20 Bible Verses for Welcoming Visitors

Throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, we see stories of warmth and hospitality and people welcoming others into their homes and into their churches. But the best example was shown by God Himself when He sent His only Son to die for our sins so He could welcome us into His kingdom—a demonstration of His great love for us. 

As followers of Jesus, we are to share this love. Our church and our homes are key places where we can share this love by welcoming visitors with kindness and enthusiasm. Lost people not only need to hear or read about God’s love, but equally important is that they feel and experience it through us.

Let us look at some Bible verses that will motivate us to welcome visitors. 

Welcoming visitors into the church

In most cases, a person’s first time attending a Christian church becomes the first step in encountering Jesus and starting a relationship with Him. So, from the time he steps in up to the time he leaves the church, it should be a precious, unforgettable experience of being welcomed into God’s family. 

Here are five Bible verses for welcoming visitors into the church:

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

This verse tells us that there should be no discrimination of people who come to our church. Young and old, male and female, whether they look like professionals and elite or are dressed plainly, they should be met warmly. They may belong to indigenous or other religious groups, but the Bible says we are one in Christ Jesus so everybody is welcome to enter the doors of our church. Then, throughout the worship service, we should help them get rid of the awkward feeling of being new so they might instead feel at home and enjoy the glorious fellowship with believers.

Matthew 5:46-48 

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

For some, it may be hard to welcome people who are not like us. Sometimes it is easier to welcome only fellow Christians. But Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and as Christians, we should allow God to use us to pursue this goal. This verse tells us that if we love only those who are good, it makes us no different from the rest, and we cannot expect a reward from heaven. 

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Here is another verse that tells us that sinners are welcome in the house of God. Before He breathed His last on Calvary, Jesus assured the repentant criminal who hung on the cross next to Him that he would be with Him in paradise that day. This is such a great way to show us that the gift of salvation is available to all, and anyone who comes to Him is welcome to enter the Kingdom of God.

Luke 9:11

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

When Jesus walked on earth, great multitudes followed Him. He welcomed all of them and preached the Good News of Salvation to them, healing the sick and raising the dead. In a church setting, people may come with various needs, and some of them probably come out of curiosity. Some may be sick, others may be hurting, and still others could be in financial distress. Whatever their reason, the invitation comes from God for all to come to Him. And as His servants, our task is to usher these people into a transformed life with Jesus. 

Acts 15:4

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

This verse is about Christians welcoming fellow Christians into their church. It was the time when Paul, Barnabas, and other companions visited the church in Jerusalem, where they were received warmly by the elders. Giving a warm welcome to missionaries and other workers – and serving and praying for them – can do a lot to encourage and strengthen them. They need this support to continue their calling to preach the Good News to many lost people.

Welcoming visitors into your home

In our everyday lives, occasionally or more often, people come to visit us at home either upon our invitation or at their own initiative. They may come with a need, visit you to make friends, or simply want to maintain your bond of friendship.

Whatever the circumstance, this home visit is God’s appointed time for you to be a blessing and for Him to accomplish His divine purpose through you. Therefore, people who visit your home should have a memorable time experiencing God’s unconditional love, no matter how modest your house may be or how little you can share.

Here are five Bible verses for welcoming visitors to our home:

Luke 10:38-42

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Martha and Mary may have different ways of receiving Jesus into their home, but both were a good example of hospitality for our Lord and His disciples. For us, we may or may not be able to offer anything to our visitors, but what matters is that we show them we are happy to see them, and our door is open for them. If we had invited them, we should let them feel that the visit is worth their time and that they may leave the house feeling blessed with God’s abundant love.

1 Peter 4:8-10

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

The Bible teaches us to be loving and hospitable to all and to use our gifts to serve others. We may have visitors who are not yet believers. Some may have undesirable traits, talk too much, act impolitely, or even show some arrogance. But this verse tells us to be patient and not complain. After all, Jesus has been patient with us. 

Romans 15:7

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

This is another verse that says we should be like Christ, Who loves us unconditionally. In the same way, we should accept not only those who are good and kind to us but all of God’s children. Loving the unlovable is a distinguishing mark of a disciple of Jesus. 

Matthew 10:40

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

These were the words of Jesus when He was sending out His disciples. He told them that they represent Him, so if anyone welcomes them, that person is welcoming Him as well. In our present day, there could be times when Christian workers may have to visit or stay in our homes for a time. On such occasions, Jesus is telling us to welcome them as if we were welcoming Him and serve them like we are serving Him.

Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

This verse teaches us the value of service to others, that those who serve and show compassion toward the least of their brothers and sisters actually do the same to Him, and that they will be blessed and rewarded. Some people may come to us with heavy hearts. Some may have experienced rejection in their lives. Some may be grieving from a loss. These are people who need God’s special touch. Our home provides a place where this need could be met. Sometimes, they might just need someone to listen; in this case, we should allow them to talk and assure them that God hears them.

Conclusion

Our Lord commands us to love other people as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). One fundamental way to show this love is by welcoming them into our own homes and our churches with genuine kindness and hospitality. In the Bible, we find verses that show us that welcoming and accepting one another is what God desires for His children. 

Meeting visitors is a crucial moment in bringing souls to Jesus. It can either cause lost people to turn away or be led toward a new life in Christ. Here are ten more Bible verses that you can check on this topic to encourage and guide you in this important role as a Christian.

Genesis 18:1-8

And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

Matthew 25:35-36

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Acts 16:15

And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Acts 28:2

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Romans 12:13

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Ephesians 2:19

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God

1 Timothy 5:10

Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

1 Timothy 3:2

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach

Titus 1:8

But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate

3 John 1:5-8

5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.