The Needs of a New Convert (October 20, 2024)

This is TWO in ONE sermon. First, we are talking to the new convert that has just come to Christ. Second, we are talking to those of us who have been saved for some time and should be meeting the needs of the new converts.

The person who has just come to know Christ has many needs. As a new convert, he is helpless and usually doomed to falling and returning to the world, unless his needs are met. This is the challenge of the church, of mature believers. Notice that I said mature believers. Just because you have been saved for 50 years doesn’t make you a mature believer. Many have growth issues and need to get back to growing before they can help others, although that is a topic for another time.

So, what are the needs of the new convert?

• to receive help from a mature believer (Acts 9:10-15)
• to know that he is a chosen instrument of God (Acts 9:15-16)
• to experience the help and ministry of God’s disciple (Acts 9:17-18)

To receive help from a mature believer

Acts 9:10–15 ~ “Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.”

The new convert needs help from a mature believer. This is not necessarily a deacon, an ordained minister, or even the pastor, this mature believer is simply someone who is obeying the voice of the Lord. Let’s look at Ananias and the traits he possessed and see how this is exactly what was needed by the new convert, Saul.

• Ananias was sensitive to God’s call. When God spoke to Ananias, he listened. He was alert and sensitive, aware of and familiar with the voice of God. He was a man of much prayer. Therefore, when God called him, he knew the voice of God and he answered. The new convert doesn’t need someone pushing their own agenda, but someone who knows the voice of God and who is sensitive to the call and direction of God.

1 Peter 5:5–6 ~ “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,”

• Ananias was willing to face difficult assignments. Reaching out and helping a new convert is always difficult, a heavy responsibility. And the more depraved the convert has been, the more difficult the task becomes. This was true with Saul; this is true with all new converts. In dealing with the new convert, there is always some apprehension, for he is somewhat unknown and to some degree a stranger and a novice in the faith. There is the difficulty …
  • of learning where he is in the spiritual and Biblical understanding
  • of learning where he is in emotional maturity
  • of knowing what to teach, where to begin and the pace at which to teach
  • of determining how much time is necessary to disciple him
  • of being on guard against becoming a stumbling block, because he is always observing and watching one’s life
  • of rotting and grounding him in the faith by life and example, instruction and personal attachment
  • of leading him to love and not to be critical and judgmental, opposing and attacking other believers
  • of protecting him from falling and from returning to the world, from returning to his former life of sin

• Ananias was willing to be the answer to prayer. Notice how God assured Ananias.
  • God told Ananias that Paul was praying: he was truly a new convert, seeking God’s face. He was broken, trembling, stricken and apprehensive …
    • over the shattering appearance of the Lord Jesus
    • over the warning from the Lord that he was on the brink of disaster and doom
    • over having rebelled and opposed the Lord and His people
    • over his terrible sin
    • over his obstinate unbelief and over deception, having fought and struggled against God and having kicked against the pricks of conscience when he knew better
    • over having to wait for the Lord’s instructions on what to do next
    • over having been stricken blind and being in total darkness
  • God told Ananias that Paul had been given a vision that Ananias would come and help him

• Ananias sensed inadequacy and apprehension. He knew about the former life of Saul, the terrible sin and shame, the threat that he was to believers. He shrank from helping him, sensing both inadequacy and apprehension. But note this is exactly how the believer should feel about the call of God, no matter what the call is. Feeling inadequate and being apprehensive makes the believer cast himself upon God. It teaches him to trust God, His grace, His suffering, His strength more and more.

2 Corinthians 3:5 ~ “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,”

• Ananias was willing to obey when God said go. The new convert needs an obedient believer helping him. He would be helpless and most likely ruined if the believer was not obedient. Obedience, learning to obey, is the supreme trait and evidence of the true believer.
  • To obey is to believe and to believe is to obey

Jeremiah 7:23 ~ “But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’”

• To obey is to love and to love is to obey

John 14:21 ~ “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.””

• To obey is better than sacrifice

1 Samuel 15:22 ~ “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

To know that he is a chosen instrument of God

Acts 9:15–16 ~ “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.””

The new convert needs to know that he is a chosen vessel, a chosen instrument of God. In our verses, Saul needed to know this glorious truth, so does every new convert. The Lord clearly says …

John 15:16 ~ “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

The new convert is a priceless vessel, a vessel that must not be knocked over and broken, cast away, or neglected and ignored. The new convert needs to know God has chosen to use him in His work and service, giving him the greatest possible purpose on earth. There are two things he needs to know.

• God has chosen the believer to bear the Lord’s name
• God has chosen the believer to suffer for the sake of the Lord’s name. Every true believer is abused and suffers at the hands of the world. Christ has forewarned believers: they shall suffer persecution. The new convert needs to know this.

To experience the help and ministry of God’s disciple

Acts 9:17–18 ~ “So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;”