Reclaiming Backsliders
Guard Against Apostasy—Care should be exercised to educate
the young converts. They are not to be left to themselves, to be led
away by false presentations, to walk in a false way. Let the watchmen
be constantly on guard, lest souls shall be beguiled by soft words
and fair speech and sophistry. Teach faithfully all that Christ has
commanded. Everyone who receives Christ is to be trained to act some
part in the great work to be accomplished in our world.—
Letter 279,
1905
.
Cause for Backsliding by New Members—Upon all new con-
verts should be impressed the truth that abiding knowledge can be
gained only by earnest labor and persevering study. As a rule, those
who are converted to the truth we preach have not previously been
diligent students of the Scriptures; for in the popular churches there is
little real study of the Word of God. The people look to the ministers
to search the Scriptures for them and to explain what they teach.
Many accept the truth without digging down deep to understand
its foundation principles; and when it is opposed, they forget the
arguments and evidences that sustain it. They have been led to believe
the truth, but have not been fully instructed as to what truth is, or
carried forward from point to point in the knowledge of Christ. Too
often their piety degenerates into a form, and when the appeals that
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first aroused them are no longer heard, they become spiritually dead.—
Gospel Workers, 368
(1915).
Dealing With Backsliders—Those who are sent by God to do a
special work will be called to rebuke heresies and errors. They should
exercise Bible charity toward all men, presenting the truth as it is in
Jesus. Some will be most earnest and zealous in their resistance to the
truth; but while their faults must be exposed unflinchingly and their evil
practices condemned, long-suffering, patience, and forbearance must
be exercised toward them. “And of some have compassion, making
a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire;
hating even the garments spotted by the flesh.”
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