Page 19 - News Autumn_Winter 2024_Print

stall, sat down on its chair and said, “Tell me all about it
then.” That is when Alan began to share the 'Good News' I WAS BAPTISED IN THE SEA
of the Christian Gospel with me. He explained that God
loved me and had sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the
world to pay the price of my sins. I was eager to hear
more, so we arranged to meet up in Sainsbury's cafe the
following week. with food (which was right up my street), included an
That day was a special day for me. Alan explained that explanation of what being a Christian meant and was
followed by a question time. I didn't ask many
before I could understand the 'Good News', I needed to questions at all but I learnt a lot just by listening to
hear the 'bad news'. He said that God is not only a loving
God, but He is also a Holy and just one. That means He them. There came a point in the course when there
was an explanation of who the Holy Spirit is, how He
cannot let sin go unpunished. In the same way that an
earthly judge cannot let a convicted criminal go off can change lives and how to receive Him. I was
scott-free, so God cannot let anyone who has sinned prayed for that day and felt the Holy Spirit come into
go unpunished. Alan explained that we all sin when we me. It was wonderful.
break God's commandments, given to protect us from I was baptised in the sea – another amazing experience.
harm, like: “You must not lie”; 'You must not steal”; “You When you go down in the water it's like dying with
must not murder" (the Bible says we commit murder Jesus to your old bad life. And when you come up out
in our hearts even when we just burn with anger); “You of the water it's like being raised with Him into a new,
must not covet (want) the possessions that belong to wonderful, clean life. I can honestly say that knowing
other people”. Well, I was totally lost on all of these... Jesus as my Lord and Saviour has changed me so much
aren't we all? Alan continued to tell me the Good News for the better. I do not get angry now because I find it
is that God loves us and has provided a way that we can easy to forgive those who hurt me or let me down. I want
be forgiven without having to be punished. He sent His to help people much more now in any way I can. I love
Son, Jesus Christ, into the world through a virgin's womb going to church and being with other believers.
(the truth behind Christmas) to live a perfect life and take
our punishment upon Himself the cross (the truth behind The Bible says that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ
Good Friday). Jesus then rose from the dead on the first is “saved” from God's judgement and becomes a child
Easter Sunday in order to be our living Saviour and Lord of God, the King of Heaven. That means that I am a
in heaven. Everyone who believes this has their sins prince now. If I never have anything in this world, I
forgiven and receives the free gift of eternal life. have everything in the next. I have finally found real
I believed the Good News that day and asked Jesus into contentment.
my heart. I immediately felt an inner peace that has Nick’s testimony was passed to National Office by
never left me. I began going to Bay Church, in Paignton Rick Hillard, Torbay & Teignbridge Branch. Nick is
and did the Alpha Course. Each course session began pictured below with Rose.

19

18/09/2024 12:22
News Autumn_Winter 2024.indd 19
News Autumn_Winter 2024.indd 19 18/09/2024 12:22