ESTABLISHING NEW CHRISTIANS

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

The moment a person trusts Christ as their Saviour, they are born again—a newborn babe in Christ. As a child of God, they receive all the rights and privileges associated with being “in Christ.” But just like a new baby, they don’t even know what they have been given…or how vulnerable they are. Satan immediately works to undermine a new Christian’s confidence in the gospel, in the promises of God, and in their decision to trust Christ. He tempts them to think that their old life was better and that it is impossible to live for Christ. He sends false teachers to draw them into cult teachings.

Every new Christian needs to be confirmed—that is, to be established. They need someone to care enough to give them spiritual encouragement, support, instruction, and grounding.

If we only lead people to Christ, but we do not help strengthen them in the faith, we are not fulfilling all of the Great Commission.

So just how do we confirm people?

What does the process of biblical growth look like?

Why do new Christians need to be established in their faith?

Today, we’ll look at how to leave a newly-saved Christian with assurance of salvation, how to lead them in Christian growth, and how to help them come full circle in being able to lead others to Christ.

I. Early Instruction

A. Assurance of Salvation

D.L. Moody said that he had never known a good soul winner who was not sure of their own salvation.

The moment a person is saved, they receive the gift of eternal life. But Satan also begins working to undermine their faith.

As mentioned previously, it’s not uncommon for a new Christian to experience confusion or doubt early on—sometimes right after the soulwinner leaves, sometimes later.

I can’t give assurance of salvation, I can lead them to have assurance in their salvation.

I can give them verses, but just like salvation they must believe.

1. God promises to save all who call upon Him for salvation.

After the person prays, I ask them if they did just sincerely call on the Lord from their heart. When they answer that they have, I draw their attention back to Romans 10:13, and I point out that it doesn’t say, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord might be saved,” but “shall be saved.”

God promises to save those who call on Him. And Titus 1:2 tells us that God “cannot lie.” Thus, we have the assurance of His Word that when we call out to Him for salvation, He gives it.

Romans 10:13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2. Eternal life is forever.

Additionally, I direct the new Christian’s attention back to the end of Romans 6:23: “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” I point out that God promised to give them the gift of eternal life—which, by definition, lasts forever. He won’t ever take that gift back. It is a gift, and it is eternal.

Romans 6:23

…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 10:28-29

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Ephesians 1:13

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

John 3:36 KJV 1900

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

This is a once-and-for-all, eternally-binding seal.

3. Being born again makes you part of God’s family.

One of the ways Satan works to stir doubt in the heart of a new Christian is by bringing accusations to their mind when they sin after they are saved.

I try to cut this tactic off by telling them ahead of time that there will be times they sin, but that doesn’t make them any less God’s child than their own children cease to be theirs because of something they do wrong.

We talk about the importance of restoring fellowship with the Lord after we sin by confessing the sin to Him an asking Him for His cleansing.

John 3:3 KJV 1900

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Galatians 3:26 KJV 1900

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

1 John 3:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

John 6:37

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

1 John 2:1

….And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

B. Baptism

Baptism is one of the first steps of obedience for a Christian. It’s given in the Great Commission even before the instruction, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you….” When I explain baptism to a new Christian, I’m careful to emphasize that being baptized is in no way part of being saved. It is simply publicly identifying with the Lord and His church.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:…

1. Baptism is an identification.

When I explain baptism to a new Christian, I’m careful to emphasize that being baptized is in no way part of being saved. It is simply publicly identifying with the Lord and His church.

Use the illustration of a wedding ring...it doesn’t make me married it is a symbol of my marriage.

Romans 6:3-4

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism also identifies the believer with a local church and it’s doctrine. In the New Testament when someone was baptized they were added to the local church.

Acts 2:41-42

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

2. Baptism is for every Christian.

Acts 8:36-38

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

3. Baptism should be by immersion.

The word baptize means “to plunge or dunk.”

Baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

4. Baptism should take place soon after salvation.

Acts 16:31-33

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

C. Bible Reading and Prayer

One of the most exciting things about salvation is that it not only gives a home in heaven someday, but we can have a relationhip with God-here an now!

A relationship requires communication, and in our relationship with God, communication takes place through Bible reading and prayer.

A good place to start is with the gospel of Mark or John.

D. Church Attendance

The local church was established by Jesus Christ Himself, and He loves it so much that He gave Himself for it.

Ephesians 5:25 “25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

End 7/27/25

II. Nurturing Growth

Just like a newborn baby needs family and friends to help it along, so does the new Christian.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

The local church provides a place for nurture and growth.

A. Fellowship and Hospitality

The local church is to be more than a place where people come sing a few songs, shake hands, hear a sermon and leave. It is to be a place where believers encourage one another in spiritual growth.

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Acts 2:42

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1 Timothy 3:2

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

Romans 12:13

….given to hospitality.

1 Peter 4:9

Use hospitality one to another…

B. Church Involvement

3 John 4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

C. Discipleship

Biblically speaking, a disciple is a committed follower of Christ, and discipleship is a life-long process of growth.

John 8:31–32 KJV 1900

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

3 John 4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Discipleship is more than a weekly meeting; it is a process of spiritual maturity that is produced through hearing preaching, developing a devotional life, being in a Sunday school or adult Bible class, and growing relationships in the local church.

III. Committed to Multiplication

The Word of God is clear that the gospel doesn’t end with receiving it, it is designed to be passed on to others.

One has said: “a soulwinner is really just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”

The woman at the well after she had heard the good news, went to tell others.

John 4:28-29

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

It is clear that receiving the gospel includes spreading the gospel to others.

1 Thessalonians 1:8

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

It’s not just addition, but leads to multiplication.

Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:47

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 5:14

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Acts 6:1

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied,…

Acts 6:7

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 9:31

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Notice from that first group the Word of God was multiplied to almost that entire region.

Bro. Paul Gentry once told me that story of a lady that he led to the Lord in a convenience store parking lot(I think that was the place), the next day she wanted him to come over to her house and talk to her husband. He got saved and within the next few weeks they kept calling Paul and getting him to come back to their house and tell someone else how to be saved.

Over the course of a few months he had led 28 people to the Lord from that family and some of the family members had begun to share the gospel with other family member and they received Christ as Saviour also.

A. Intentional Involvement

1. Encourage a new Christian to invite others to church.

Newly saved people usually have lost friends. Before they feel comfortable sharing the gospel, they can begin to invite their friends to church.

2. Invite a new Christian to go soulwinning with you.

3. Offer to help a new Christian share the gospel with friends and relatives.

Offer to go with a new convert to share the gospel with his friends.

B. Private Prayer

Often we pray more for a person to be saved than we do after they have been saved.

This is not true in the Bible. The apostle Paul wrote much about his prayer for the the saints of God.

Ephesians 1:16

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Philippians 1:4

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

Colossians 1:3

We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

1 Thessalonians 1:2

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

Philemon 4

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

Speaking of prayer for new converts, missionary J.O. Fraser said, “Just as a plant may die for lack of watering, so may a genuine work of God die and rot for lack of prayer.”

If you want to see the person you led to the Lord continue growing in grace and become fruitful in their witness, don’t neglect to pray for them.

Convicted me over those that were saved at the fair. Maybe we should start a prayer list with the names of those that were saved...?

C. Faithful Testimony

The greatest gift you can give a new Christian is a good example.

One of the most discouraging things for a Christian(new or otherwise) is for a once faithful Christian to become unfaithful in church attendance or soulwinning.

I cannot tell you how many came by one of our booths at the fairs and said, “I knew you would be here”. Many stopped by in Martinsville looking for Bro. Paul and were disappionted not to see him although they understood once they were told of his declining health.

People expect a Christian to remain faithful.

1. Remain faithful as a Christian.

Determine now that you will finish the course that God has given you to follow.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2. Remain faithful as a soulwinner.

Keep telling people about Jesus Christ. Keep telling your grandchildren, your friends, your coworkers and others about the free gift of eternal life.

Conclusion:

Is your church attendance, devotional life, prayer life, ministry involvement, daily life and encouragement for other believers?

“We cannot tell someone about the Jesus way until we have a Jesus heart.”

Am I faithful?

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