Making Disciples
All Christians preach the word because we are commanded to do so, and becaquse we are excited when the seed falls in good soil, and one is converted. Therefore we water and work, while we give glory to God for giving the increase, it is an exciting time to play a small part in someone's conversion.
But don't stop teaching at someone's baptism, for the second part of the great commission is "teaching them to observe all things I commanded", Matthew 28:20. Think of a mother who gives birth to a baby and then fails to feed him. The baby will die, and the mother be charged with neglect or infanticide. A babe in Christ needs to grow on the pure milk of the word, 1 Peter 2:2. It is our responsibility that this babe grows spiritually.
We may think it is the preacher's job to study with a new convert, but Ephesians 4:11-16 says the preacher is responsible to edify the saints for the work of ministry, for edifying itself. If everyone things it is everybody else's job, nothing will get done, so take the bull by the horn, and it will help you grow too, who has prepared.
“...teaching them to observe all things I command...”
What do we teach a new convert? If you study with them strictly on putting off the old man and putting on the new, they may see the "thou shalt not" as a list of rules. Like the Corinthians whom Paul wrote to and said, "your affections (for the world) are holding you back (from the blessings God has in store), you are not restricted by us (apostles' doctrine)" (2 Corinthians 6:12). First give them a taste of God's love for them that they might increase in faith and put their trust in God. Then, any part of God's teaching will not seem foreign to a new convert, but they will love to do God's will.
1 John 5:3-4 says God's commands are not burdensome to us (they are actually good for mankind). We must get a new convert to this level of thinking. A good spiritual barometer for us all, including the new convert, is "to add to our faith, virtue," etc, 2 Peter 1:5-11 and an entrance into heaven will be abundantly supplied. So take a new convert on a journey in the OT, and explain that God has a plan and show the fruition of that plan in them, Galatians 3:26-27. They will have a chance at greater faith and love for what god has done for them before telling them what to put off, and they can then add virture to their faith. In another good lesson, Jesus contrasts the Pharisee who had Him for a meal to a woman who came to wash Jesus' feet with her hair and tears. In Luke 7:44-47, Jesus explained to the Pharisee that this woman loved me more than you did, which prompted her to do great things for Jesus, because I have forgiven her of more sins. The Pharisee thought he didn't need Jesus very much. We see that if we take our sin situation seriously and grieve we will love Jesus more and do great things for Him.
So don't be afraid, set up a time to study with the new convert you had a part in influencing to obey the gospel and teach them all things that Jesus commands.
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Answering The Atheist
The Atheist's Complaint:
Will everyone see the majesty of God? Isaiah 40:5 says that everyone will, but Isaiah 26:10 says that the wicked will not. Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Indeed, Isaiah 26:10 reveals that the wicked will not see the majesty of God. Though God has revealed His grace to all, the wicked refuse to learn righteousness (see also Titus 2:11-12). As a result, the prophet stated that the wicked "...will not behold the majesty of the LORD." They will not be partakers of the wonderful things which God has in store for those who will love and serve Him faithfully.
Isaiah 40:5 is referenced in Luke 3:4-6. It is a text that addresses the preparation ministry of John the Baptist for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Where Isaiah says, "...the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together...", Luke paraphrases, "...all flesh shall see the salvation of God." The text simply reveals that the coming of the Messiah was for all, whether Jew or Gentile.
It is the questioner who has equated the majesty of Isaiah 40:5 with the glory of Isaiah 26:10. They are two distinct Hebrew (and English) words, used in two separate contexts, concerning different things. One is about the coming of a Saviour, and the other is about the receipt of good from the Lord, whether in this life or in eternity.
There is no contradiction.
Majesty - Heb. qe'uwth
excellent things, lifting up, majesty, pride, proudly, raging (Strong's)
Glory - Heb. kabowd
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness :- glorious(ly), glory, honour(able) (Strong's)
This article is in response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible.