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I've never heard a Christian believe this? If the worst scum on earth wanted to attend church and hear the pastor then I don't know any pastor who would turn them away. Now if they were there w/ an agenda to disrupt the service then of course they should be escorted out.
I hate to break it to you, but I'd be willing to bet there isn't a church in this world with over 50 people in it whose congregation is 100% believers. I don't know what church you go to, but I'd recommend finding another one if your pastor doesn't want to speak to non believers during their service. Not all sermons are catered to non believers of course but I don't know any pastor who would say please leave so I can only talk to the 'Christians'.
That's because you don't know the history of your own faith.
"The Bible records (Acts 19) that the Apostle Paul while visiting some people who were described as "disciples", established they had received the baptism of John for the repentance of sins but had not yet heard of or received the Holy Spirit. Further, from the second century it appears that baptisms were held only at certain times of year, indicating that periods of instruction were the rule rather than the exception. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes: "As the acceptance of Christianity involved belief in a body of doctrine and the observance of the Divine law ("teach, make disciples, scholars of them"; "teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you", Matthew 28:20 [see Great Commission]), it is clear that some sort of preliminary instruction must have been given to the converts." See also Council of Jerusalem. Justin Martyr, in his First Apology, cites instruction as occurring prior to baptism: As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated.
The "persuasion" would be carried out by the preaching of an evangelist; but since belief must precede baptism, the person concerned should be prepared spiritually to receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit through baptism. That person would receive the sign of the Cross and possibly aspersion with holy water from a minister, indicating their entry to the state of catechumen.
In the early church, catechumens were instructed (catechized) in the basic elements of the faith such as the Apostles' Creed, Lord's Prayer, and sacraments in preparation for baptism.[url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechesis#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGreen19961415-11][11][/url]
Catechumens were limited as to their attendance in formal services. As unbaptized, they could not actively take part in any service, for that was reserved for those baptized. One practice permitted them to remain in the first part of the mass, but even in the earliest centuries dismissed them before the Eucharist. Others had them entering through a side door, or observing from the side, from a gallery, or near the font; while it was not unknown to bar them from all services until baptized."
If the choice comes to agreeing with the practice of Christians who met and knew Jesus, and those that met and knew those who knew Him or some skinny jeans wearing guy 2000 years later who lisps and talks with his hands for 20 minutes following a 40 minute Brittany Spears concert, I'll take the former...thanks.
