Dean wrote: > Do you see any limits to that love? Should I love those > mentioned below? Would love be to invite him in-feed him > and give him a bed-then why should I send him away as > direct in the below passage? Who then is this speaking of? > And if we are so strong- why are we directed to not receive > them? These question need to be answered by this list. > 2 John1:10-11 > If there come any unto you,and bring not this doctrine, > receive him not into your house,neither bid him God speed: > 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partakers of his > evil deeds.
I believe that this passage in 2 John has a specific context which is not precisely stated. I believe it refers to how we should not receive certain traveling apostles and evangelists who are ministering to the saints. I believe this for two reasons: 1. We must reconcile what is said here with other passages that suggest that hospitality is a Godly trait. 2. Early church history gives us an indication that many traveled around as apostles and evangelists and were dependent upon the hospitality of the residents. Let me elaborate a little more on these points. First, let's consider some passages which speak of hospitality, not just toward the brethren, but toward strangers. The stranger in the old testament clearly meant those who were not circumcised, those not in covenant with God. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2 KJV) For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, AND TO STRANGERS; (3 John 1:3-5 KJV) A bishop must be blameless... A LOVER OF HOSPITALITY. (Titus 1:7-8 KJV) ... a widow ... Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, IF SHE HAVE LODGED STRANGERS. (1 Timothy 5:9-10 KJV) And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34 KJV) ... given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. (Romans 12:13-14 KJV) Also consider the documented behavior of Jesus, who lodged with a chief of the Pharisees (Luke 14:1), and was recognized to receive sinners and publicans (Luke 15:2). Now that we have considered these passages, consider also some history of early Christianity. There is a book called the Didache, also called, "The Teaching of the Apostles." Perhaps you have heard me mention it in other posts before. This was a late first century or early second century writing which gives us numerous admonitions concerning Christian conduct. One section concerns apostles and prophets and how the saints are to be hospitable toward them. I will quote just a little of it for you. "Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received of the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, a second likewise; but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet. And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he findeth shelter; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet. And any prophet speaking in the Spirit, ye shall not try neither discern; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. Yet not every one that speaketh in the Spirit is a prophet, but only if he have the ways of the Lord. From his ways therefore the false prophet and the prophet shall be recognized. And no prophet when he ordereth a table in the Spirit shall eat of it; otherwise, he is a false prophet. And every prophet teaching the truth, if he doeth not what he teacheth, is a false prophet. ... And whosoever shall say in the Spirit, Give me silver or anything else, ye shall not listen to him; but if he tell you to give on behalf of others that are in want, let no man judge him." The thing that strikes me from reading this is that traveling ministers seemed to have been rather common place. Furthermore, there were a lot of phonies taking to it as well. This passage seems much more detailed than 2 John is in regards to dealing with false apostles, but I think this is indeed the context to which John addresses himself. We must reconcile this concept of being hospitable to strangers and how Jesus sat with and lived with and ate with Pharisees, publicans, and sinners, with the passage in 2 John. I think this is easily done if we understand that John was speaking about those traveling apostles and evangelists who were not ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ. We should not receive those ministers who were not ministering Christ and walking in his ways. This does not mean that you cannot bring in a stranger who is not saved. I have brought in many drunks and murderers and thieves into my home to minister to them. However, if a man were set on ministering to the saints and did not abide in the doctrine of Christ, I would not receive such a one, neither would I ask God to bless his endeavors. Rather, I put a separation between me and the one who ministers that which is not in Christ Jesus. One other teaching in the Didache that I thought you might like is, "And reprove one another, not in anger but in peace, as ye find in the Gospel." I like the way that is worded. How about you? Can you receive that? "Reprove one another, not in anger but in peace." Dean wrote: > Please tell me how we are alike? I fail to see this-we > seem to disagree on much? :-) Dean, I think we are a lot alike. I'm not sure why you think we disagree on much. It is probably my style of conversation which tends to focus upon our differences rather than our areas of agreement. We are alike in that we believe in following Jesus Christ, selling out to him 100% and holding nothing back. We are alike in that we are willing to spend and be spent for the sake of the gospel. We are alike in that we see the need to reprove and rebuke this wicked generation. We are alike in that we both believe that there is a separation between those who believe in Christ and those who do not believe in Christ. I could go on and on with how we are alike. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
