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time to read the Scriptures with a new The Mistake
believer over a cup of coffee? Some may get the idea that the responsi-
The Solemn Charge bility for the well-being and development
of these new converts rests entirely on the
The Example elders, but we would suggest that this is
When Paul traveled to Thessalonica and far from the truth. If you were to take the
saw a local assembly established, he was time to examine the “one another” passag-
working amongst people in a pagan soci- es in the New Testament, you would find
ety, much like what happens today. They enough exhortations to keep you busy
“turned to God from idols to serve the the rest of your earthly days! The work
living and true God” (1Th 1:9). This was of loving, greeting, serving, teaching,
not the only place where Paul dealt with comforting and edifying one another is a
people who had no knowledge of God, mutual responsibility, and this certainly
but notice the character of his care: We extends to the new converts with which
“have been gentle in the midst of you, as God has entrusted us.
a nurse would cherish her own children” The Meetings
(2:7 JND). Just try to imagine how often If God in His kindness has given us new
and how fervently he prayed for them, converts, let’s remember that they need to
not only while still with them but after hear basic truths. We are not suggesting
he had to leave the city. We would expect that every teaching session of the local
that Paul would have had to deal with assembly needs to be brought down to
them patiently as he taught them simple a very simple level, but at the same time
truths they had never heard before. He, there may likely be those amongst us who
along with Silas and Timothy, assumed don’t even know how to find the book
the responsibility for the growth and well- you may be reading from, let alone un-
being of these new believers. derstand the terminology you are using.
The Exhortation Remember what the Lord told John: “Feed
Paul is about to head home to heaven, my lambs.” Can we ensure that there is
and as he thinks of coming generations, some spiritual food that is digestible for
he gives Timothy several charges, includ- new believers?
ing the need to work with younger men: Consistent Sharing
“And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses, the same commit Your Heart
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to Remember what Asaph wrote about
teach others also” (2Ti 2:2). Timothy had David: “So he fed them according to the
learned the sacred Scriptures from his integrity of his heart; and guided them by
mother and grandmother, and then later the skilfulness of his hands” (Psa 78:72).
from Paul himself (1:5; 3:15), and now The love of God that has been shed abroad
Timothy had to have his eyes on others in our hearts (Rom 5:5) will extend to
who were younger than him. Do we have others as well, as John well explains in
our eyes open? his first epistle: “My little children, let us
not love in word, neither in tongue; but
The Congregation of the in deed and in truth” (1Jn 3:18). John may
Saints have material needs particularly in mind,
Continued on p. 158
154 TRUTH kTidings May 2025