In the mission field it is often necessary for the one sent on God's errands to examine candidates for baptism who have been prepared by inexperienced workers and lay preachers. These have done their best, often with excellent results. But prebaptismal questioning reveals the fact that care is necessary in preparing new believers for the sacred rite. In questioning many of the applicants, I have found that they understood the subject of the state of the dead when it was presented, but later they relapsed into the fallacious teachings of early years, at least partially. With a little help these sincere converts can be corrected, and fortified against the insidious "fifth column" attacks of spiritism. Although it is not given to us to read perfectly the human heart, as with an X ray, the experience of the apostles shows that it is possible to reach a very high standard in the winning of souls, even in heathen lands. We should always heed the following words of counsel:
"There is need of a more thorough preparation on the part of candidates for baptism. They are in need of more faithful instruction than has usually been given them."—"Testimonies," Vol VI, p. 91.
It requires divine guidance and the gift of wise discretion to question a convert and ascertain whether he is indeed ready to enter the watery grave, or should he advised to prepare himself more fully first. Too many unconverted, uninstructed ones have been hastily approved and accepted for church membership. It is not enough merely to go through the summary of doctrines. Often, either in public or in private, clear answers may be given to all the questions, and solemn promises may even be made. However, a short season of testing after baptism often reveals the sad fact that the applicant was far from prepared. This brings reproach upon the cause of truth. Therefore, let the candidate be interrogated in the most kindly, sympathetic, tactful. encouraging, and yet thorough manner. He should be questioned concerning both his knowledge and his personal experience.
1. The Candidates's Knowledge.—In these days of cunning apostasy, a candidate for baptism should know that Jesus Christ is indeed God, coequal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, with life original, unborrowed, and underived, existing from everlasting to everlasting, the one and only Saviour and Redeemer of mankind. Sometimes in our eagerness to emphasize present truth, we neglect the blessed teachings concerning the person of Christ. Let the convert see Jesus in every doctrine. All are vital. No phase of His life and work should be neglected. The upper division of prophecy is difficult for many. By : the rudiments should be clearly understood.
Although one may not be able to demonstrate the proof of the 2300 clays, the sincere believer will feel the conviction that we are now living in the solemn time of the judgment in the courts above, that the end of probation is near, that Jesus is coming soon. He should know that man is a mortal candidate for immortality through Christ. He should understand that there is indeed the Spirit of prophecy in Israel today. With limited translations in the mission field, the convert should be taught to cherish the flashes of light from the divine Source that appear from time to time in the lucid notes of the Sabbath school lessons, the quotations and articles from the pen of Mrs. White in the local church paper, the Week of Prayer. readings, and such few books as have been published in the vernacular. The candidate should know that we are not justified by works. This is often a difficult subject, though it is, in reality, the acme of simplicity. He should also know the true meaning of the rite of baptism.
There are some candidates in the mission field who are well indoctrinated, but who know little of the body of the Scriptures. The Bible Year is rather strong meat for such at first. But they should be required to read the easier portions of Scripture. They ought to know who built the ark, who killed the giant, and who it was that was thrown into the lions' den. This is true especially of the younger candidates. I am holding off one applicant now until his bright, earnest little wife teaches him more Bible stories, and until he makes a start at least in learning to read. He was quite perturbed when I insisted that he learn to read books in his own dialect. But I explained that it was not the reading in itself that was so important, but the need of his having such a thirst for the truth that he could not rest until he was learning to read for himself. In his case it is no unreasonable demand. Doubtless later he will be very thankful. In this practical way some fundamental knowledge should be insisted upon.
2. Candidate's Personal Experience.—He must be fully converted, having experienced the new birth, not trying to serve two masters.
Sometimes this is difficult to ascertain. Such a question as, "Why are you applying for baptism?" might elicit an enlightening reply. The motive may be merely to please father, mother, teacher, or pastor.
It must be known that the one seeking baptism is living a life of obedience, uprightness, and purity. He must know what it is to pray, both in secret and in the home circle. He must be a man of integrity in business. The matter of possible indebtedness should be inquired into. One young man in a baptismal class looked very serious when he confessed having a debt, but it proved to be only twenty centavos (ten cents). The leader was thankful for his conscientiousness even in this small matter. Great care should be exercised in making sure that there has been complete victory over petty lying, verbal cannibalism, jesting, quarreling, and worldliness. Health reform must be accepted and practiced. Cleanliness must be the rule of life. The moral life must be above reproach.
Although we should not take a suspicious attitude, neither should too much be taken for granted. One couple were baptized, and everyone supposed that they were above reproach. They passed the examination with credit, but later it was learned that they were not legally married. They themselves, living in this land of marital laxity, did not know that it was wrong for true lovers merely to accept each other. But as soon as they were informed that this was not right, they immediately repented and were duly married. Strange things sometimes happen in mission lands. The examiner thereafter was more careful to question the converts. Certain wrong habits and customs must be definitely given up. One of these is the practice of engaged persons' living in the same house before marriage.
Finally, the minister should refer the matter of approval of the candidates to the local church or company. The members often have an extremely faint sense of responsibility in accepting new members. The workers should lay these matters upon their hearts. Too often they are anxious to let the worker bear all the responsibility. But they respond to inspiring, direct appeals of the true leader. Thus the work of the Saviour will prosper. The true minister of God will always heed the following counsel:
"The principles of the Christian life should be made plain to those who have newly come to the truth. None can depend upon their profession of faith as proof that they have a saving connection with Christ. We are not only to say, "I believe,' but to practice the truth. It is by conformity to the will of God in our words, our deportment, our character, that we prove our connection with Him."—Id., pp. 91, 92
