This past Sunday (December 11, 2022), I had the wonderful privilege of baptizing all three of my sons. Each of them shared their testimonies as a witness of God’s grace. It is God’s grace that each of them was born into our family, God’s grace that each has been born again, and God’s grace that they have now been baptized in a church that loves them. My wife and I waited many years, while we observed their Christian walk, to make sure they were ready to take this step of obedience .
At New Life Church, we celebrate baptisms because they represent the salvation miracle which God has accomplished in each Christian’s life. For children, we choose to wait until both parents and church leaders affirm their profession of faith as genuine and lasting. But for those with true faith, we encourage baptism as the first step of Christian obedience.
As parents, we know that we still have much work to do in the coming years, but we will prayerfully rely on God’s grace as we raise our children in the Lord. For now, we are thanking God for the blessings of this week.
Trevor’s Testimony
I grew up in the church and in a Christian home. I heard the Bible a lot and knew most of the stories. Since I had heard them so many times I thought I knew everything about the Bible. It wasn’t until the age of 6 that I truly saw how much Jesus had done for me. Our family was reading a Bible story during family devotions and it made me want to ask my mom more questions. After listening to the story of Jesus on the cross in a whole new way, I wanted to give my life to Christ.
Coming to Christ changed my life. In the years since I started my relationship with Jesus, I have continued to learn more about God. Before I became a Christian I had little knowledge of God and what right and wrong was. I did whatever I wanted to do. Through my walk with God, I have continued to learn more about God and how much he loves me. I became a believer because of verses like John 3:17 which says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” and 1 John 1:9 which says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” These two verses showed me God’s love because I knew that no matter how many sins I committed he would always forgive me. God’s patience and forgiveness toward me has helped me to be more understanding and forgiving toward others because God has done so much to forgive me.
I still have a lot to learn, but Jesus has helped me to serve with the children in AWANA and Sunday School. He also gives me comfort when I am going through hard times. I believe God will continue to strengthen my faith as I share with others the good news that has brought me such joy.
Jordan’s Testimony
This is my testimony. It is the story of how I devoted my life to Jesus and serving God. I had always wanted to be his servant and I became a Christian when I was 4. I remember I went into my Dad’s study and pledged my devotion and faith towards God. I said that I knew that Jesus died for my sins and that he was resurrected. I accepted this after my Mom asked me if I would accept the holy spirit into my soul. She told me what it meant to be a Christian and that Jesus died so people could be saved. I remember thinking with my little 4-year-old brain that if he loved me enough to die for me, then I would try and do whatever he wanted me to do. So I said “Yes.” I was now a Christian, devoted to God, and serving him.
This has changed me emotionally and spiritually. At first, I was disobedient, like when I got into fights with my older brother. I did not know what Jesus had done for me and how I could accept his gift of eternal life. I would have grown up angry and rebellious, not knowing the great love of God. Instead, though, I was able to become a Christian and learn of his great plan for me. I know that sometimes I still sin, even though I am a Christian. But because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, he promises to forgive me when I confess my sin.
If I did not place my trust in Jesus, I would have been afraid of pain and death. But I believe every word of the Bible is God’s Word. I now have confidence in my future since God is watching out for me and anything that happens to me is in his holy plan. I can also be the light in other people’s darkness. I was encouraged and influenced by other Christians and I had and still have many Christian friends. I also have many friends who are not Christians. They both act differently and talk differently. I want to tell them all about Jesus. This is my story of redemption.
Peyton’s Testimony
This is how I became a Christian. It was a sunny morning around Easter time in my parent’s bedroom. I was 6 years old and surrounded by my family. I remember my mom told me the story about how Jesus could come into my life and at that moment I wanted to follow him.
I became a Christian because I knew that I was dead in my sin and that believing in Jesus was the only way to have everlasting life. As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus cancels the sin of everyone who believes in him, including me. Since I believe in Jesus, I am confident I will go to heaven.
Baptism is a symbol that I am a Christian and that I am now ready to show it. This decision also affects my life today because I am older and can serve in the church. I like to help the children learn about the Bible in Sunday School and I look forward to spreading the gospel so that more people can learn about Jesus and share my joy. I have grown up in the church my whole life and surrounded by people who love Jesus and who really cared about me.
I enjoyed hearing about the gospel and learning all about who God is through VBS and AWANA. Hearing about the gospel helps me understand the Bible more clearly. I am blessed by being in a family who all love God. Becoming a Christian has really affected my life in a lot ways.
