Preparation for Baptism
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. 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. Whenever one renounces sin, which is the transgression of the law, his
life will be brought into conformity to the law, into perfect obedience. This
is the work of the Holy Spirit. The light of the word carefully studied, the
voice of conscience, the strivings of the Spirit, produce in the heart genuine
love for Christ, who gave Himself a whole sacrifice to redeem the whole
person, body, soul, and spirit. And love is manifested in obedience.
The line of
demarcation will be plain and distinct between those who love God and keep His
commandments, and those who love Him not and disregard His precepts. Faithful
Christian men and women should have an intense interest to bring the convicted
soul to a correct knowledge of righteousness in Christ Jesus. If any have allowed
the desire for selfish indulgence to become supreme in their life, the
faithful believers should watch for these souls as they that must give
an account. They
must not neglect the faithful, tender, loving instruction so essential to the
young converts that there may be no halfhearted work. The very first
experience should be right. Satan does not
want anyone to see the necessity of an entire surrender to God. When the
soul fails to make this surrender, sin is not forsaken; the appetites and
passions are striving for the mastery; temptations confuse the conscience, so
that true conversion does not take place. If all had a sense of
the conflict
which each soul must wage with satanic agencies that are seeking to ensnare, entice,
and deceive, there would be much more diligent labor for those who are young in the
faith. These souls,
left to themselves, are often tempted and do not discern the evil of the
temptation. Let them feel that it is their privilege to solicit counsel. Let them seek
the society of those who can help them. Through association with those who
love and fear God they will receive strength. Our conversation
with these souls should be of a spiritual, encouraging character. The
Lord marks the conflicts of every weak, doubting, struggling one, and He will
help all who call upon Him. They will see heaven open before
them, and angels
of God descending and ascending the ladder of shining brightness which
they are trying to climb. The Parents’
Work. Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a
work to do, both
in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their children.
Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough
understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance
upon a new life in Christ Jesus. There should be no undue haste to receive
the ordinance. Let both parents and children count the cost. In consenting to
the baptism of their children, parents sacredly pledge themselves to be faithful
stewards over these children, to guide them in their character building. They
pledge themselves to guard with special interest these lambs of the flock,
that they may not dishonor the faith they profess. Religious
instruction should be given to children from their earliest years. It should be
given, not in a condemnatory spirit, but in a cheerful, happy spirit. Mothers need to
be on the watch constantly, lest temptation shall come to the children in such
a form as not to be recognized by them. The parents are to guard their children
with wise, pleasant instruction. As the very best friends of these
inexperienced ones, they should help them in the
work of overcoming, for it means everything to them to be
victorious. They
should consider that their own dear children who are seeking to do right are
younger members of the Lord’s family, and they should feel an intense interest
in helping them to make straight paths in the King’s highwayof obedience.
With loving interest they should teach them day by day what it means to be
children of God and to yield the will in obedience to Him. Teach
them that
obedience to God involves obedience to their parents. This must be a daily, hourly
work. Parents, watch, watch and pray, and make your children your companions. When the
happiest period of their life has come, and they in their hearts love Jesus and
wish to be baptized, then deal faithfully with them. Before they receive the
ordinance, ask them if it is to be their first purpose in life to work
for God. Then
tell them how to begin. It is the first lessons that mean so much. In simplicity
teach them how to do their first service for God. Make the work as easy to be
understood as possible. Explain what it means to give up self to the Lord, to do
just as His word directs, under the counsel of Christian parents. After faithful
labor, if you are satisfied that your children understand the meaning of
conversion and baptism, and are truly converted, let them be baptized.
But, I repeat, first of all prepare yourselves to act as faithful shepherds in
guiding their inexperienced feet in the narrow way of obedience. God must work in
the parents that they may give to their children a right example, in
love, courtesy, and Christian humility, and in an entire giving up of self to
Christ. If you consent to the baptism of your children and then leave them to
do as they choose, feeling no special duty to keep their feet in the straight
path, you yourselves are responsible if they lose faith and courage and interest in the truth. The Pastor’s
Work. Candidates who have grown to manhood and
womanhood should
understand their duty better than do the younger ones; but the pastor
of the church has a duty to do for these souls. Have they wrong habits and
practices? It is the duty of the pastor to have special meetings with them. Give them
Bible readings, converse and pray with them, and plainly show the claims
of the Lord upon them. Read to them the teaching of the Bible in regard to
conversion. Show what is the fruit of conversion, the evidence that they love God.
Show that true conversion is a change of heart, of thoughts and purposes. Evil
habits are to be given up. The sins of evil-speaking, of jealousy, of disobedience,
are to be put away. A warfare must be waged against every evil trait of
character. Then the believing one can understandingly take to himself the promise:
“Ask, and it shall be given you.” Matthew 7:7.
Written by
Testimonies
for the Church
Volume Six
Ellen G. White
1901
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