I have always wondered about a preacher who proclaims the Gospel during weekly services, where 90 percent or more of the audience already consists of church members, instead of going out and looking for unbelievers in public places, as did John the Baptizer, Jesus, Peter, Philip, Paul, and others.
I did find a Bible passage that seems to suggest visitors were welcomed to the church's weekly gathering. Paul says, however, if, not when this occurs.
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” (1 Corinthians 14:22-25 NIV).
What should we conclude from these verses (and others)? Was one of the early church's purposes to invite guests into their meetings to see them converted?