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Post by stillfocused on Nov 8, 2007 20:20:52 GMT -5
Whyare those who are new to followships and congregations or who have acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Lord labeled as babes ? And treated like babies ? What biblical references are there to back this up ?
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Post by giantsdodie on Nov 8, 2007 22:56:14 GMT -5
Well are you talking about new christians or those are are just new to certain fellowships. I could go join a new church but I would not be a babe...
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 9, 2007 10:21:22 GMT -5
I am speaking of those who a new to certain fellowships. I agree just because you are new to a fellowhship that you are not a babe. And for a while I have been wondering where the terminology and how this is determined according to the word of God.
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Post by anointed on Nov 9, 2007 10:43:11 GMT -5
I've really never seen those seasoned believers who join a new fellowship deemed as "babes." I often hear them acknowledged as "those joining the church by way of Christian experience." However, I don't think it is necessarily a problem to have Christians who aren't babes still go through the protocol of what the church believes, what they stand for, etc. Many churches, regardless if you are a babe or not, once you join you go through training classes before you are allowed to serve in any ministry capacity. Now I had a hard time dealing with this because it's like "I already know the basics of Christianity, gifts of the spirit, etc." However, the Spirit helped me to see that it's still good to submit myself to the protocol of that house. Maturity is manifested not only through what we know but how we submit. I now understand it's good just for everyone to go through protocol just to be sure that you understand what it means to serve in the church and outside the church. You might already know these things, but the new church you're joining don't know you like that. So it's all just a process. Now, I know some people (such as ministers) can join a church and not go through protocol (at least we don't think) because leadership might already know that individual's walk with the Lord. I've witnessed a new lady who the pastor had preaching the next Sunday after she appeared to know that bible during Wednesday bible study. Needless to say, that lady is no longer at the church and drops by every now and then. You can't just let people serve and not know whether they understand service, so protocol and instruction is important even if you think you know. It's just good to submit to the order of each church you enter into.
Stillfocused, I don't know if this is what you are talking about. But over and above, when you're the new kid on the block, you can't expect for everyone to treat you like you been hanging with them since childhood. But in no way should you be disrespected and treated any less than a human being. But sometimes, people just got to get to know ya!
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Post by giantsdodie on Nov 9, 2007 11:52:57 GMT -5
Agreed. My pastors who I was familiar with and who knew me before I joined the church, STILL had me go to membership class and beginners bible study and they were well aware I was not a " babe " in Christ.
They knew I was experienced in spiritual warfare, had a working knowledge of basic Christian doctrine, an experienced intercessor and flowing in the gifts of the Spirit.
YET it was wisdom for me to submit to their authority and it was wisdom for THEM not to allow their knowledge of an affinity toward a person to circumvent proper church protocol.
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Post by Beulah5 on Nov 9, 2007 11:58:37 GMT -5
Amen Giants that is pure wisdom. It is always good as well to have a refresher course on the basic elements of our faith as well.
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 9, 2007 13:54:57 GMT -5
All that is understood..yet, when they treat you like your a babe. The congregation I am part of now..I said nothing for more than 6 mths.. and I didn't have to open my mouth to tell them anything. What I am talking about is this..when you walk a fellowship and true, people don't know you..you don't expect them to. I will use myself when I moved to the state I live in it took 9 mths to find a church..when I did I begin to attend, paid my tithes, and did what I had to do..took the new members class and etc. You what I experienced this..and I was told by one woman that I had to be retrained..the basics understood..yet, I begin to treated like a baby who had no understanding of the word of God or had no relationship or .didn't own a Bible. Returning to the basics is always good..somethings need to be revisited. Let me rephrase the question ..why is it when someone comes into our fellowship do we take away their folk and knife and give them a baby bottle ?? Does anyone have biblical backup for this ?
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Post by kanyon on Nov 9, 2007 14:37:27 GMT -5
All that is understood..yet, when they treat you like your a babe. The congregation I am part of now..I said nothing for more than 6 mths.. and I didn't have to open my mouth to tell them anything. What I am talking about is this..when you walk a fellowship and true, people don't know you..you don't expect them to. I will use myself when I moved to the state I live in it took 9 mths to find a church..when I did I begin to attend, paid my tithes, and did what I had to do..took the new members class and etc. You what I experienced this..and I was told by one woman that I had to be retrained..the basics understood..yet, I begin to treated like a baby who had no understanding of the word of God or had no relationship or .didn't own a Bible. Returning to the basics is always good..somethings need to be revisited. Let me rephrase the question ..why is it when someone comes into our fellowship do we take away their folk and knife and give them a baby bottle ?? Does anyone have biblical backup for this ? Look for another church. Have a clear idea of your faith, position and expectations. Talk to members about their church and their vision and where they are in relation to that You will find a fit. |
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 9, 2007 14:43:12 GMT -5
Kanyon..that's great advice. We all know the solutions..yet, why do we call people babies or babes in the Lord ? The reason I asked the question is because sometimes we use terminology and say things that we really don't know what we do it. I can be very quiet at times and because of this..others have called treated as such..without really knowing why they did it.
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Post by anointed on Nov 9, 2007 15:49:18 GMT -5
I agree with Kanyon, you have to find your fit. In its most simplest definition a "babe" simply refers to a new convert, according to the word of God.
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Post by kanyon on Nov 9, 2007 18:16:39 GMT -5
Kanyon..that's great advice. We all know the solutions..yet, why do we call people babies or babes in the Lord ? The reason I asked the question is because sometimes we use terminology and say things that we really don't know what we do it. I can be very quiet at times and because of this..others have called treated as such..without really knowing why they did it. Bring Brother Weeks with you and...and... |
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 9, 2007 19:09:59 GMT -5
Kanyon wrote:Care to explain what that means ??!! 
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Post by kanyon on Nov 9, 2007 20:04:33 GMT -5
Just felling in an impish mood.
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Post by stillfocused on Nov 9, 2007 23:30:47 GMT -5
Yeah..I know !!
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Post by krazeeboi on Nov 13, 2007 23:08:46 GMT -5
As for the biblical concept itself...
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." (1 Cor. 3:1)
"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." (Heb. 5:13)
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." (1 Pet. 2:2)
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