Think of a new-born baby, umbilical cord still attached – abandoned in the center of a forest full of wild animals. Exposed to the elements, and unable to fend for or care for itself. Well – that’s exactly what happens when you lead someone to Christ, and then drop them! As the baby Christian’s spiritual “foster parent,” you have great responsibility to nurture the new born Christian to ensure he/she is established and on the best food and water, has shelter, and is protected from the elements.
Acts 2:41-42
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Hmmm. Did you get that part? Any question about what happened to the three thousand after they were saved? Nothing vague about that. When you, personally lead a person to Christ, then you, personally, are responsible. Yes, you will receive the soul winners crown at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but the responsibility does not end with your joy at the birth! Abandonment of spiritual babies, is one of the reasons for stunted growth, and future backsliding. It also stunts the growth of the church, because spiritual babies, are not ever matured enough to reproduce themselves.
THERE ARE SEVEN THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP THE BABY CHRISTIAN TO GROW SPIRITUALLY. THIS ALSO APPLIES IF YOU, GRACIOUS ONE, HAVE ADOPTED THE BABY OF ANOTHER BELIEVER.
1. Put a King James Bible directly into their hands. Remember – new born babies cannot even bring food to their own mouths. Write something personal on the dedication page, open the Bible and demonstrate its features.
2. Make sure the Bible has a good concordance and index, and it might also be a good idea to show the baby how to use the computer to search Bible verses. This is subjective, because the internet is overflowing with corruption and can potentially confuse, or even seduce the baby Christian.
3. Make sure you emphasize, that he can know he is 100% saved through God’s Word. Stress the “Three Fold Proof of the New Birth.”
4. Start him out right – not on junk food. Not force feeding, but make sure it is plentiful enough to sustain the baby until the next “feeding.” It’s important to make clear, that we are to be obedient to the Lord in all things.
5. Lead him to a New Testament church. Invite him to be your guest at your church! Take him with you, and sit with him. When the invitation is given, encourage him to go forward with you, and make public profession of his faith in Jesus Christ. Remember – babies can’t walk without help!
6. Encourage him to tell others about his new birth. Psalm 107:2 – “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”
7. Either teach him the basics of Bible doctrine, or get him enrolled in a “new believers class.” He will not be able to reproduce (witness) effectively, until he has a solid foundation. Some of the essentials include the Trinity of the Godhead, the deity of Christ, and the inerrancy and divine inspiration of the Bible. If you do not have a class for new believers near you, the studies on our Apologetics and Doctrines page are thorough, doctrinally sound, and may be used to give the new believer a solid foundation. You are free to print off and use any of those articles.
The Vine Vigil 