I have taken quite an interest towards this topic since the beginning of the month since it seems that today, along with the vagueness in the lines to be drawn in the functions of the pulpit and various ministries in the modern Church, most of us, if we would be honest with ourselves are basically clueless to what is and what is not to be done concerning this issue as directed by scripture.

I think if we would endeavor to ask those who serve in the 21st century Church concerning this matter we would certainly get a mix of responses. How should it be? To whom must the Church service be directed toward? To the believer? To the unbeliever? We would get responses entangled in the lines of evangelism and “The Great Commission” as well as responses going around the nourishment of the saints saying “Well we have to rightly divide the Word of Truth right?”—does that mean dividing the purpose of the Church service too?

There are people in pulpits today, even though they don’t say it, who are so driven by their desire for souls that it is their main objective week in and week out is to reach out to the lost in each and every message they deliver. Yes this is a noble perspective to hold and I commend those who proclaim the Gospel to the congregation, but as all things are that pertain to truth, opinion and personal considerations matter so little. What we should press on toward is what the Bible actually says. What matters is what the Bible tells us to do.

We should not pattern ourselves from our emotions, from what we “feel is right.” We should not pattern our Christian practice to the opinions of men and polls researched by them. But what we must endeavor toward is a conviction of the command of scripture. Not because things work and we have this sense of fulfillment of duty, but because we lay obedient to Holy Writ.

So then what does the Bible say about that? Does it say anything about it at all? Some people may argue that there really isn’t a specific decree or command what the Bible tells us to do, much like there’s no specific command against drug trafficking and things like that, but then in this case that isn’t so. There is specific instruction in scripture in how we should address this issue.

Should we or should not hold Church services for the unbeliever? Of course it’s a given that there is always a focus to the believer, but must there be a focus specifically to the unbeliever? Another question to be asked is should we at all make our primary goal the salvation of these lost souls in the Sunday gathering?

What does the Bible say?

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Here the book of Hebrews tells us something seemingly peculiar in our modern church environment. Yes we have the fellowship and all directed for the saints which is the right thing to do, but then we do more than that don’t we? Surely It’s not damning in itself, but what does the Bible say? I believe we should honor God’s Word more than we value our desires and burdens.

So then let us examine this text. First let us look at it in the context of having a church who focuses much with the unbeliever as with a believer, basically having a great mix of a congregation. The consequence of course is that you’ll have to broaden each and every message so it could be applicable to all…well, that’s another topic I guess. Anyway, the text, the text. To my hypothetical Pulpiteer advocating a heterogeneous church environment, in a sense, are you saying that it is possible that believers and unbelievers alike can “hold fast to the profession of their faith without wavering, considering one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting each other: and so much the more, as they see the day approaching?” Of course one would say that it is an outrageous thing to ask. But isn’t that the point?

Is it not the point of Church services and assemblies “the assembling of ourselves together?” Assembling of saints together exhorting one another, considering each other to provoke unto love and to good works? Outrageous would the claim be that this too is applicable to the unbelieving world is it not? Then why is it that men still continue to pursue such a thought? Why is it though having known this text people still endeavor to change what is to be by Scripture to what their hearts and minds desire? As all things that are in this ever so rising tide of infidelity it is because we think we know better. The oldest sin in the book.

How about 1 Cor 14:26?

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Cor 14:26)

We can by all means go through all the hypothetical situations and applications towards the unbelieving world but it is impossible, not to mention futile, to do what is instructed in both verses mentioned to that same unbelieving world.

Now, these passages mentioned may not be pointed enough for some. Let us then look at a more specific telling of Scripture.

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. (2 Cor 6:14-18)

Now isn’t that clear? Do I have to expound that text? Does it not mean what it says? “What portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” What business have we as men of God to fellowship with the unbelieving world? Yes, the Bible tells us that we are to be friends of sinners, but where in that same inspired text does it say that we can yoke ourselves together with them? No matter what our goals and motivation are this text says it the most plainly. I believe in the importance of evangelism, reaching out to the lost world, but first and foremost we must place our distinctions. The assembling together of the saints must be for the edification of the saints. There must be such a distinction of what it means to be sanctified, separated unto Christ that the unbelieving world would not fail to see. Then and there they will realize that there is a difference between the godly and the ungodly. There they will realize their sin in light of being of the world, and by the Spirit of God know the need of a Savior.

It is then no surprise to me that so many Churches today have so many ill fed sheep. They know so little about God because they have been told so little about Him. But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Rom 10:14) Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:17) How in the world can the saints know their God if modern Pulpiteers today see it more important to evangelize and fundamentally forget about the feeding of the sheep? No, they cannot hear, not because they can’t, because they won’t be told.

I believe it is the uttermost disrespect for a man to claim to be one called to be a Shepherd of sheep to give such disregard to what he is called to be caring for.ⁱ

Footnotes

1. I make no claims in this article of the total absence of evangelism in preaching. I am just pointing out what must be the primary distinctions and purposes of the Church Service, that is all. [↩]