The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum 2 John 1:10-11

2 John was preached on last night at church, and it was a wonderful sermon. I desire to discuss it here, specifically these two verses.

How far should these verses be taken? Does this prevent us from sharing the Gospel with a Mormon missionary in our own home, or is there a better way to witness to him? Does this mean we shouldn't tell a JW "I hope your day goes well"? What about fixing the tire of a group of United Church of Christ persons going on a spiritual retreat? What about buying from a bakesale at a Jewish synagogue?

When does giving a cup of water in Christ's name become participating in evil deeds?

My understanding of 2 john is that John is addressing a congregation of believers. The warning about inviting the person into your house I believe is better understood to mean do not invite the person to teach and preach in your Church. In essence, don't let known false teachers have the pulpit. I saw this once at an old SBC church I attended in college. One of the Sunday school teacher allowed a Muslim to come and speak to the Sunday school class for the purposes of getting to know what Islam teaches. The guy only only served to cause problems among the younger believers.

Though I do respect families who would not want to invite young Mormon missionaries into the home for a meal and a discussion on salvation, I do not think John's words are prohibiting such a scenario.

Fred

I would include the home in this, and not limit it to the church. However, I see the deceivers in this verse as people who try to subvert the gospel from inside the church. In Corinthians we are told to not associate with immoral person who claims to be apart of our church. The same would go here.

I would add one other thing. I am careful not to have any type of association which would seem to give acceptance to a neighbor. If I am seen playing golf on Monday, having the same person over for dinner on Thursday, and Saturday be seen socializing at this person's house, who is for example, a JW. When my neighbor sees this then he would assume, by association, I think the JW religion is ok. There is a fine line between what people call "friendship evangelism" and aligning ourselves with those who are of are of the world.

Just my 2 cents worth, I hope this made some sort of sense.

So when should have Jesus talked with the adulteress woman? When should he have eaten with publicans and sinners? What about the woman at the well? Did Jesus ever teach in a Jewish synagogue? What about Paul?

Jesus should have talked with the adulteress woman at the exact time that he did. (I can not do the smiley thing-but a smiley would go here).
I said the line it is a thin line. However, it seems that it is easily seen by others when they look at our situation (what ever that maybe). I have tried to seek the general advice from others that I consider I little wiser than I. For instance, I have been dealing with a woman who just left her husband. We manage to have the appropriate time to talk about her situation, but at the same time I make sure that it never appears more than a helping hand from other people.
Very suddle and simple things often help. For example, I always (and no exceptions allowed) refer to the female sex as Ms. or Mz then their last name. We can still do this down here in the south without sounding too funny.

Is this kind of what you were asking. It you think I was saying do not go to the lost, then I wasnt' very clear. I guess.

It has always been my understanding based on the culture that day, that it is a prohibition of not "housing" those who claimed to be teachers, etc. But I could be wrong of course.

Brother Bret