In my early years I did not have people tell me that I did not actually get saved at three years of age. But of course, I did not know many people who knew what it meant to be saved. Then again how do you tell a little child that he does not really know Jesus, when that child knows that he knows Jesus?
In recent years I have had more than my fair share of doubters and critics, who say that a child that young cannot get saved; that a child that age cannot understand enough about salvation. I cannot help it that they were either slow in hearing God call them, or slow in answering God. But He called me, I heard Him, and He saved me. Then He called me to be a preacher when I was three years old. All of my children got saved between the ages of two and four. I can't remember, but I think all of my grandchildren believed on Christ before they were six years old. Maybe David, Mark, Lydia, and Joanna will remind me.
After we get saved, we must cleave to (continue in) the Lord (Acts 11:23), continue in the grace of God (Acts 13:43), continue in the faith (Acts 14:22).
As partakers of Divine nature, we must diligently add to our faith, virtue (goodness) and knowledge and self control and patience and godliness (God likeness) and brotherly kindness and perfect love (2 Pe. 1:4-7).
As God's children, we must build ourselves up in the most holy faith and keep ourselves in the love of God (Jd. 1:20-21).
It is possible to sin after we get saved, but it is also possible to go on to perfection (He. 6:1), but we need to grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pe. 3:17-18).
We must move beyond the basic principles of Christ (He. 6:1-2), including...
Repentance from dead works.
Faith in Christ.
Baptisms, such as Baptism...With Holy Spirit (Mk. 1:8; Ac. 1:5); Of commitment (Mt. 3:6-8), Of suffering and persecution (Mt. 20:22-23), Of death to self (Ro. 6:3-5; Co. 2:12; 1Pe. 3:21).
Laying on of hands.
Resurrection of the dead.
Eternal judgement.
Children can and should learn these truths early in life, but then they should be led into perfection;
Of love (Mt. 5:48);
Of commitment (Mt.19:21);
In praise (Mt. 21:16);
Of unity with God and the body of Christ (Jn. 17:23; 2 Co.13:11);
In the will of God (Ro. 12:2);
In the mind of Christ (1 Co. 2:6; Ph. 3:15);
In following Christ (Co. 4:12; He. 13:20-21).
PASSAGES...
We Must Continue
In the Lord
Acts 11:23
(23) Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
In the Grace of God
Acts 13:43
(43) Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
In the Faith
Acts 14:22
(22) 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.
We Must Diligently Add To Our Faith
2 Peter 1:4-7
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
(6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
We Must Build Ourselves And Keep Ourselves
Jude 1:20-21
(20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
(21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
We Must Go On To Perfection
Hebrews 6:1
(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
We Must Grow In Grace And Knowledge
2 Peter 3:17-18
(17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
(18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
We Must Move Beyond Basic Principles
Hebrews 6:1-2
(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
(2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Various Baptisms
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Mark 1:8
(8) I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 1:5
(5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Baptism of Repentance and Commitment
Matthew 3:6-8
(6) And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
(7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
(8) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Baptism of Suffering and Persecution
Matthew 20:22-23
(22) But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
(23) And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Baptism of Death to Self (Old Man)
Romans 6:3-5
(3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
(4) 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.
(5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Colossians 2:12
(12) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1 Peter 3:21
(21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
We Must be Led into Perfection
Perfection of Love
Matthew 5:48
(48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Perfection of Commitment
Matthew 19:21
(21) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Perfection in Praise
Matthew 21:16
(16) And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Perfection of Unity with God and the Body of Christ
John 17:23
(23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
2 Corinthians 13:11
(11) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Perfection in the Will of God
Romans 12:2
(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Perfection in the Mind of Christ
1 Corinthians 2:6
(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
Philippians 3:15
(15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Perfection in Following Christ
Colossians 4:12
(12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Hebrews 13:20-21
(20) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
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