How do we determine who should attend?

Question

I read another post regarding how we would treat a gay couple who attended our church. My first instinct is that we would welcome them in as we would any other.

However, I went back and read some posts where they would be shunned, refused communion and banned.

I am confused! If we are not sharing the love and laws of God with the ones who sin, with whom are we sharing it?

Mark 2:17 (Whole Chapter)
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Well, to become a member of a church, you have to be saved and believe the Bible.- - This is against doctrine. People go to church to learn the Bible and what it means to be saved....right? Where else would one learn?

Answer 1

Jesus would have accepted them in and loved them. Too many people judge, and never show the love of God. They think they are better than the sinner. They are wrong. I have friends that are gay, and I share Jesus with them every time I see them. God will change their hearts one day. Until then I love them as a friend of God.

Answer 2

First, Communion is for those that already believe and whom are saved.

Second, if the gay person did become Christian they would no longer be a practicing gay.

Third, We are all sick, we are all sinners.

Fourth, A Christian is to go to church to be rejuvenated to go out into the world and spread the word of God to other sinners, such as the gays you mentioned. It is not the other way around. Christians went out to the sinners, not the other way around.


Edit* I guess we just disagree about the purpose of the Church. How does one become saved? It's not a complicated process. You either believe in Jesus Christ or you don't. We are to spread the word; both law and salvation from the law. A person individually decides if he has broken the law and therefore in need of a Savior. A church cannot help them with this. It is God who leads.
A church has absolutely nothing to do with whether a person is saved or not. It is only after this person has accepted Jesus into their hearts, that church becomes relevant. This is where we learn and grow in faith. We already made the decision to become a Christian. We already accepted Jesus Christ as the way, truth, and life. The church is for growing in faith, so you may go spread the word with confidence and truth; it is not for getting saved.

Answer 3

If they wish to attend your Church I suppose you can't discourage them however in the event they apply for membership then scriptually, membership would have to be refused until such time as they put themselves right with the Lord. The Lord outright condemns homosexual relationships therefore membership could not be allowed. It was for this very reason the Lord destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are told in the Bible that in the last days homosexual activity would again become rife. I would consider the best way to approach them would be to show yourself friendly but remember, you have an obligation to the Lord not to make friends with the "world"

Answer 4

Well, to become a member of a church, you have to be saved and believe the Bible. If gay people read the Bible, they'd know it was a sin and an abomination to God, just like any sin is. You're supposed to love the sinner and hate the sin.

Answer 5

I was a bit appalled myself...but then, I have to honestly ask myself...how would I react? I know that I would be very uncomfortable around gay people...and especially in church. I know I shouldn't be that way, but I would feel uncomfortable with a known kleptomaniac...and you'd better believe I'd be watching my purse...I'd surely be uncomfortable with a known sex offender in my church, even though he's "done his time"...you know you'd be keeping your kids close...
Sin ought to make us nervous...in other people, and in ourselves. Shouldn't it??
When the Lord met with sinners, He generally changed their direction. The prostitute stopped being a prostitute, the tax collector returned the money he'd stolen, etc.
We want sinners to come to church...but we expect their encounter with the Lord to make changes in their lives.
What you said is perfectly true...Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners....TO REPENTANCE.....

Answer 6

But even Jesus told them to "Go and sin no more" Leviticus 18:22 revelation 21:8

Answer 7

You are correct in your question and statements. Some so-called Christians are guilty of sin by the act of judging another human soul. It was Jesus's invitation to grace and acceptance, not ours. At our church, all are welcome, received, and brought to the table of grace, as we gather together to accept what we ourselves did not earn.

Answer 8

Ah, yes....but receiving Communion is something different. St. Paul warns us against receiving the Body and Blood in a state of unconfessed sin!

As a Priest, I am responsible for who eats at the Lord's Table. According to St. Paul:

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Answer 9

Only Bigots would shun Gays from Church.

Answer 10

EVERYONE should be welcomed. He without sin cast the first stone. (John 8:7 )