Seite 309 - Evangelism (1946)

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Responsibility of Spiritual Laymen to New Converts
Church Patiently to Help New Converts—Those who have
newly come to the faith should be patiently and tenderly dealt with,
and it is the duty of the older members of the church to devise ways
and means to provide help and sympathy and instruction for those who
have conscientiously withdrawn from other churches for the truth’s
sake, and thus cut themselves off from the pastoral labor to which they
have been accustomed. The church has a special responsibility laid
upon her to attend to these souls who have followed the first rays of
light they have received; and if the members of the church neglect this
duty, they will be unfaithful to the trust that God has given them.—
The
Review and Herald, April 28, 1896
.
Watchful Attention and Encouragement—After individuals
have been converted to the truth, they need to be looked after. The zeal
of many ministers seems to fail as soon as a measure of success attends
their efforts. They do not realize that these newly converted ones need
nursing,—watchful attention, help, and encouragement. These should
not be left alone, a prey to Satan’s most powerful temptations; they
need to be educated in regard to their duties, to be kindly dealt with,
to be led along, and to be visited and prayed with. These souls need
the meat apportioned to every man in due season.
No wonder that some become discouraged, linger by the way, and
are left for wolves to devour. Satan is upon the track of all. He sends
his agents forth to gather back to his ranks the souls he has lost. There
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should be more fathers and mothers to take these babes in the truth to
their hearts, and to encourage them and pray for them, that their faith
be not confused.
Preaching is a small part of the work to be done for the salvation of
souls. God’s Spirit convicts sinners of the truth, and He places them in
the arms of the church. The ministers may do their part, but they can
never perform the work that the church should do. God requires His
church to nurse those who are young in faith and experience, to go to
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