Follow-up Of New Convert
III John 4; Acts 15:36, 41; 18:11; 20:17-32

The Holy Spirit is the greatest One to follow up. And you can be sure He does follow up each convert. This does not mean however that a soul winner should not do all he can to help a new convert become established and grow. But it is a real comfort to know that those met on planes and trains whom we may never meet again will be cared for by the Holy Spirit. Who followed up the Ethiopian in Acts 8? No man, for God took Philip away from him immediately after he was saved. No one followed up the woman in John 4. She left immediately and witnessed.

Immediately after a person has received Christ, if time permits the soul winner should explain a few basic truths. Some of these are: the difference between relationship and fellowship (I John 1:3-7); confession and cleansing of sin (I John 1:8-10; 1 Cor. 11:31, 32); faith, works and rewards (Eph. 2:8-10; I Cot. 3:11-15); and how to be filled with the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit (Eph. 5: 17, 18; I John 5:14, 15; Gal. 5:16; Col. 2:6).

If another Christian is nearby, get the new Christian to tell him what he has done right away. This is very strengthening and a great blessing to the new Christian and to the one told. The next important step would be for him to confess Christ publicly (Matt. 10:32). Confession before a church congregation always brings great blessing. Taking him to a good Bible-believing church to make his confession also leads him to a place where he can be helped to grow and makes the church take the responsibility for caring for him further (Heb. 10:25). The church then should have a new converts' class or some definite plan of instruction to help new Christians.

A vital step in growth is for new converts to be baptized (Matt. 28:20; Acts 16:33). This is part of the Great Commission and a first step of obedience.

The point is well taken that one would not give birth to a baby and abandon it, but there are times when one must leave a new Christian in the hands of the Holy Spirit to follow up. It is also true that a fireman does not rescue one man from a burning building and train him to be a fireman before he tries to rescue another. The obviously correct procedure is both to rescue and train fervently.