© 11 Colin Melbourne
From New Born to Mature Christian
Firstly; to become a Christian You must be born again.
Secondly; Once you are a Christian you must next Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in order to; be an effective witness for Christ, overcome temptation, and fulfil the works God has prepared for you to do.
The New Birth, then the Power Baptism
They are the basics, but what comes next?
Simple, you grow up in Christ.
Just as a human baby is born helpless and immature, and then grows rapidly; so a new born Christian needs to grow quickly and mature spiritually. 1 Pe. 2:2 KJV says;
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Here, the Holy Spirit uses consumption of physical nutrients as a metaphor. The “sincere milk” He refers to are the teachings of the New Covenant word of God.
Paul confirms this in rebuking the immaturity of the Corinthian believers. 1 Co. 3:1-2 KJV;
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Hebrews 5:12 continues in a similar vein;
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
And then indicates what the “milk” of elementary teachings are in Heb. 6:1-2, they include; repentance from dead works, unbelief and sin, faith in Christ, doctrines of baptisms (did you know there are seven baptisms in the Bible), healing, anointing, and prophecy, by laying on of hands, and the resurrection and judgment to come.
The strong meat, or solid food, they were not ready for is the teaching about righteousness. Heb. 5:13-14 KJV;
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Oh Halleluia! This is such a profound scripture, and explains so much to us doesn’t it?
Here we see why immature rebellious false-Christians fall into the snares of sin.
It’s why phoney “Christians” backslide.
It tells us why denominational churches, who don’t teach the milk of elementary Bible teachings, are withered on the vine.
And vitally, it shows us what we must do to Grow in Christ; and, more importantly, how to grow.
Are You Eating the Right Christian Food?
© 11 Colin Melbourne