THE CONVERSION OF A CHILD

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

THE CONVERSION OF A CHILD                       

1 Samuel 3:7; 21 ESV

⁷ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.  ⁸ And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. ⁹ Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

¹⁰ And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” ¹¹ Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. ¹² On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. ¹³ And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. ¹⁴ Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

¹⁵ Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. ¹⁶ But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” ¹⁷ And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” ¹⁸ So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.”

¹⁹ And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. ²⁰ And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. ²¹ And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Samuel is a transitional character in the Old Testament.  Israel transitioned from a Theocracy to a Monarchy during Samuel’s term as Judge of Israel.  Samuel was a Levite, a Nazarite, a Prophet, and the Judge of Israel.  He was remarkable in every task.  He is one of a limited number of truly great men in the history of Israel.  His character and spiritual commitment were above reproach. 

Samuel is known from conception to death.  Samuel is never overwhelming as a servant of God but he is always faithful and obedient.  And this should always be the fruit of true conversion. 

In I Samuel 3:7 the Scripture describes Samuel (his age is unknown) as one who, “did not yet know the Lord.”  The conversations I have had with advanced Bible teachers and the commentaries I have read either ignore this statement or explain it in such a way that it has no relationship to Samuel’s conversion.  But this appears to ignore the obvious.

In I Samuel 2:12 (ESV), there is the same description phrase which identifies men who are obviously unbelievers.  ^“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord”.  There is no reason to think there is a change of meaning between Vs. 2:12 and Vs. 3:7.  When they are made to have different meanings as is done in The Reformation Study Bible, it is isogesis rather than exegesis.  As Eli’s sons were lost men so Samuel was not yet converted in I Samuel 3:7. 

Samuel as servant of God is evidently a true saint. Where does this conversion occur?  We are not left to wonder.  It is also plain that I Samuel 3:19-21 is explaining Samuel’s conversion, calling, and authority.

1.  His conversion: “The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by the word of the Lord”.  When this is compared to Psalm 19:7A, “The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul,” the intent of the author in I Samuel 3:21 is understandable.
2. His calling:  “All Israel…knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.”  Samuel had experienced God’s call in 3:10.  In VS. 19. This call is guaranteed by the authority that accompanied it.
3.  His authority:  Samuel, from the time of his conversion, was endued with divine authority.  In Vs. 19 “The Lord was with him”, this guaranteed his authority as one who was able to speak the divine word.

Samuel’s conversion should establish the need of all children to be subjects of the Spirit of Grace.  There are none who enter the world holy.  Jesus’ statement to Nicodemus is inclusive.  “You” plural, “all” or everyone, “must (divine necessity) be born again.”  The requirement is the new birth which without fail begets faith in Christ. 

This does not call for a particular experience.  It is a statement of the absolute need for conversion that is as broad as God’s judgment in Rev. 20:12, “the dead, great and small,”  This also defines the prospects for the Gospel.  As broad as the need so are the prospect for your witness. 

There are only two questions for you to answer before you become a gospel witness.   

Is Jesus an all powerful savior of sinners?  Yes! 

Has the gospel become less than the power of God to save sinners?  No! 

Read Acts 1:8 NKJ.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”