One of the most serious problems with the churches, today, is what I call the principle of the “mixed multitude“. Throughout the Old Testament (which entails a host of eternally valid spiritual truths), God taught His people not to be admixed with the world. The New Testament, in many places, teaches exactly the same principle. For example, the Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 5:3-7), stated: “For I…have judged already…concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, …to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us….” Unsaved persons who demonstrate a sincere interest and willingness to inquire concerning Christ, in the midst and context of Christian meetings (services), SHOULD, according to Scripture, be allowed to VISIT such services. HOWEVER, if such persons thereafter CONTINUE in a state of unbelief, they must SOON (I do not say ‘immediately’) BE SHOWN TO THE DOOR. For, the continuing presence of unrepentant sinners amongst Christian gatherings is EVERYWHERE PROHIBITED IN SCRIPTURE. Just as the Spirit of Christ indwells Christian persons, the spirit of antichrist indwells unbelievers. And the Bible straightforwardly asks, “What FELLOWSHIP hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what COMMUNION hath light with darkness” (2 Cor. 6:14). The spirit of antichrist–whensoever that is ALLOWED to REMAIN amongst the Church, becomes a hindrance to the free movement and operation of the Spirit of God in the assembly. That is why, in practically every church, the preaching of the Word does not have complete liberty, nor do the people enjoy complete freedom in worship: because, there is spiritual conflict in the midst, as the direct result of the presence of a MIXED MULTITUDE. What is the message and meaning of the story, in Acts chapter 5, involving Ananias and his wife Sapphira? Peter didn’t kill those two, but God did. Consider the outcome: “And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accordin Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst [dared] no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)” (Acts 5:11-14). 1. Fear (of God) came upon everyone 2. The Church came into unity 3. Unbelievers did not join the Church 4. Yet, "multitudes" were still joining the Church, but......on their knees, repenting!
What prominent event occurred as the direct result of the great Revival in the time of Nehemiah?
"Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they SEPARATED from Israel ALL the MIXED MULTITUDE" (Neh. 13:3). When the sinners and the spectators are put OUT of the Church--just like Jesus did, God can then move: "And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, he said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth [out], he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose...." (Matt. 9:23-25).
“For I…have judged already…concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, …to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us….”
Unsaved persons who demonstrate a sincere interest and willingness to inquire concerning Christ, in the midst and context of Christian meetings (services), SHOULD, according to Scripture, be allowed to VISIT such services. HOWEVER, if such persons thereafter CONTINUE in a state of unbelief, they must SOON (I do not say ‘immediately’) BE SHOWN TO THE DOOR. For, the continuing presence of unrepentant sinners amongst Christian gatherings is EVERYWHERE PROHIBITED IN SCRIPTURE.
Just as the Spirit of Christ indwells Christian persons, the spirit of antichrist indwells unbelievers. And the Bible straightforwardly asks, “What FELLOWSHIP hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what COMMUNION hath light with darkness” (2 Cor. 6:14).
The spirit of antichrist–whensoever that is ALLOWED to REMAIN amongst the Church, becomes a hindrance to the free movement and operation of the Spirit of God in the assembly. That is why, in practically every church, the preaching of the Word does not have complete liberty, nor do the people enjoy complete freedom in worship: because, there is spiritual conflict in the midst, as the direct result of the presence of a MIXED MULTITUDE. What is the message and meaning of the story, in Acts chapter 5, involving Ananias and his wife Sapphira? Peter didn’t kill those two, but God did. Consider the outcome:
“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accordin Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst [dared] no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)” (Acts 5:11-14).
1. Fear (of God) came upon everyone
2. The Church came into unity
3. Unbelievers did not join the Church
4. Yet, "multitudes" were still joining the Church, but......on their knees, repenting!
What prominent event occurred as the direct result of the great Revival in the time of Nehemiah?
"Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they SEPARATED from Israel ALL the MIXED MULTITUDE" (Neh. 13:3).
When the sinners and the spectators are put OUT of the Church--just like Jesus did, God can then move:
"And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, he said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth [out], he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose...." (Matt. 9:23-25).