By FRANKLIN F. ELLIS
“ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones”
National Director— Child Evangelism Fellowship
of little children here, He does not mention any specific age. I believe this is significant. It should remind us that each child is an individual and develops as an individual. Thus there is no universal age of accountability when all children become responsible for their sin. Rather, each child passes that unseen moment according to .his own rate of maturity. When he is old enough to sin knowingly, to experience the conviction of the guilt of sin, to understand the simple plan of salvation, he is old enough to accept Christ as his per sonal Saviour. “ Are children capable of saving faith?” Turning once again to Matthew 18, we find that Jesus answers this question as clearly as the first. In verse 3, for example, He uses the faith of a child as a model for adults to follow. He says, “ Except ye be converted, and become as little children . . .” Again in verse 6, He refers to “ . . . these little ones which believe in me.” In Mark 10:13 we find that Jesus was “much displeased” and rebuked the disciples because they thought adults were more important than children. His answer was, “ Suffer [let] the little children come unto me . . .” These statements can mean only one thing: Jesus was convinced that little children could and should believe in Him. It is an interesting fact that many of the great spiritual leaders of the church have followed the teachings of Christ with regard to children. For instance, Charles Haddon Spur geon, often called the prince of preachers, once stated, “ A child of five, if clearly shown the way of salvation, could be saved just as well as any grown-up.” Spurgeon continues to testify in behalf of reaching children by saying, “ Those who accepted Christ in my church when they were young children made better Christians than those who accepted Christ when they were grown-up.” Many other leaders in the church bore similar testimony. But the validity of children’s faith is not only a matter of history; it is a matter of current importance. Some of our outstanding leaders in the church today are the product of child evangelism. Listen to just a few statements from present-day leaders: James E. Bennet, prominent Christian attorney from New York City, says, “ I cannot remember when I did not believe. I probably was about six years old when I acknowledged Christ as my Saviour.” Dr. William Culbertson, President of Moody Bible Institute, states, “ As nearly as I can set the date, I made my profession of faith in the Lord Jesus at the age of nine.” Dr. Stephen W. Paine, President of Houghton College, testifies, “ I was saved some time before the age of six.” At this point it seems needless to ask whether or not it is worth-while to reach children.
Why Evangelize Children? T WO men stood on the sidewalk in the residential section oi one oi our prominent American cities. They were watching a happy group of children as they romped playfully on the heavy green carpet of grass which covered the playground. The expression on the faces of the ¿wo men was in deep contrast to the light-hearted laughter of the youngsters as one of the men spoke to his companion. “We have done wonderful things for these boys and girls as far as recreation and education are concerned. But what of their spiritual welfare?” This question is one which should be asked by every Christian in the land and especially by pastors who have been called of God to lead His children in the vast program of evangelizing every creature —including the children. As a matter of fact, you should ask yourself the personal question, “What am I doing to evangelize the boys and girls of my community?” Before we can enter into any discussion of an evangelistic program among children, however, there are a few basic questions which we must answer. We must ask ourselves frankly such questions as “ Are children lost?” ; “ Are children capable of saving faith?” ; and “ Are results in child evan gelism really worth-while?” After all, our answers to these questions will determine whether or not we are interested in considering the various ways and means of reaching children with the gospel of Christ. Naturally, we will turn to the Word of God—the only infallible rule of faith and practice—for an answer to our questions. First of all, note what Jesus says in Matthew 18 about the lost condition of children. In verse 10 He begins, “ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones . . .” This warning regarding our attitude toward children is followed by two phrases, and by going directly to the second phrase you will get the force of what He is saying. He says, “ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones . . . for the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” This can mean only one thing: these little ones are lost. A second statement in the 14th verse of this chapter en forces the conclusion that Jesus meant to imply that children are lost and need to be evangelized. He says, “ It is not the will of your Father . . . in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Obviously anyone who perishes is lost. It is interesting and important that, although Jesus speaks
JUNE, 1 9 5 2
Page Eleven
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker