Speculum et Lavacrum

~2 John 1:10 :: Does This Passage Prohibit Believers From Inviting “Cultists” Into Their House?

The use of 2 John 1:10 as a prohibition of inviting Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses in to one’s house commits an anachronistic fallacy.

First, I would like to present the historical context for this passage, to whom John is writing to, the text itself, and then practical application for us today.

2 John 2:10
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting…”

False teachers who were influenced by the beginnings of Gnostic thought were threatening the church (v.7; cf. 1 John 2:18, 19, 22, 23; 4:1-3). While 1 John has no specific individual or church specified to whom it was addressed, 2 John has a particular local group or house-church in mind (v.1).

The focus of 2 John is that the false teachers were conducting an itinerant ministry among John’s congregations, seeking to make converts from John’s congregations, and taking advantage of Christian Hospitality by residing in their houses to advance their cause (vv. 10, 11; cf. Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9). The individual addressed in the greeting inadvertently or unwisely may have shown these false prophets hospitality, or John may have feared that the false teachers would attempt to take advantage of her kindness (vv. 10, 11). The apostle warns his readers against showing hospitality (hospitality in the sense of helping them in their endeavors) to such deceivers (vv. 10,11).” (see- The MacArthur Bible Commentary p.1970)

This traveling teacher who comes is coming not to an individual home but to address the church as a whole, there was no central church building where believers could congregate. Rather, small house-churches were scattered throughout the city (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 12:12; Rom. 16:15; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col 4:15; Philem. 2). The use of specific church buildings did not appear before the end of the second century (see- How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer VIDEO). And the ‘greeting’ is either an official church greeting, or a way that could be misconstrued and give an appearance of endorsement of this doctrine and would thus encourage the false teacher in their error. (see- Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem pp.880-881; The Epistle of John by John R.W. Stott pp. 212-215)

Therefore, 2 John 10 does not prohibit Christians from allowing cultists into their home in order to witness to them. Rather, it is a prohibition and warning to the leaders of these house-churches against giving false teachers a platform from which to teach false doctrine or supporting them in anyway in their endeavors. In this way, this prohibition guards the purity of the church. Christians are not to let false teachers use their homes as a base of operations from which to spread their poison or to allow them to remain in the church. (see- Correcting the Cults by Dr. Norman Geisler p.302)

In conclusion, to take 2 John 10 as merely saying that we should not let Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses into our house would be to take this verse Prima Facie which is not hermeneutically correct in this context and I contend that it would be to commit Reductio ad Absurdum. I say this because if we were to truly take “…If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching…” Prima Facie this would include: Hindus, Skeptics, Atheists, Roman Catholics, Hare-Krishna, Spiritists, Satanists, Christian Scientists, Wiccans, Secular Humanists, Baha’i, Scientologists, Seventh Day Adventists, Moonies, Anthroposophists, Astrologists, Christadelphians, Eckankarists, Kabbalists, Masons, Muslims, Buddhists, Occultists, Oneness Pentecostalists, Raelians, Religious Scientists, Rosicrucianists, Theosophists, etc etc. This would reduce down to anyone who is not a Christian, including any family member or friend, for only the true believer brings the true doctrine. This would contradict the practice of being a light in the world as were Jesus and the disciples (vv. Matt 9:10; Gal 2:12, 14). This would also contradict the plain teaching of Scripture in where we’re to evangelize the lost, love our enemies (Rom. 12:20 “but if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.) The Bible clearly teaches that there is to be a separation of the believer to the world and to not partake in the things of this world or those things of the flesh (vv. Jn. 15:19; 17:11ff. Gal 5:19f.) but this in no way means that we’re not permitted to be a witness to those whom do not believe in our own homes be it in word or deed. When the Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses come to our door, the occasion should be viewed as a mission on our doorstep and as a fulfillment of 1 Peter 3:15 “…always be ready to give a defense (‘apologia’ ‘an apologetic‘) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” and Jude 3-4. That is why God calls and places individuals to defend the gospel (vv. Phil 1:7, 17) in the body of Christ who can prepare and equip (v. Eph. 4:11) the body for such encounters.

However, lets give the benefit of the doubt and say that this specific passage is prohibiting individual believers, a concept foreign to the Old and New Testaments, this does not prohibit Christians from evangelizing the cults. What do I mean? This verse, if taken prima facie only says not to invite them into your house. This doesn’t not mean, however that one couldn’t meet the Mormon Missionaries at another location in order to talk. Therefore, I end this with an exhortation to make disciples and contend earnestly for the faith…