As an avid door to door evangelist I find it very necessary to do a study on whether its biblical to minister door to door. Its either a yes or a not correct ? There is a verse in Luke 10:5-7 that says Dont go door to door and I want to know what that means. Here it is..... Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.---
So lets see who this son of peace and the son who is not of peace could be. I mean lets take this verse apart and find all we can about it.
In the Bible, Luke 10:6 says, "And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you". The term "peace" in the New Testament can have multiple meanings, including:
The absence of war or chaos , A good relationship between people, A right relationship with God or Christ,
An individual virtue or state, such as serenity or tranquility / end. So to me it sounds lilke a warm person who is a welcoming soul who is inviting the disciples in the home. The one who is not, well simply said , he is not welcoming you into their home and your " peace " should not be influenced by that persons no welcoming spirit.
Some people on the net have tried to say this verse means " do not preach from house to house " But obviously this is not what it means because the verse itself tells the disciple to " REMAIN IN SAME HOUSE " eating and drinking. Obviously the disciples were NOT there ONLY for food and drink. They have been sent on a mission from Jesus. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
There is no indication in scripture where one is to preach the gospel or not preach it. There is a reference in the bible not to waste your time with someone who doesnt want to hear the gospel.
I have encountered a verse that may shed just a bit of light on this mystery if I interpret it correctly-
(Luke 9:59–62). And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Could these passages give indication that this " house to house " mystery may have something to do with how serious and important it is not to stop at every house to eat and drink there ? Which if you think about it would take up a lot of valuable time. Its not necessary to eat and drink at every house. This may have everything to do with finding a " son of peace " where one can be trusted to allow the disciple to eat and drink there while the disciples preach to those in that " neighborhood " or " part of town ? Does this interpretation sound to uncertain ? I ask because the verse in question does say " dont go from house to house " but we must make sure we use that verse in proper context. I do know the bible does not give clear reason anywhere close to that verse to give us proper clarification of the intent of that narrative. Lets read over this verse....
Acts 5:42 And every day in the temple AND from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus./ Well straight up, this verse is as clear as a bell....well at least to me. How interesting the words " without let up " are included. That would indicate the importance of the narrative of " staying focused" on the mission at hand seems to be in Luke 10:5-7.
Here is a verse that gives instruction on what to do if a missionary comes to your house, and one that does not bring correct biblical information to hour house. Dont let them in and dont even with them well . BUT it indirectly says if they do bring correct information to allow them into your house.
2 John 1:9-11 KJV “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
What is this doctrine ? The imperative in 2 John 10-11 not to receive a visitor with a false doctrine into one's house is one of the most controversial prohibitions in the New Testament, especially in light of the commandment of love, ancient hospitality conventions, and modern-day expectations of open discussion. And by the way if you bid him " God Speed " you are just as guilty as he is partaking of his evil deeds ! This sounds serious ! So again " what is this doctrine " ? Verse 9 of 2 John 10 tells us .. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. It is the doctrine of Jesus ! Anything to do with Jesus that has been revealed in Scripture !
Acts 20:20. Here the apostle Paul speaks of going from house to house and publically, but in this case he is speaking of the elders of the churches in the town of Ephesus. This has nothing to do with disciples going from house to house.
Some people who say " people shouldnt bother others at their homes often will be heard saying " if someone wants to learn about God they can read about him on the net, radio sermon, go to church , turn on a Christian TV channel or read about it in the newspapers. Well I have heard this in my own experiences more than once ! In short let me share a passage that doesnt agree with this thinking. Romans 3:11 - There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God./ Do I need to say more ?

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, “And they [the twelve apostles and other disciples], continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness.” This scripture is describing people who ate together, just as someone might invite friends and close acquaintances to his home for a meal and fellowship. I can only intepret this verse to mean that the Apostles and disciples were sharing food with those who had created other disciples in the mission field. Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Go to this youtube page and see at the 4 min 50 second mark at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCCS2BZy8UU give the explanation of " house to house ".
All this study from scripture strongly suggests we are allowed to go house to house sharing the gospel and that " no door to door " verse must be interpreted in its proper context.
A letter from Livingwaters.com answering my question about Door to Door Ministry, is it biblical ?.... Hi Holland,
Thank you for writing. The last part of Luke 10:7 is not prohibiting door to door evangelism. Rather it is a follow-up order to the first part. In the first part of that verse Jesus instructs his disciples to “remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.” In other words, “Don’t go rushing off to the next house just because you don’t like the food provided in the first home that welcomes you.”
In Luke 10:5 we see that Jesus did in fact send them to go preach at people’s homes. And in Acts 5:42; 20:20 we see that the Apostles and disciples went from house to house teaching and preaching Christ.
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Interesting dialogue after posting one of my door to door excursions on Facebook. ( Im trying to compel other to share the gospel ). Two females came onto the thread. Interesting how they look at door to door ministry. However yes, everybody has a right to their opinion. These two never claimed to be Christian and its pretty obvious.
BP - I’d be careful out there knocking on doors. You need to also remember the golden rule. If you wouldn’t want someone knocking on your door, trying to convert you or share their religious beliefs, you probably ought to think twice before doing it to others. You might get some dogs let loose on you or the garden hose turned in your direction!
ME- where do you find it best to share the gospel with others?
BP- I don’t! I keep out of other people’s personal business. And I don’t care what they believe (or don’t believe).
ME- well being a Christ follower it's a mandate for me to share the gospel with every living creature. Mark 16:15. I am instructed by the God of the universe to get into other people's business. And because I love my neighbor as myself I do care about their eternal destiny. I am so very thankful that someone told me about Jesus.
BP- Ok! Do as you wish, but other religions also have similar “mandates”. As long as you are ok with others coming to your door to convert you to their religion, knock away!
ME- And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-
BP- trust me. Everyone on this planet has heard of Jesus already!
Have you heard of Buddha?
Mohammad? Lord Krishna?
Of course you have. But again , do what you want or what you feel compelled to do. You just have to be ready for any consequences.
You did not answer my question either . How would you feel if someone came knocking on your door and tried to convert you to another religion? You have to put yourself in other people’s shoes. “Do unto others, as you’d have done to you.” = the golden rule
ME- about your comment that everyone on the planet has heard about Jesus. Please refer to Matthew chapter 24 verse 14. Also I can convert no one. I share the good news and the evidence, God does the rest. I welcome anybody and everyone to show me what they believe and I'll do what the Bible says, test the spirits to see whether or not they are from God. I keep an open mind, and God says my people perish because of their lack of knowledge. Let me add one question for you please. What would happen to Christianity if everyone stopped sharing the gospel?
BP- christianity would go on like it is now!
You are talking about a book that was written thousands of years ago ! Before newspapers, television, radio, airplanes, the internet, etc….
Be careful and don’t get shot ! I’m sure you heard about those college kids who turned around in somebody’s driveway because they were lost and they were shot to death! They didn’t go to the door. They certainly didn’t knock. All they did was turn around in the guy’s driveway!
ME- How would Christianity continue if no one was to share the gospel ? Please share some details on that please. Those mediums you mentioned would disappear as well because they are operated by Christians as well. They dont operate by themselves. There are Christian missionaries who are in countries that dont have ( all those things you mentioned ) and they are risking imprisonment and their lives for doing so. The phrase "do not be afraid" or "fear not" appears in the Bible 365 times, one for each day of the year. There is no better glory than to die for the sake of Jesus, and there is also glory for suffering for his namesake should that ever happen. If you drove by a house and saw someone through their front bay window eating cheetos on a big bean bag watching tv having a relaxing evening but you also saw a fire in the kitchen behind him ( that he knew nothing about ), would you stop and knock on the door to alert him or would you wait for him to find out about it on TV, the internet, newspaper , radio etc ? Forgive me for saying so but I believe you either you dont believe in hell or you dont fear hell. IF you do, Im totally puzzled by your apathetic responses to the clear instruction God has given us to share the gospel whether we.... die doing it or not ( TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM HELL ) . Maybe sharing the gospel is not what your called to do, but dont try to deter somene from doing it. What exactly are you doing to forward the cause of Jesus Christ ? Do you even believe in Jesus and if so have you surrendered to Him ?
BP- are you saying that newspapers, radio, the internet, TV, etc… would disappear if no one (like you) shared the Christian gospel because all of the TV stations, newspapers, websites, etc… are created, owned and operated by Christians?
I’m not following. Because that’s definitely not true.
And I think it’s unreasonable to equate warning someone that their house is on fire with knocking on someone’s door to convert them (presumably). What if the dude eating Cheetos is trying to relax after going door to door going the same thing you just did? People have the right to quiet enjoyment of their homes. I would just be very careful!!!!
ME- Im saying those mediums of communication do not reach out and grab anyones attention. The bible says " none seeks after God " Spiritually dead I suppose. If thats the case why would anyone go to church, a relgious tv channel, etc. If someone such as Mr or Ms X doesnt want anyone on their doostep put out a no trespassing sign. One evangelist is not going to ruin their home sweet home status. You do know there were girl scouts going door to door, encyclopedia salesman doing the same, book dealers, vacuum cleaner dealers etc etc. Did they get the negative response evangelists get ? I am still studying on the door to door ministry matter in the bible.
BP- there aren’t any more door-to-door salespeople. Girl Scouts are very non-threatening! Number one because they are female. Secondly, they are children.
And they don’t really go door-to-door anymore either ! The no trespassing signs don’t work very well. The local police told us to keep calling them every time someone came to our door to talk to us about religion.
Again, people have a right to quiet enjoyment of their homes. That is a law and a fact. You just don’t know how you are going to be received.
ME - I appreciate your thoughts. --- at this point ( and before ) I was wasting my time .
------------- Below another one came out of the dark ----------
KJ- There are churches on nearly every corner, if someone wants to hear about your religion, they can attend. Others don't want religion forced on them. Some are too nice to dismiss you while you're making them incredibly uncomfortable. Just respect others and don't be pushy trying to force people to discuss things they don't want to. You think it's your right or your job as a Christian but others have the right not to participate as well. Spread your message to those whom want to hear it, in church.
ME- So what your saying is that I should only spread the gospel only in church ?
KJ- that's literally why they exist.... or discuss it with people that want to. Interrupting someone's day at home is disrespectful. If you weren't invited, leave people alone
ME- How do the unsaved KNOW to go to church to hear the gospel ? Romans 3:10-11 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.
KJ- I'm not Christian, I don't want you knocking on my door. I know I'm not alone in that. How about that.
ME- Do you have a no trespassing sign anywhere on your property ?
KJ- ok, harass people instead of being a decent human being.... exactly why I don't follow Christianity, because very few Christians are actually Christlike.
ME- Good morning. Im still waiting to hear the answer from you about how people know to go to church to hear the gospel of Jesus. Romans 3:10-11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God ( no one knows to go to church to seek God ). Luke 19:10 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. ( Jesus was seeking, mankind wasnt seeking him ). Romans 8:7 The carnal mind is enmity against God” ( why would a carnal mind even go to church if it is at war with God ) ? Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? So Kim Im still waiting on you to elaborate on how the mankind knows to run to church to hear the gospel ? If your claim is right the walls of the church should be exploding outward with people. And about your comment that you dont go to church because people there arent Christlike. Can you share some biblical support why anyone should not go to church ? Maybe you should go to church and show the people there how to be Christlike. Hebrews 10:25. But lets work on that another time, Im waiting to hear your answer on how people know to go to church to hear the gospel. Thank you !
note. that was the last, never heard from her again.

Notice Jesus knocks at our door, we dont knock at his... Revelation 3:20
King James Version
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.