Christian Worship Service is for Christians

In apostolic and early church times, the church was open in the sense that you could accidentally wander in (cf. 1 Cor 14:23; James 2:2-4), and in the sense that the services were not secret as they were, for example, in the mystery religions. But the meeting was pure in the sense that it was for Christians only, as they ministered praise to God and love to one another. Practicing membership was restricted to those who had undergone catechesis of some sort. Unbelievers generally stayed clear; they avoided church for the same reason they avoided Christ – because it was light and their deeds were evil.

After Constantine, the evil ones not only came into the assemblies, they were forced into the church, and it was no longer pure. This was, in appearabnce, nothing less than the forcible, political, rape of Christ’s virgin bride and the major impetus to monasticism for those fleeing the corruption.

Todd