Youthful Conversions and Challenges in Faith Journey

Journey Home Really? Rejection Of Bible Authority Indoctrination Through Human Education Emotionalism Youth Conversions or Issues of Youthfulness

Journey Home Really? Youthful Conversions Many if not all of those depicted in the series were baptized at young ages; ranging from 10- 17 There is some good in youthful conversion The good in any conversion to Christ (Col 1:14 Cf Acts 8:39) Youthful conversions also help our young people to realize early the important of piety

Journey Home Really? Youthful Conversions However there are dangers, or at the very least, grave concerns regarding youthful conversions The commands of Christ must be kept (Rev 2:10 Cf Acts 21:13) The commitment to Christ must be understood (Lk 14:25-35; Matt 10:37) The prodigal son was at age when we could forsake his father (Lk 15:12-13) There is the commitment to stand for the truth (1 Pet 3:14-15) Marriage is typified (Eph 5:22-23; Rom 7:1-6; 2 Cor 11:2). This does not include the number of times Jesus uses marriage and even weddings to teach spiritual truths (Matt 22:1-14)...

Journey Home Really? Youthful Conversions The consequences of unfaithfulness and faithlessness are sure (2 Pet 2:21-22) The responsibilities of spiritual maturity are also evident (2 Pet 3:17-18) Flee youthful lust (2 Tim 2:22 Cf 1 Tim 4:12) Youthfulness cannot be an excuse for impropriety (1 Tim 4:12) The ministries of Jesus and John (Lk 3:22-21-23). Jn 6 months older. Remember Jesus when younger grew in wisdom and stature (Lk 2:41-*52). It was at the point where Jesus was led in the wilderness to be tempted of Satan (Matt 4) Many times we are concerned that if are children are not baptized they will lose the desire and urge to become Christians. If this were true, the Church would not have had Gentile converts!

Journey Home Really? Non-Christian Spouses This could also be another issue of youthfulness and in many regards ties into our previous point Youthful pride, arrogance, naiveness, and desire, cause young adults to make decisions void of spiritual maturity and reason, despite God s warnings The marrying of a Christian to a non-Christian is without Divine sanction There is authority to remain unmarried (1 Cor 7:8) There is authority to marry a Christian (1 Cor 7:39, 9:5) There is authority to remain married to a non- Christian (1 Cor 7:12-15)

Journey Home Really? Non-Christian Spouses What about a Christian marrying a non-Christian Generic authority regarding marriage does not negate specific authority regarding Christians relationships. The general tone of Scripture is for believers to marry those who share in their beliefs. Old Testament The Scriptures provide numerous examples of those who went outside the instruction of God (Gen 6:2; 24:3; Ex 34:14-17; Deut 7:1-5; Ezra 10:10- 11) . However, we would all admit that these examples were of those who were not following God s wisdom (Deut 7:3) *(1 Kings 11:1-8)

Journey Home Really? Non-Christian Spouses New Testament Jesus commanded His disciples to put the Kingdom of God first (Matt 6:33) (1 Cor 7:39) Paul says that Christian widows can marry but only in the Lord (2 Cor 6:14) In his second Corinthian letter, Paul the inspired apostle charged: Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers God has given warning (1 Cor 15:33-34) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Cor 15:33 KJV) Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. (1 Cor 15:33 NKJV) Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals. (1 Cor 15:33 NAS95) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. (1 Cor 15:33 ASV)

Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:1