Mark
10:13-16; “And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought
them. (14) But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto Me,
and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom
of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (16) And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed
them.”
The title of this article reflects a question which, basic though it be, has caused disagreement and dissension
amongst Theologians and Church Leaders down through the centuries. Especially was this true after the Council of Nicea, but
no less burdensome after the Reformation Period.
In the Early Church, there were apparently no distinctions placed upon age, in order for a child to come to Christ!
Certainly this was clearly portrayed (and should have been forever established as a doctrinal precedent) by the example given
in Mark 10:13-16. Here we find Jesus teaching, as He traveled amongst the people during His three and one half years
of earthly ministry. In this particular instance, older folk (presumably parents/families) began to bring the little children
to be blessed by Jesus. Many have wondered why His disciples became angered to the point of rebuking those bringing the children.
I myself wondered at this for many years, until I realized that the Greek word used here, in reference to these particular
children is: “paidion,” which is indicative of a newborn or very small child.
We may suppose that in the thinking of the disciples, the Gospel was designed for adults, and for children at
least old enough to be held accountable for their actions and decisions. This is precisely the same thinking which has spawned
the erroneous doctrine of: “The Age of Accountability.” Any such concept is flawed in the light of the greater
scope of Scriptural precedence upon the subject! Only our Lord Jesus can know and understand the level of intelligence and
the intents of the heart of a particular individual. If indeed there be such a thing as the “Age of Accountability,”
it is a given that the fluctuation between each individual would be significant. To fully develop this line of thought would
require an entirely separate treatise, which is not our purpose at this time.
Here they were, in Mark 10:13-16, bringing even their babes in arms, and little tykes, perhaps just learning
to walk. It is amazing that these dear folk seemed to have more faith, and a greater understanding than did the disciples;
at least concerning the matter at issue. These humble folk seemed to understand and perceive that this “Jesus of Nazareth,”
was the very essence of kindness, goodness, and benevolence! They may not have fully understood who He truly was, but one
thing they knew: What He had to offer, they desired and desperately needed, and wished the same for their children!
I am sure, as would be expected in such a scenario, these families and parents were determined to bring
their little ones to Jesus! What a moving thought! Can you imagine the turmoil and confrontation which erupted when
the disciples attempted to hinder them from doing so, even with harsh rebuking words? When desperate souls come face
to face with Jesus Christ, and when there is a Divine connection between the twain, no power on Earth can dissuade nor hinder
such a person from their determination to follow Him, and to bring their families into the same experience! This “Divine
Determination” is seen again and again, throughout the Bible.
One of my favorite Hymns is: “I Would Not Be Denied.” Oh, how I remember singing that blessed
song in the summer of 1959, when I entered Pentecost. I would sing it over and over and over again, in a loud voice, whilst
hiking through the woods and fields, and spending time at my “favorite hideaway,” being an old vacant farmstead.
I sang it boldly and joyfully! It mattered not to me if anyone overheard me. That would have been a welcomed event, and an
occasion to testify of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I Would Not Be Denied
When pangs of death seized on my soul,
Unto the Lord I cried;
Till Jesus came and made me whole,
I would
not be denied.
Old Satan said my Lord was gone
And would not hear my prayer;
But praise the Lord, the work is done,
And
Christ the Lord is here.
As Jacob in the days of old,
I wrestled with the Lord;
And instant, with a courage bold,
I stood upon
His Word.
Refrain:
I would not be denied,
I would not be denied,
Till Jesus came and made me whole,
I would not be denied.
So, we are speaking about Divine Determination; what a blessed gift of God is this! Without such, it is
doubtful that anyone will go very far in their Christian experience! I remember at age fifteen, hearing my Pastor's brother,
Daniel Del-Vecchio (who is a powerful preacher and a recognized Apostle in the Body of Christ; having served the Lord and
established many churches in Cuba, Mexico, and Spain). He was preaching in our humble little church in Riverside, New Jersey,
and at least twice during his message, he "bore-down," and powerfully stated that in order to be a faithful servant of our
Lord Jesus, it would be necessary to possess a significant measure of “intestinal fortitude.” Of course, being
a youngster, I was unacquainted with homiletical language, so after the service I asked my Pastor: “Brother Jim, what
did Danny mean when he said we would need to have intestinal fortitude?” I can see my Pastor yet, as he threw back his
head and laughed, with his blue eyes sparkling, and his ruddy face aglow. He replied: “Michael, 'intestinal fortitude'
is simply a more proper way of saying that you will need 'guts,' and lots of guts, to faithfully serve the Lord!”
You may well imagine hearing this kind of preaching for the first time, after having come from a traditional
church background (rather “High-Church”), where the Pastor spoke in hushed tones, barely audible beyond the fifth
row of pews. I realized, once I entered Pentecost, that this matter of following Jesus
was certainly not mere “churchianity;” I realized that it was indeed a very serious matter which demanded a full
and complete commitment, decision, and determination!
I have seen case after case of persons, who make a decision for Christ (especially
is this true of children and young folk), who start out well, but when friends and family begin to show disapproval, and when
persecution sets-in; if the convert is not fully determined in his own mind,
he will become discouraged, and give up the fight! Thank God! He placed something in my young heart of determination
and of unfailing resolve, to follow the Lord Jesus! My family was Christian, and I
thank God for the upbringing and teaching I had as a child. I learned my first prayers, Bible stories, and Scripture memorization
at my Mother's knee. Dad also frequently prayed with us.
Yet, when I received Christ as Savior at age eight, through the influence of schoolmates
and their beloved mother (at the close of a radio broadcast with Robert Fraser), my family was neither impressed nor encouraging!
I was repeatedly charged to not attend the church of my schoolmates (Church of the Open Bible; which in actuality was a very
sound evangelical church; the Pastor, Frank A. Rue, being a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Bible). My dear family
referred to that church as being: “religious fanatics and holy rollers.” So, I was indeed persecuted by those
I loved the most, and I do mean persecuted, from 1952, leading up to 1959, when the Lord brought me into Pentecost! (That
is when real persecution began!) Yet, the Lord Jesus held me and guided me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake,
and has held me thusly until this present moment (February 2, 2011). This is not because of anything on my part, for in and
of myself, I could never have stood the test; but it is rather, because of His sovereign grace and mercy, which is far beyond
our understanding and comprehension.
I write the following, especially to children and young people of all ages
who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, or who desire to do so! I firmly encourage each of you to be loving, kind,
and obedient to your parents, for this is pleasing to the Lord; but, when it comes to your decision to follow the Lord, you must trust Him to hold you and to keep you in the path of the Gospel! You must pray on a daily basis for Him to impart unto your heart and spirit a DIVINE
DETERMINATION, which will hold you fast, no matter how fierce the tempests may beat
around you; no matter how hard and painful the persecution may be hurled against you; no matter how loudly and disapprovingly
your family and friends may mock and rail against you! JESUS IS ABLE TO HOLD YOU! JESUS IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU! JESUS
WILL GIVE YOU A DIVINE DETERMINATION! YOU MUST BELIEVE THIS!
At the very moment you are reading this, there are precious young boys and
girls; young men and women in various places upon the face of this Earth, who are being savagely and viciously persecuted
because of their stand for Jesus Christ! Many are beaten, maimed, tortured; and yes; many have been put to death! Surely He is able to give each of us grace to endure, no matter how difficult our trials may be! If you are not in an area of such persecution as above-mentioned, please
be very grateful for that fact, but remember! Yes, remember with deepest humility and thanksgiving, that if others have suffered
such persecution and still have not denied the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, surely He can give you grace to stand in the face of opposition and persecution,
without denying Him!
I am reminded of another great old song, which will encourage your heart:
"I am determined, I've made up my mind;
I'll serve the Lord.
I've left the world and its pleasures behind;
I'll serve the Lord.
I will follow wheresoever He may lead me;
I will pasture wheresoever He may feed me;
For I am determined, I've made up my mind;
I will serve the Lord!"
I recall as a fifteen year old lad, becoming so burdened and concerned for a dear old brother
in our church who was in the beginning stages of dementia. (He had been a great witness for Christ for many years.) I ventured
on a dangerous trip through the ghettos of Philadelphia, to attend a Healing Revival, being held at the Philadelphia Arena,
which necessitated the taking of a bus from New Jersey to downtown Philadelphia, and then, the “elevated-train”
to 46th and Market Streets. (The meeting closed at nearly eleven P.M., and I had to travel through the city at that hour;
not returning home until nearly three A.M.)
My reason for this undertaking was to speak to the the main Evangelist, who had a reputation
for being highly successful in the casting out of evil spirits. I arrived there for the afternoon service, after which, he
was interviewing folk who had come for prayer cards. As I approached the ramp, one of his assistants pre-interviewed me, and
with a surprising degree of aloofness, stated: “You don't need to see Brother ______, I can tell you what you need to
know. I can issue the prayer card, and you can bring the gentleman for prayer.”
Well, I suppose my response would be by some, considered rather impolite,
and possibly even a bit rebellious, but I spoke forthrightly in a loud voice: “Oh no, Brother ______! I came all the
way from New Jersey on a bus, and an elevated train to speak to Brother ______, and I intend to speak to him! This is a serious matter! A dear old saint of God is losing his mind, and desperately needs
healing! I MUST SPEAK TO BROTHER ______ ! I WILL NOT BE DENIED! YOU MUST ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH HIM ! !
!”
Just at that moment, hearing the commotion, Brother ______ stared at us from the pulpit where
he had been granting interviews, and in a rather irritated, impatient tone, he spoke: “Brother ______, what is going
on down there? Why are you stopping that young man? Let him come up here at once!” I can never forget the overwhelming
feeling I had as I approached that pulpit. I was enveloped with the manifest presence of our Lord, as Brother ______ spoke
kindly: “Come up here, brother, and tell me about it. Why have you come? How can I help you?”
I explained the situation, and he paused, as if in prayer, and said: “Yes,
I believe he is bound by an evil spirit which is trying to take his mind.” He then gave me a yellow prayer card, and
asked me to bring the dear old brother for prayer. I returned joyfully to Riverside, and the next day, went to bear the good
news! The old brother was all aglow and joyful, and more than willing to go for prayer, even though it meant a long journey
through a dangerous part of the city. Tragically, his wife put her foot down and flatly refused to allow him to go, saying that she wanted nothing to do with those “Pentecostal people,” nor with their
teachings. I was still determined, although I could not overrule his wife, but in my heart, I held fast in faith, believing
that he would be healed.
I sincerely believe that because of my act of obedience and compassion
in going to obtain the prayer card, and of Brother ______'s concern, and prayerful pause while filling out the card, there
was indeed a connection of faith! I am glad to report that the dear old brother (while
not fully restored), remained stable and continued to be active in church, and to enjoy a significant soundness of mind;
being able to walk about his neighborhood visiting friends, etc., up until the time of his home-going, at around ninety years
of age.
The Apostle Paul gave command to Timothy, his son in the Gospel: “Let
no man despise thy youth...” (1 Timothy 4:12). It is believed that Timothy was
at the time a young preacher of approximately eighteen to twenty years of age. Some of you may say: “Well, Dad O'Connor,
that seems a very young age to be a preacher. I don't know how I could do that.” Hear me, dear young person, who said you cannot do it? All through the Scriptures, our Lord has called children; some at very early ages, and placed His hand and calling
upon them. To cite a few examples, let us consider: Jacob, Joseph, Moses; Samuel, David, Solomon, (all the Prophets were called
and chosen from their mothers' wombs, some being specifically dealt with by God in their youth), John the Baptist, and Jesus
Christ our Lord.
There are also many many such cases down through the pages of Church History, of God having
called and chosen children and young people; even to preaching ministries. I am aware of numerous such children who were genuinely
called and used of the Lord at very young ages.
Some forty-two years ago, I was a minister at a Holiness Camp-Meeting in the South. During
this time, the blessed Holy Spirit was out-poured upon the meeting, and especially upon the young people, several of whom
came under a powerful unction to preach, prophesy, and to intercede for lost souls. (Oh, thank God, thank God for those blessed
years when the altars of prayer still ran down with tears). One young boy, aged six, was especially moved upon. I can see
that little fellow now, marching up and down the aisle, with a shining glory upon his face, and with tears running down, as
he preached the Gospel, and pled with lost souls to surrender to Christ! Oh! This was not some “five minute sermonette;”
what I here relate was a full-fledged preacher, carrying a true unction of the Holy Spirit, and doing the work of an Evangelist.
Conviction fell upon even hardened sinners, breaking them down and drawing them to the altar, with tears and agony over their
sins; leading a goodly number to a genuine Born-Again experience!
Our dear Father and Brother, Gustav E. Hoyer spoke to us numerous times of the great outpouring
of the Holy Spirit upon the ancient Hugenots: In that Awakening, it was not uncommon for small children and even babies to
speak out with a loud unction, from their cradles and cribs, prophesying the Word of the Lord in perfect French. (Many of
these children could barely say “Papa” and “Mama.”)
I am reticent to speak of myself, but I do so with humility and with a rendering
of all praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who appeared to me at age five, in a night visitation, illuminating the
room with dazzling rays and colors, such as I had never seen before, nor have seen since. He spoke to me and lifted His hands
toward me, as if bestowing a blessing upon me! I speak of this experience very rarely, but I do so now to encourage each of
you to believe God for a Divine meeting with Him, and a Divine apprehension
by Him, of your life for His purposes! The next day, and for weeks
thereafter, I began telling folk that Jesus had visited me, and that when I grew up I would be a preacher! My dear Grandfather
gave me a little paperback edition of Scripture verses entitled: “Weighty Words of Life.” That was my first “Bible,”
from which I would stand and “preach” to family and visitors, and also have “church services” with
my playmates. (I still have this little book of Scriptures after sixty-one years, minus the front cover and the first few
pages.)
As great as was this visitation-experience, the Lord led me by His Spirit to take a greater step of receiving
Him as Lord and Savior at age eight. After this experience, I began to feel a burden for the lost, and a concern for those
whom I perceived to be unprepared and unready to meet the Lord. We had an elderly lady in our neighborhood whom at times I
visited, and spoke with. She seemed friendly enough, and always treated me well, sometimes giving me milk and cookies. That
is, until I left a Gospel tract in her door! It was the only tract I had, which someone had given me, entitled: “The
Three Little Pigs” (A very innocent children's tract). I had heard that she had been ill and in my heart I felt a concern
for her condition and also for her soul. Her response to my concern was to scream and rail upon me, telling me never to come
to her house again, and threatening to summon the police if ever again I left a tract in her door. Sadly, she died shortly
thereafter, and the talk of the neighborhood was that she died a very hard death. So, a little eight year old “missionary-boy”
had learned his first lesson in being rejected for the sake of the Gospel. I grieved for her for quite some time afterward,
fearing that she had not made Heaven her home!
At age twelve, on a Sunday afternoon, Dad had taken me to a peninsula in an neighboring town, where he had taught
my brothers and I to drive (I learned to drive at age seven in a 1938 Nash, with a floor-shift). This particular Sunday afternoon
was just a leisurely time of driving his big old Hudson, which more resembled an upside-down bathtub or a “Sherman tank.”
I clicked on the radio, right in the middle of the Hymn singing, at the “Church of the Open Door” broadcast, in
Philadelphia. I had enjoyed listening to them for a number of years, as well as other Christian broadcasts, but upon this
day, as soon as I heard the “joyful sound” of the glorious Hymns, I was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke-out momentarily in a language
which I had never learned. (At the time, I knew absolutely nothing of the Pentecostal experience.)
Dad was somewhat upset at my “outburst,” and I believe, a bit fearful. Being raised
in the Methodist Church, he certainly did not understand a thing such as this happening to his son! That was in 1956.
Three years later, the Lord would lead me into Pentecost, and into a fuller and deeper expression
of His Holy Spirit. I was, at this time age fifteen, and then began to preach and to serve as youth leader in my church (Christ's
Ambassadors Leader). Two years later, it was my privilege to be invited to speak in a Tent Revival; several months thereafter
it was my privilege to be licensed to the ministry, by Sister Viola Wertz, and two beloved old Elders in Philadelphia.
Young people, please hear me! Please open your ears and listen! You are never too young
to be saved; nor too young to receive the Baptism into the Holy Spirit; nor too young to be sanctified and to walk in Holiness;
nor too young to be called, anointed, and chosen of God for the work of ministry! Oh! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
Jesus Himself, in the narrative in Mark 10, commanded that His disciples cease and desist from
hindering the children! He said in the strongest possible manner: (Paraphrase) “You must allow, permit, and encourage
the little children; even the newborn babes and toddlers, to freely and fearlessly come to Me, and to be brought to Me; for
such as these little babies and little children, is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The folk gladly obeyed His command, and continued to bring their children, which Jesus gladly
took up (picked up/received from their parents) as He laid His hands upon them and blessed them. Not only did He take time
with the “Innocents;” He also conferred upon them His blessing and anointing! It is entirely believable that those
children who received His blessing, grew up to become ministers and leaders in the Early Church! (No conferred blessing of
our Lord was ever given without Divine purpose and Divine fruition!)
It is not essential, nor is it even necessary for any young person to wait until: “First
Holy Communion” or “Confirmation,” in order to begin to know and understand the Scriptures, and the knowledge
of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
I have heard numerous accounts of small children, as young as two years old,
who requested to be baptized and/or led in a prayer to receive Christ! Even Brother Warren (who is a part of this ministry),
when at the age of three, had such an experience! His dear mother had been teaching he and his older brother, Jonathan, about
Jesus, and the way of salvation; and of course teaching them wonderful Gospel songs and praying with them. One day Warren
was playing in the yard, and a sudden overshadowing of the Holy Spirit fell upon him; as his heart leaped within him! He then
and there invited the Lord Jesus into His heart as His Savior! A great joy flooded his soul, and he ran about the yard laughing
and rejoicing; and straight into the house, announcing his great experience to his Mom! He did not understand all the “Theology”
of it, but he surely knew that something very powerful had transpired!
When I arose from my knees in 1952, after “Mom Verdie Braddock”
and her family had prayed with me (when I received Christ, at age eight), I was filled with joy unspeakable and
full of glory! I truly believed that I had been saved, as I prayed at that old sofa, I knew my life had changed and that Jesus
had come in as Lord and Savior! I had an assurance of salvation, and an exuberance and joy, which bore witness to the same!
Why do we wait and stall around, and
hold young folk back from being saved and coming to Jesus; just because they
have not reached “Confirmation-age?” Why do we deny them the privilege of receiving the Lord's Supper, and of Water Baptism by full immersion? Why do
we tell them they cannot hear God's voice nor receive His call until “later in life?”
When I say, “We,” I refer to we, “in the ministry.”
Surely it is not my personal practice to enforce the delays and hindrances
as above-stated, upon any child or young person! I have baptized children as young as four years old, who requested to be
baptized, and whom upon careful examination, fully understood the ramifications of water baptism. Also has this been true
of children who wish to receive the Lord's Supper, in the Eucharist; who expressed an understanding that they wished to partake
of the Lord's Body and Blood.
It is a tragic note that many dear, precious children have had a heart to
come to Christ, and were under a dealing of the Holy Spirit in their little lives; but cold, dead, ritual and ceremony; dead, dry, religious dogma and
tradition forbade them!
JESUS COMMANDED: “FORBID THEM NOT!!!”
A faithful paraphrase of this clause is: “Do not hinder, dissuade, discourage, nor delay them from coming to Me.”
So often, when such children have been hindered, they at a later time (when the church, and when their parents and
spiritual leaders decide that the time is right), have no longer any interest nor
desire for coming to Christ; nor any remaining interest in spiritual matters! All too often in such cases, it seems that the opportunity is forever lost, and even
after the passage of many years, such offended little ones, very often fail
to express any interest in coming to the Lord!
As I close this article, I do so with a very heavy heart, and a soul filled
with the compassion and intercession of the Holy Spirit for children and young people of all ages, wherever they may appear
upon the face of this World. I say to you all, with the heart of a father, and indeed to the “young ones,” the
heart of an old Grandpa:
"Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus NOW, in the days of your youth, when the evil days come not nigh! Now is the accepted time! Today
is the day of salvation! Don't harden your heart! Oh, my dear children, won't you just now
open your heart to Jesus? He gave His life for you on the cruel cross of Calvary! Had you been the only person in this whole
wide World, He would have still come all the way from Heaven, down, just to bleed and die and suffer the death of the cross
for you; to remove your sins and purchase your eternal soul for a bright eternity with Him!"
I wish to pray with you! Perhaps you can find a place to get away from everything
– a quiet place, and pray this prayer from your heart. Mean every word of it, believe it, and be sincere about it, more
than anything you have ever done before in your life! Please let me tell you that Hell
is a very real and a horrible place, which we do not want to ever experience!
There is a Heaven to gain, and a Hell to shun! Some have said: “How
can Jesus send anyone to Hell?” My dear friends, we are born in sin, and shapen in iniquity. We are born into this world,
totally and utterly lost, and without a hope in this life or in the life to come! This is why Jesus came as the great “Sin-Offering,”
and gave His life for each one of us! He never sends anyone to Hell! We send ourselves to Hell when we reject His Salvation, which is our only escape from Hell! When we reject Jesus Christ and His Salvation,
we bear the responsibility of choosing Hell! We send ourselves there! In the Bible, God says: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve!” “You cannot serve two masters...!”
Please pray now with me, just as sincerely and truthfully as you possibly know how! If you
mean this with all your heart, He will hear your prayer, and He will answer! He will write your name in the Book of Life,
and His precious blood will cleanse away every sin you have ever committed! He will help you and strengthen you to live
for Him, day by day! When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your soul will be saved, and you will become a
new person! You will be Born-Again, as the Scriptures teach us in John, the third chapter.
Write to us, and tell us of your decision for Christ! You may call, write, or email, and we
will send you some good Christian literature to help you in your new walk with Christ. It is very important for you to find
a good Bible Church which preaches the Gospel, and takes a stand for Holiness and Sanctification of life. God bless you, my
dear children, who pray this prayer:
The Prayer:
“Dearest Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. Without you, I am lost. Without
you, I cannot be saved. I confess every sin. I judge myself guilty of every sin I have ever committed, and I ask you now to
wash away all those sins, and to remember them against me no more. I receive you now into my heart and life as my Lord and
Savior. Please help me to live for you, and I pray that you will bring me into the path of Holiness, that I may walk in the
way of righteousness, and be set free from the way of the World. I thank you now for your blood that you shed for me. I thank
you for dying on that old rugged cross for me. I thank you for arising from the tomb on the third day; and I thank you that
you are alive forevermore, and that someday, you will come back to rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Amen
and Amen! Also, Lord Jesus, please give me Christian friends who will be a help and encouragement to me. Also, cause me to
reach out to others who do not yet know you! Please help me to win others to you. Amen!
"Don't turn Him away, don't turn Him away;
He has come back to your heart again,
Although you've gone astray.
Oh! How you'll need Him to plead your cause,
On that eternal day;
Don't turn the Savior away from your heart,
Oh no! Don't turn Him away!"
With a heart full of love and deepest concern,
Dad O'Connor
_________
_________ _________
A
Young Boy Is Called To Preach
(Selected)
I
was busily washing dishes one morning when eleven year old David walked into the kitchen.
"You know, Mother," he began, “for a long time, every time I prayed I would hear a voice saying, 'Preach!
Preach! Preach!' I could hardly pray because of it.”
Carefully
I answered, “What did you finally do about it?”
"Well," replied David matter-of-factly, “I decided God was calling me to preach, so I told Him I would!”
"Do you hear the voice any longer?" I asked, smiling down at my serious-faced son.
"No!" replied David, “not since the day I told the Lord I would preach if He wanted me to.”
Then,
child-like, having share his experiences, he was ready for other things. He went outdoors to play, leaving a very thoughtful
and grateful mother behind.
I
was literally filled with melodies unto the Lord, so happy was I. It was one thing for God to reveal Himself to me, but it
was thrilling and precious to know that He could reveal Himself to my young son and give him understanding!
