Babe in Christ

According to Scripture,what are the characteristics of a christian who is a "babe in Christ?"

In Christ
Jeff

rookie wrote:
According to Scripture,what are the characteristics of a christian who is a "babe in Christ?"

In Christ
Jeff

What I could find, Jeff:

[color=993300] Hebrews 5:5. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8. Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10. Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12. 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.
13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14. 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.

1 Peter 2:1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.[/color]

Blessings,

Forrest

Sis quoted:

11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

The writer of Hebrews attributes "dull of hearing" to those who are babes in Christ.

Anyone have an idea on what the writer means by "dull of hearing?"

In Christ
Jeff

Sis also quoted from Peter...

2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

How is "dull of hearing" and the exhortation of Peter, "desire the SINCERE milk of the word," connected?

In Christ
Jeff

Dull of hearing.

I believe it's referring to the hearing of the voice of God. Throughout Acts, numerous believers, not just the Apostles, heard the voice of God.(Acts 9:10 "Now there was a disciple at Damascus named [b]Ananias;[/b] and [u]the Lord said to him[/u] in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord.") This was unlike the Old Covenant. Someone would have to go to a prophet to learn of God's will.

Now, we read Scripture and follow His Spirit.

'Babe' in Christ is just that. Needs to be trained and helped. After time, the 'child in Christ' grows and can be 'self-sufficent' or 'self-substaining'.

Now by 'self' I do NOT mean 100% 'self' because it's ALL through His Spirit that we truly GROW in Him. But His Spirit works through others when we are young, weither they are leading a bible study or just being a personal mentor. After time when someone is 'mature in Christ' they will dig deep in the Word, pray for others, and help the 'new babes in Christ'.

It's an awesome circular theme, the Lord has designed. Praise the Good Father of Heaven! 8-)

lovegrace wrote:

I believe it's referring to the hearing of the voice of God. Throughout Acts, numerous believers, not just the Apostles, heard the voice of God.(Acts 9:10 "Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord.") This was unlike the Old Covenant. Someone would have to go to a prophet to learn of God's will.

Have you ever considered what this section of Scripture teaches...it is similar to what you said above...

Job 33:

14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

Throughout Scripture, we find that God speaks in these ways to man.

Now, we read Scripture and follow His Spirit.

How does God enable us to "follow His Spirit."

God Bless
In Christ
Jeff

Brother Christopher wrote:

These I personally feel are relevant to this topic, Although you know them, they are good no matter how many times heard.

I would like to make this distinction on the Scripture you point to...

As a father, there was a time where my children were totally dependent on me and my wife for there well being. They believed everything we said. We were their all in all. Now as they have grown older, they also see our shortcomings. We are no longer perfect in their eyes.

When Jesus spoke of the nature of a child like faith, He was speaking to this idea of how a child sees his father and mother and believes everything that the parents tell them.

So it is that we should all submit in the same way. Yet Scripture also teaches that a "babe in Christ" lives in a condition of life where he or she has not learned to follow the Spirit. This attribute is pointed to in Hebrews as being "dull of hearing."

Does that make sense?

In Christ
Jeff

Hebrews 5:

13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14. 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.

Dull of hearing and being unskilled "in the word of righteousness" go together. How?

In Christ
Jeff

Brother Chistopher wrote:

My common sense tells me, if one is dull of hearing, one has not matured into the ways of the spirit yet, so are still unskilled because the spirit has not yet to reveal all unrighteousness and righteous truths.

Hbr 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
Hbr 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

In this diagnosis found in Hebrews, one who uses the word of righteousness in their daily life will be given the ability to discern what is of God and what is of Satan.

Peter exhorts us...

1Pe 2:1 THEREFORE, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
1Pe 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby;

All of the qualities found in verse 1: malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and evil speaking find it's source in Satan's dominion.

In verse 2, we are encouraged to "desire the pure milk of the word" which will enables us to "grow" spiritually.

As we feed on the Scriptures, the Spirit of God will reveal to us the intents of our heart, either convicting or confirming that these intentions are of Satan or God. "By reason of use," our ears are opened to the hearing of God's voice. Our ears as "babes in Christ" have not been exercised in this way.

God Bless
In Christ
Jeff

Paul also teaches us about those who are 'babes in Christ."

1Cr 3:1 AND I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
1Cr 3:2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
1Cr 3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Like the attributes mentioned by Peter, we find that there exists the same attributes spoken of here in Paul's epistle to the Corinthian church. Again we see mentioned here in Scripture that many members of the Corinthian church are still in captivity to manifestations of envy, strife, and division. They are not able to discern the evil. They have not grown, but remain tossed to and fro by the manifestations that Satan has grown in their flesh. They have not desired the pure milk of the word. They have not grown spiritually. Paul states that they have remained dependent on their old ways and not the ways of God. We see that Scripture states that babes in Christ are carnally influenced and thus afflicted by this bondage.

In Christ
Jeff

Is. 7:13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. 15 Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings.

We often see this section of Scripture fulfilled in the birth of Christ. Yet there is more, much more to this than a one time event. There comes understanding in the ways of God and man.

Have you ever meditated on what this Scripture means to man...

15 Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good.

What does this say of man's position in the spiritual world?

In Christ
Jeff

How does God enable one to ....

"know to refuse the evil and choose the good."

In Christ
Jeff

brother wrote:

the Spirit of truth, also the Spirit of God.

By what means does God provide for man to recognize His Spirit, His truth?

In Christ
Jeff

It is more than the blood, for the blood reconciles us to God.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

His word gives to us the Life that saves. The power of His word renews us daily, transforming and conforming us into the image of His Son...

God Bless
Jeff

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

This is all that we are in Christ and all that the Holy Spirit does in and through us.

All that is done is Christ, that is, new life, born again in Christ, All that we are as son's, having Christ in you the Hope of Glory, New Mind of Christ, being a new creation, being an heir with Christ to our Heavenly Father's Kingdom, seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus. When it is expressed as done, it is the Spirit of Christ.

When it is expressed as being done or doing or will do, It is the Holy Spirit working in the new creature, that is the Body Of Christ His Church.

The Holy Spirit is not the Spirit of Christ. In the making of a son, God has planned to put new life in him by the Spirit of Christ, Teaching him how to be a son is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit, The CEO is God the Father, for it is His Plan, in the working out of that plan it is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit with individual working in their individual departments of the God Head, One God in three Person's doing and completing the original Plan of God the Father which was planned before the foundation of the world. "Let us make man in (Our) image".

All that is complete, or "finished", The Spirit of Christ in you.
All that is working in that which is complete is the Holy Spirit.
All that is of the Plan Is God the Father.

Romans 8:1-39 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Christ: Phillip

Brother Chris wrote:

I agree, although I need the blood to enter into the Spirit, and the Spirit to make the word come alive in my life, and empower me to achieve it.

Absolutely, God's provision is free to all who enter in. I did not mean to diminish the value of the blood.

As a babe in Christ these provisions are freely given. Yet there still remains a work that God does in each individual. The precepts of this work is defined by Scripture. The purpose of the work is to teach each believer what is good and to reject what is evil.

We find that Scripture teaches about those who have not found the treasure that exists in the word of God. These believers still remain in bondage to the ways of the 'old man."

This is what I have begun to focus on here in this thread.

God Bless
In Christ
Jeff

Brother Phillip wrote:

All that is complete, or "finished", The Spirit of Christ in you.
All that is working in that which is complete is the Holy Spirit.
All that is of the Plan Is God the Father.

Has a babe in Christ, according to Scripture, learned how to follow the Spirit?

In Christ
Jeff

A babe in Christ is taught by the Same Holy Spirit to learn how to follow Him, that is now His Life, That is the Person of Christ.

Jhn 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Rom 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Rom 6:4 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.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Who's life do you have? Who is the teacher of that Life? Who learns the babe in Christ to come to the knowledge of Christ?

The babe in Christ will learn to follow Christ by the only One that can teach Him, that is the Holy Spirit sent by God the Father by the Prayer of Jesus Christ who knew that no man could come to the knowledge of the Kingdom of God without Him, the Teacher of all things that pertain to life in Christ.

Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

'All that is of the Plan Is God the Father."

The Answer to your question: "Has a babe in Christ, according to Scripture, learned how to follow the Spirit?"

Yes. Or: Jhn 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Phl 3:15 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.

We all have a measure given us, and we will come to that measure, it is of God.

2Cr 10:13 But we will not boast of things without [our] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

In Christ: Phillip

The measure of a man is not what he is but who Christ is and what measure He has given to a man, that he might be who Christ measures him to be.

The measure of Paul: Acts 26:15-18 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Paul sanctified by the Faith that is in Christ which is now in Paul by being born again by the Incorruptable Seed the Father birthed in Paul.

In Christ: Phillip

Brother Phillip wrote:

The Answer to your question: "Has a babe in Christ, according to Scripture, learned how to follow the Spirit?"

Yes. Or: Jhn 12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

Paul teaches this about babes in Christ...

1Cr 3:1 ¶ And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ.

2 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.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

According to Paul's teaching, babes in Christ, have not learned to follow the Spirit. The outward evidence of their walk is still mired in the ways of the carnal man.

What do you think about the what Paul states here in Scripture?

In Christ
Jeff

Notice they are still in Christ and God is not through with them. They will grow according to the measure of Christ God has given them. That is all that Paul is saying to these babes. Do you think God is through with them or is giving up because He has made a mistake about them?

In Christ: Phillip

Brother Phillip wrote:

Notice they are still in Christ and God is not through with them.

Why would Paul need to sternly correct these babes in Christ?

In Christ
jeff

Why would a father sternly correct His wayward children?

Especially when it is stern correction in suffering for wrong doing that leads to repentance and obedience. How did Jesus learn obedience without suffering for wrong, for their was not sin found in Him and did not need to repent.

There is a difference when Christ is born again in us, it is then His righteousness that invades our being and He being made our righteousness brings us to repentance and obedience.

In Christ: Phillip

Brother Phillip wrote:

Especially when it is stern correction in suffering for wrong doing that leads to repentance and obedience.

You see we are given an example where Paul had to correct the children, the babes in Christ. God uses men in this way throughout Scripture because the wayward child is not listening to the Father.

If the babe in Christ was listening to the Spirit, Paul would not have been led by the Holy Spirit to correct the Corinthian church.

Paul states clearly that these babes in Christ are not obeying the Spirit. The Corinthian church is just one example. The church in Ephesus is another example. Timothy was sent because of the backslidden nature of the Ephesian church.

What do you think?

In Christ
Jeff