obola." Do you think that would be uncharitable. I mean they are magnetic type stickers and not permanent:)
Oh, that's gonna leave a mark. (I approve ;-)
#82. To: A Pole, Willie Green (#74)
On FR you were questioning Free Market cult.
As opposed to promoting all the benefits of the Union-Commie Cult??
#83. To: Willie Green (#71)
No, the speed of light is a known constant, so the approximate size and age of the known Universe is readily calculable.The problem is that, 5000 years ago, nomadic Jewish shepherds didn't have the Internet or Wikipedia to look-up these scientific facts. They had to jot it all down in indecipherable hieroglyphics on crumbly parchment paper. Cripes, they even did it bass-ackwards right-to-left instead of writing it left-to-right like modern, civilized people do.
If that makes you feel better at cocktail parties, Willie, drive on.
Creation was a miracle just as Christ fed the 5000 with a few fish and loaves.
I will ask the question I normally do at this point.
Are the miracles of Christ recorded in the Gospels and proclaimed in the NT epistles literal? Meaning did they happen as recorded in Scriptures?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:23)
#84. To: Liberator, Vicomte13 (#78)
Yes, "lawyerly," but The Mount was as public as can be (Jesus: "Is this mike on??")
Let's look at the source in Matthew 6 (KJV):
| 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. |
Jesus instructs to pray in secret (not in groups reciting prayers) and to avoid rote prayers altogether.
Modern Christians of almost every flavor disregard these clear commands from their Savior at least once a year and flaunt their defiance of Jesus in unity. Some of them wear Christian jewelry or T-shirts while doing it, also contrary to Christ's command on such public displays of self-righteous holiness in apparel.
#85. To: Liberator (#81)
"Conservative" in what context??
He's a vocal fiscal conservative. Also a close the border conservative. Beyond that anything goes.
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:23)
#86. To: Willie Green (#51)
The Biblical tenants and science are incompatible when science contradicts the Holy Bible. Science is always contradicting itself. How often has science findings changed previous scientific findings?
#87. To: redleghunter (#83)
If that makes you feel better at cocktail parties, Willie, drive on.
Those cocktail parties are a little less smug than you imagine.
Big Bang does have some problems and contradictions, the most glaring of which is its lack of explanation for what happened before the Big Bang.
A rising theory is that the universe was never created at all and has existed from all eternity in largely the form it has today. While light matter and dark matter and their associated energy may alter over time, sometimes spectacularly, it doesn't change the overall eternal nature and composition of the universe.
I actually like this better than Big Bang which I always found lacking.
#88. To: Liberator (#80)
Do you have the audio??
You can find video clips on YouPope.com.
(eyes straining) I can't tell if that's 1680's version of Jonathan Edwards OR Joel Osteen.
Some guy from Rome. Like you didn't know that already, you imp.
#89. To: TooConservative (#84)
What chapter and verse are you referencing in your statement about the Bible and apparel. I have no problem with wearing such T-Shirts as you mentioned. It is time that more people talk more about Christ.
#90. To: TooConservative, liberator (#87)
A rising theory is that the universe was never created at all and has existed from all eternity in largely the form it has today. While light matter and dark matter and their associated energy may alter over time, sometimes spectacularly, it doesn't change the overall eternal nature and composition of the universe.I actually like this better than Big Bang which I always found lacking.
Atheists are always looking for the next 'angle' to explain things they can't explain with real science.
They will eventually embrace (some do now) some pagan pantheism to 'splain' things.
Everything under the sun (or universe) other than a Sovereign and Eternal God.
The notion of "everything has always been" meme is so detached of reason, logic and even common sense. As everything is in decay. If something has an end (which we can observe) it has a beginning (which we can observe as well through procreation). The sheer madness of their darkened pursuits of any explanation other than God is saddening.
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1 Peter 1:23)
#91. To: Don (#86)
The Biblical tenants and science are incompatible when science contradicts the Holy Bible. Science is always contradicting itself. How often has science findings changed previous scientific findings?
Fundamentally, I remain an acolyte of the process of Continuous Improvement, and I beleive that Modern Science has a much better understanding of the Universe than the ancient nomadic tribes of the Middle East 5000 years ago.
If you wish to remain stagnant in their archaic worldview, that is of course your perogative.
#92. To: redleghunter (#90)
The notion of "everything has always been" meme is so detached of reason, logic and even common sense. As everything is in decay. If something has an end (which we can observe) it has a beginning (which we can observe as well through procreation).
I'll observe that the Genesis creation account does share a certain sudden poof-factor with the Big Bang theory. Both are of a sudden massive creation from nothing.
So Big Bang is a lot of instant creationism (as with Genesis) but with no God involved.
What if Genesis describes only the creation of our own planet and solar system and no more?
#93. To: Willie Green (#91)
I remain an acolyte of the process of Continuous Improvement...
As ridiculous as your analogs among the evolutionists.
Of course, this is sheer ignorance of what evolution really is. Devolution is just as possible (and likely) as evolution. Darwin certainly thought so and said so.
It is the liberal types who like to believe that "everything is getting better in every way" who have mangled Darwin's work in this way.
Gigantism is especially hated by Darwin and his elvish helpers.
#94. To: A Pole (#74)
On FR you were questioning Free Market cult.
I wasn't banned... I opused out when AssClown Robinson declared himself more "conservative" than Paul Weyrich and censored discussion of passenger rail issues because it was a subversive communist plot:
Trains Save Fuel
To: Jim RobinsonWe don’t want any fricken government trains! Got it?!!Ten Reasons Why Conservatives should support transit
By Paul Weyrich and William S. LindOver 35 million Americans rely on some form of public tansportation to commute to work every weekday.
If that makes them "marxist" in your worldview, then I suggest that you refrain from hanging out with the whacknut libertarians. They obviously have been a bad influence on you.
That was my last post in the Echo Chamber...
I don't kowtow to JimRob's abusive mind control.
If you want to talk about creepy cult leaders, you can't leave JimRob off the list.
#95. To: TooConservative (#93)
Of course, this is sheer ignorance of what evolution really is. Devolution is just as possible (and likely) as evolution. Darwin certainly thought so and said so.
Don't go misinterpreting what I said.
Just because I told you that I'm an acolyte of Continuous Improvement on this thread, don't go forgetting that I've also recently declared myself a firm believer in Murphy's Law: "If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong."
That's the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, dude... ENTROPY!!! The natural tendency of everything in the universe to go to hell in a handbag...
That's why you have to constantly pursue Continuous Improvement: to prevent Entropy from destroying the Universe.
In the engineering world, Entropy is the Evil One... Entropy is the Devil... Entropy is Satan..
#96. To: Willie Green, TooConservative (#95) (Edited)
"If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong." That's the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, dude... ENTROPY!!! The natural tendency of everything in the universe to go to hell in a handbag...
WHICH is exactly why Evolution can not be proven, but is impossible as well, while Devolution has been nature's/God's order of everything.
From the moment of the Fall (at the behest of the Evil One), God's good earth and His material universe were designed....to erode, degrade, and die. ALL of it. It has an Expiration Date. Stephen King's Langoliers book/movie was sort of his take on this.
You are both likely familiar with the experiments on accelerated fruit fly generations. In time scientists observed (to their utter dismay) that instead of evolving or strengthened the organism one iota, their DNA deteriorated.
Ideas may "evolve," but not this material universe. Nor has it ever.
#97. To: Willie Green (#95)
That's why you have to constantly pursue Continuous Improvement: to prevent Entropy from destroying the Universe.
No, it isn't. The universe is not that fragile.
We don't really know enough about the universe to make pompous proclamations. We greatly overestimate the extent of our knowledge.
#98. To: TooConservative (#93)
Gigantism is especially hated by Darwin and his elvish helpers.
Unless they were dinosaurs that lived "65 million years ago " as decreed by Science's Counsel of High Priests.
#99. To: Liberator (#96)
From the moment of the Fall (at the behest of the Evil One), God's good earth and His material universe were designed....to erode, degrade, and die. ALL of it. It has an Expiration Date.
Your remarks remind me a little of some of the ancient gnostics. How the material world was evil and corrupt, the idea that the Creator was corrupt and evil entity who different from the God of the NT. Not that I'm suggesting you are gnostic or any such thing.
It is an interesting take, a markedly decadent universe. The flip side of the everything-is-getting-better-in-every-way progressive types.
#100. To: Liberator (#98)
Unless they were dinosaurs that lived "65 million years ago " as decreed by Science's Counsel of High Priests.
Many other species still with us today were much much larger in ancient times.
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