To Our Young People

Dear Friends:

We have another question to answer. Kindly excuse the brevity of this answer because we have considered this question in a previous article. Therefore, since we are receiving questions on this same subject repeatedly, we shall endeavor to answer it as punctually and briefly as possible.

The question is this: May a baptized member, who is unconverted, make confession of faith and become a member?

In the first place, we solemnly warn every one against making a confession of faith in a light and unconcerned manner. That must certainly be strongly emphasized in this age. It is, indeed, a most solemn matter. Nevertheless, we may not withdraw ourselves from the church. For, remember this well, everyone who does not make a confession of faith withdraws himself from the church. Young friends, the Lord has permitted you to be born and baptized in His church. Through baptism you have become a baptized member of the church. Now, understand this well, you are a member of the church already since your parents have taken that great responsibility upon themselves. However, you are not to continue as a baptized member. According to your age you have become responsible yourself; thus, your parents are no longer held accountable.

The appointed means has now been opened to you to make a profession of religion. There are but two ways. The one way is to break from the church and make no confession of faith whereupon God’s displeasure shall rest. The other way is to walk according to the Word of God and make a profession of religion, confirming the bonds which the Lord has established in that you were born under the sound of the truth or in the church. The regeneration of the soul is the act or work of God. We are not Methodists who urge unregenerated persons to perform an act which they are unable to explain. Neither do we support or encourage anyone to think that it is proper or pleasing that man is an unregenerate creature. Every person is in need of regeneration, and everyone is in duty bound to inquire after it; that is most certain.

Just because we are not regenerated, we may not offer that as a ground or reason for not making a profession of religion. History proves that those who insist upon a perfect church, that is, a church of all converted or regenerated persons, end in bitter disappointment, and the present-day doctrine of the three covenants is a false doctrine. To insist upon or to demand something of a person who makes a confession of faith, especially a promise to attend the Lord’s Supper, is definitely in conflict with the doctrines of the Reformation which are founded upon the Word of God. In the church, that is, in the visible church, there is chaff and wheat, and no one has any right to change this. In that great day God the Lord will, indeed, separate the sheep from the goats.

However, do not forget the very first thing, which is the urgent necessity of making confession. Oh, my friends, do not wait until you are married or until your child should be baptized to make confession. Young men and young women, if you reach the age of twenty, then attend earnestly and faithfully the class for Confession of Faith conducted by either the minister or an elder. I repeat it, dear young friends, may it become a most serious matter in your life. Also, when you have made confession, remember and consider well that it is not sufficient or enough for you to be an outward member of the church. We must, as Hellenbroek teaches, examine ourselves whether we are a living member thereof. My dear young friends, cleave fast unto the Truth. There are many who have been favored to reach the age at which they should make confession of faith, but, alas, they follow the common course and neglect it. Oh, submit yourselves obediently unto the Truth; surrender yourselves freely and willingly unto the Truth. May the Lord bless it and grant that many who read these lines may be brought to a serious consideration of this subject; may it become a matter of prayer. Is there prayer also among our inquirers?

Our reply is again longer than we had expected. However, if it is not yet clear to you, I shall gladly correspond with you personally.

How does the case stand with you, my young friends? Is there any prayer for the operation of the Spirit of God upon your soul? How seldom we hear of that in our present day. May the Lord bind the Truth upon your heart and grant grace with true humility. May you also be enabled to beg of the Lord that He might grant His Holy Spirit unto His servants, to the extent that our young people may be awakened to an earnest inquiry for the Spirit of the Lord to be made manifest under the preaching of the gospel or the reading of a sermon.

Friends, we must close. Next month we hope to visit Canada again, the Lord willing. Our friends in Canada may also send in their questions at any time. Sincere regards to all until next issue, the Lord willing and we are spared,

—Your ever-mindful friend at Sioux Center, Iowa

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