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I have agreed to share my testimony, with the hope and prayer that it will make a difference for others and show them the way to have “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:1b |
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I've been in church for as long as I can remember. Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, revivals, camp meetings – we were there whenever the doors were open. I was saved at 8 years old while attending a Good News club after school. I realized that I wanted to go to heaven, but could not because of my sins. (Rom. 3:23) I learned that Jesus had died to pay for those sins. (I Pet.3: 18) So I asked Him to be my Savior, and from that moment I knew God was always with me. That did a lot to keep me out of trouble, since I had great desire to please Him. |
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You'd think that with all the time I spent in church that I would be happy, and have peace of mind. But I didn't. The church I attended taught us that there were things you had to do to be saved – like reading your Bible, coming to church, working in a ministry, giving your money. They taught us that if you didn't do these things , or if you committed a really big sin, (like murder), you could lose your salvation. So I did my best to follow all the do's and don'ts. But I was never sure if I'd done enough to stay saved, or if I'd somehow lost my salvation. I had no peace of mind. Every night I'd fall asleep praying and begging God that if something happened that night that He would take me to heaven. I searched for answers as I became a teenager, but people couldn't answer my questions. I visited different churches looking for help, but never found any. Finally, out of great frustration, I just told the Lord I would serve Him the best I could, and leave the rest up to Him. I worked as hard and as much as possible, always with a dread and fear hanging over me. Several years later, I started attending a new church, one that taught from the King James Version of the Bible. The pastor was teaching the Bible verse by verse, and it was wonderful! One study he did was on what you receive when you get saved, and for the first time I heard about eternal security. The Bible says that when you are saved, it is forever. (I Jn.5:13) Eternal life is a gift from God – it cannot be earned or worked for.(Eph.2: 8,9) It was paid for by the precious blood of Christ when He died on the cross. (I John 1:7) We just accept it by faith, just as you would accept a gift that is offered to you. Once you accept Christ as your Savior, the Bible says that we are kept in God's hand, and nothing can remove us from that place. (John 10:28) God is your Father, and you are a part of His family. I received all that when I asked Christ to be my Savior at 8 years old – I just didn't realize what the Bible said! I found out I had been following man's teachings rather that God's. I can't tell you what joy and peace of mind came to me at the realization of knowing that God's Word is the truth, that it has the answers I seek. I have made it the final authority in my life. These truths are for you also. God desires for everyone to understand His love and plan for them. Let the truth of God's Word set you free from fear! You can know God's peace and joy in your life today.
- More “My Stories” - A clear Bible explanation of salvation - Information on Grace Baptist Church
Admit to God that you are a sinner
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
Believe that Jesus Christ died to pay for your sin
“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10)
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18)
Call out to Him and ask Him to be your Saviour
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Grace Baptist Church 120 Park Avenue Medina, NY 14103 585-798-3096 |
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Barbara Kneeppel |
