Tending to Babes (Babies) in Christ – The work of Discipleship 1 Corinthians 4: 14-21

Babes in Christ are new believers who have come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the gospel message by faith. (Romans 1:16) They have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12) and have been born into the family of God.

Babes in Christ are characterized as rejoicing because their sins are forgiven.

1 John 2:12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

Babes in Christ need spiritual nourishment in order to grow to adulthood.

1 Peter 2:2  ² as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby,

Christians are commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to makes disciples - Matthew 28:18-20 

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go ^[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[b]Amen.

The work of Discipleship has to do with a Birthing and Raising Babes in Christ to adulthood so that they can in turn reproduce by birthing and raising babes of their own.

Babes or Babies must be:

·       Begotten into existence by the preaching of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, Acts 8:14-17, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Acts 4:4

·       Shown an example of how to follow Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1

·       Loved in gentleness.  I Thessalonians 2:7-8, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

·       Warned and Corrected. Galatians 6:1, Ezekiel 33:6-9

·       Taught the truth of scripture. Isaiah 28:10, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 4:2,