12-10-2009, 04:41 PM
When I was six years old, I went forward in a service at a Community Christian church to be saved, and was later baptized. Apparently, I forgot I was saved (okay, I now know that I wasn't), and a lady in vacation Bible school led a whole bunch of us kids in a prayer two years after my first "salvation" experience. I was baptized shortly thereafter in a Southern Baptist church, but apparently only got wet. After convincing myself I was saved, I taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School in my teen years, all the while participating in whatever worldly thing I could when I was not at church. I was convinced of my salvation, however.
It was not until I was 22 years old and had been married almost a year to my lovely wife, that I realized the weight of my sin against God and my utter inability to do anything about it. After picking up a Bible and reading the entire book of Romans, I was amazed at the arguments that Paul had set forth as to why someone needed to be saved. It was at that point the Holy Spirit turned it inward. "What about you?" This was the question that was impressed on my heart. I found myself on my knees confessing all the sins I could remember, sobbing and pleading for the Lord to save my soul, and from his Word, I had assurance of that. I walked out of my office a new man. My wife looked at me strangely and said, "what happened to you?" I told her "I am saved."
Shortly after being born again, I felt a strong desire to preach the word whenever I could. My wife and I began attending a church that was close by. Soon after, I was asked to be the youth pastor. We had some doctrinal problems with this church and the Lord led us to an independent, fundamental Baptist church in our area.
I guess you could say it was Paul, himself, who led me to the Lord, through the Book of Romans.
It was not until I was 22 years old and had been married almost a year to my lovely wife, that I realized the weight of my sin against God and my utter inability to do anything about it. After picking up a Bible and reading the entire book of Romans, I was amazed at the arguments that Paul had set forth as to why someone needed to be saved. It was at that point the Holy Spirit turned it inward. "What about you?" This was the question that was impressed on my heart. I found myself on my knees confessing all the sins I could remember, sobbing and pleading for the Lord to save my soul, and from his Word, I had assurance of that. I walked out of my office a new man. My wife looked at me strangely and said, "what happened to you?" I told her "I am saved."
Shortly after being born again, I felt a strong desire to preach the word whenever I could. My wife and I began attending a church that was close by. Soon after, I was asked to be the youth pastor. We had some doctrinal problems with this church and the Lord led us to an independent, fundamental Baptist church in our area.
I guess you could say it was Paul, himself, who led me to the Lord, through the Book of Romans.
:jesus-10: