Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

The gospel message should be spread to all mankind, including satanists. Those who believe join the church of God as part of the body of Christ.

However, I have a different view than most on inviting someone to be part of the church when they do not yet believe:

I do not think this is wise. What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? (II Cor 6:14-16). Everyone in the church works towards edifying other believers and building the church up. Non-christians who come in, at best, contribute nothing to the church. At worse, they actively tear it down.
We should be guarding the flock of God, not actively inviting wolves in for tea (Acts 20:28-31). 

This is a common problem in the church today. Non-believers in many groups are invited to attend Bible study right alongside believers [an attempt to convert via osmosis, I guess] - and this can confuse Christians with the answers they give, or tempt believers to sin. Conversely, we are to hold each other to account (I Thess 5 :11-22, Heb 3:12-14) and encourage each other in Christ - but this is for believers. It does no good to hold someone accountable who does not have faith, for their works cannot save them. Nor can an unbeliever exhort a believer to greater faith.

Non-believers in some groups can serve alongside believers, yet this has repercussions internally [dissensions, time spent explaining or witnessing to the unbeliever vs. Helping], externally [the reputation or testimony of the group being damaged], and spiritually [The unbelievers of the group not having the Holy Spirit, tempting the believers to sin, or pulling away from the goal of the service]. 

Some groups go so far as to even give these non-believers leadership positions (hosting events, leading worship, etc); directly contrary to the countless warnings to look out for false teachers (Matt 7:15-16, Col 2:18-19, etc).


Now, this does not mean that there is never a time to invite an unbeliever to a church service. If a church group is holding a special sermon or event specifically to reach unbelievers, then that would be an excellent time to invite them. [Some church groups give advanced notice about whether or not a sermon will be geared towards unbelievers, which is helpful].

There is a danger for the unbeliever too, in that they may believe themselves saved when they are not, by virtue of their 'attending church', or because they look like a Christian and join in christian activities. Yet, we see from Matt 22:11-13 that God sees how we truly look. We can't just sneak unbelievers in through the back door.

The model Christ gave us is that we go out into the world to preach (Acts 1:8). We do not invite the world "in". The church is to be set apart, like a city on a hill (Matt 5:13-15). The only way for an unbeliever to enter that city is through Christ. We guide unbelievers to Christ, but they cannot become part of the church without entering through Christ, the only gate (Matt 7:13-14).

The early church would preach in the marketplace, in the synagogues, at the riverside - wherever people would gather (Acts 17:17, etc). There, they would share the testimony that Christ was risen Lord.

However, only once a person believed would they join the other believers in communion, fellowship, meeting at houses, etc (Acts 2:45-47). This is so the body of Christ is united in Spirit (I Cor 12:12-14) under the headship of Christ (Eph 4:14-16).

Faith is dependent on hearing that Christ is the Messiah who covers our sins - it should not be based on how well someone likes a church group, thinks a church has great activities, feels accepted or like they belong, etc.

As such, I do not believe you should invite a satanist to your church. I do believe that you should be ready to give an answer for why you have faith (I Pet 3:14-15), if he asks, and take the opportunities given to share the gospel. If you know of a preaching/evangelism event where the gospel will be proclaimed, you could also invite him to that.

November 08 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Darlina Williams-Allen

Yes an invitation should be extended. Jesus taught everyone who would listen. We need to share the Gospel of Jesus to everyone regardless of where they attend. Prayerfully the Holy Spirit will move that person to see Jesus is the way, the only way.

November 05 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

JD Abshire

Yes, most definitely! Read the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6 as he writes to the Church at Corinth which was the most wicked and carnal of the New Testament Churches.

V. 9-11 "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 

Now pay special attention to verse 11.

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

There go we all but for the grace of God.

November 05 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Pastor John D'Orazio Pastor and Teacher of a New Church Plant in Toronto

It depends on the motive of the Satanist. Are they searching for truth? I would not advise anyone to invite a Satanist, or anyone who is against Christ, to a meeting of believers. You're asking for trouble. Invite them to an evangelical meeting or an outreach of some kind. I must agree with Jennifer in this case.

December 18 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report