Are You Still a Baby Christian? A Call to Spiritual Maturity

In this message titled "Maturing The Saints Part 1," Rev. Austin Ukporhe discusses the biblical necessity of spiritual growth. He argues that many Christians remain in a state of infancy, relying on "milk" (basic principles) rather than "strong meat" (mature doctrine), which hinders their ability to fully walk in their inheritance and authority in God.

Key themes include:

• The Indictment of Immaturity: Using Hebrews 5:12-14, Rev. Ukporhe rebukes the idea of staying a "baby Christian." He emphasizes that maturity is not based on natural age but on the intentional development of discernment and the ability to handle the "word of righteousness" (0:03:54 - 0:05:13).

• The Role of the Ministry: He explains that the five-fold ministry is designed to equip the saints for the work of service, not to keep them permanently dependent on their leaders (0:00:52 - 0:01:31).

• Gifts vs. Character: Using the Corinthian church as an example, the speaker clarifies that the possession of spiritual gifts does not equate to spiritual maturity. While the Corinthians were gifted in utterance and knowledge, they struggled with character issues like envy and strife, demonstrating the need for internal transformation over mere external demonstration (0:45:00 - 0:58:00).

• The Importance of Doctrine: He stresses that sound doctrine and intentional study are essential for growth. Relying solely on inspiration without studying the Scriptures leads to a lack of stability and makes believers vulnerable to false teachings (1:02:10 - 1:12:49).

Rev. Ukporhe concludes by calling the congregation to move beyond the "milk" of basic teachings and embrace the responsibility of becoming mature saints who can properly divide the truth.