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Should
a
Christian Invite Jehovah's
Witnesses Into Their Home?
Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this
doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither
bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed
is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John 9-11 KJV
Some Christians may feel it is wrong to invite
Jehovah's Witnesses into their home based on 2 John
9-11, Jehovah's Witnesses certainly fit the "abideth
not in the teaching of Christ" category.
We do not want to encourage anyone to go against
what they feel is right. If however we were to make
very strict application of this scripture we may
have to exclude many others from our home, such as
repairmen and others. What then is involved in
receiving one into your home and bidding them God
speed?
Receiving someone into your home during the first
century would most likely have involved a stay of
several days not just a few minutes or hours.
Bidding them God speed could have included the gift
of provisions for their journey. Receiving guests
for several days and providing them with provisions
for their continued journey was common first century
hospitality. It seems likely "receiving him into
your home" and "bidding him God speed" involved
supporting an individual.
Inviting Jehovah's Witnesses into your home for the
purpose of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ does
not seem to me to be what John had in mind when
penning this inspired Scripture. This is only my
personal opinion but, it is also the opinion of many
other Christians.
If it is your belief that you should not invite
Jehovah's Witnesses into your home you can still be
very effective by sharing your testimony with them
at the door. See
Share your testimony with them.
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