Baptism is frequently referred to as the gateway into the church. Jesus said, "I am the door." Breaking allegiance with the world and joining Christ's spiritual body on earth are most significant steps to the new believer. The Bible compares baptism to a marriage ceremony. Obeying the injunction, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," makes possible this union with Christ. The new believer is now following a new master. A whole new code of habits must replace the old habits of sin. We would not limit the power of God to do a quick work of grace in the life of the one who has made the decision to walk in the full light of truth, but good judgment tells us that these changes require more than just good intentions.
Although we do not wish to suggest that the new believer should go through a long period of probation, it is imperative, however, for him to have made a start in walking in the path of his new-found truth before he is baptized. There is need for caution in habits of diet, dress; and amusement. Present-day plans for evangelism often require that the evangelist and his associate workers who conduct an effort be stationed at another place before their new converts are really anchored in the church. A church has enough problems without taxing it with new members who are but half instructed in the faith they have accepted. Proper caution and thorough evangelism will save the church great disappointment and build up the good name of the evangelistic company. It is unwise to leave new believers without a worker or two who can help them at this critical stage in their experience. Too many new believers fail in their Christian life, not because of their insincerity in accepting the new faith, but because they do not receive proper help when they need it most. We must become more thorough at this point if we are to counteract our losses.
The Master Himself taught that the gospel net would gather both the good and the bad. After being brought into the fold, some will not remain true. With every precaution in evangelism, there will still be weaker elements to deal with. To wait until every test is made before accepting a person into church membership is not the way of the Master Evangelist. But in these last days too many have a background of careless living and altogether too few have developed enough spiritual backbone to stand firm when trial and test are brought to bear. It is all the more important, therefore, that we set up strong fortifications against the enemy. Workers are responsible for the development of new believers into strong Seventh-day Adventists. Unless the pastor who establishes these new people in the church is a genuine co-worker with those who have preceded him, lack of co-operation and sympathy may add to the problem of membership losses.
The tie among the Bible instructor, evangelist, and pastor should be a binding factor, for together these workers must produce and secure a lasting harvest of souls.
The talents of new converts must be discovered and utilized. Perhaps the Bible instructor is best fitted to give counsel on this point. Her special encouragement will help them to take an interest in the Sabbath school. This department of the church offers them a wonderful field for development. Again the Missionary Volunteer Society may enlist the gifts of youth and use them mightily for the upbuilding of God's work, and the missionary society and the Dorcas organization will suggest new fields of usefulness to adults.
Christian education is a doctrine of the church. Without a thorough indoctrination 'on this point of our faith, new converts will not be able to save their families for God today.
We cannot overwhelm them by urging sudden school changes and too heavy financial obligations on their part, but our failure at this state to enlist their interest in church school, academy, or college may forever rob us as workers of the right opportunity to save homes for the message. We are not just saving individuals ; we have families to consider. "Come out from among them" just as surely includes the children of new converts as the adults we have instructed.
The privilege and need of prayer is a most important lesson for the new believer to learn.
He now faces unusual tests, although in this first-love period he may be rejoicing in witnessing for Christ. Drastic changes have come into his life, and these often separate him from his loved ones and former friends. He now greatly needs the communion of the saints and their united prayers. He should be early introduced to the prayer meeting, Sand perhaps even before his baptism, be invited to take an active part.
It may be that he lives a distance from the church and may find it impossible to attend. Arrangements should then be made for believers in his community to band together for prayer and Bible study. They can be a tower of strength to him. We know of no other effort that yields such fruitage in establishing the new believer. We too often fail to arrange for such prayer groups for these babes in the message. Next month we shall continue with a discussion of those personal graces which aid the recent convert to the faith to help himself become a strong Christian and an active church member.
