David_L._Brown
“Wehad body dancers in tights “minister” to us in one service and rockbands in the basement for youth activities.”
My family was Methodist. We attended a small country Methodistchurch when I was a young boy. I had a Sunday School teacher named VernBlankenberg. He was not satisfied with the Sunday School material so hetold us to bring a notebook and out Bibles because we were going tostudy the Bible starting the next week. Sure enough the next week webegan to study the book of Romans. I do not recall how many weeks intothe study we were but I do remember getting the POINT of the lessonthat we were all sinners and that sinners go to Hell unless theybelieve in Christ. As an 11 year old boy, I went home down rightscared. I cried out to God literally in my bedroom one evening and toldHim I did not want to go to Hell. I asked forgiveness of my sins andtold Him I believed!
I do not remember exact times very well, but I know that the Pastorleft the little country church. My parents decided to transfer to thecity Methodist church. What a mistake. I starved spiritually. We got asteady does of 60’s civil rights, peace and good works “sermons.” Wehad body dancers in tights “minister” to us in one service and rockbands in the basement for youth activities. It was at that point in myteenage life that God brought a real Christian girl into my life. Istarted going to the Baptist Church with her. Man was her church great.They preached the WORD, the Bible and my thirsty soul soaked it up. Howrefreshing. We dated, went steady and then broke up. I think folksthought that would be the end of me, not that we weren’t “goingtogether” any more. WRONG! I still attended. I was getting fedspiritually. I went away to the state university but attended a retreatthe Baptist Church back home was hosting. There God really worked in mylife.
When I got back to college, one day coming home from class I toldthe Lord, “I’m not sure what you want for me Lord, but I commit myselfto you and will do whatever you want me to do.” It was like a ton ofbricks lifted off my shoulders. I was baptized biblically and joinedFirst Baptist Church of Lake Orion, Michigan the summer of 68. Itransferred to Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College that summer anddecided to study for the ministry. God was good to me. I was soignorant of the Bible but really learned a lot. But I struggled withthe decision I had made when I was 11 years old. I settled the matterby my office desk September 13, 1971. I told the Lord, If I was notSaved when I was 11, Lord I want to be now. I believe you are the onlySavior and if you are not already my Savior, come into my life rightnow. That settled the matter. No more doubts for me. It’s great to besaved and sure!
There are some scripture passages that really helped make Salvationclear to me.
SALVATION IS A GIFT & CANNOT BE EARNED
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and thatnot of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any manshould boast.”
CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY OF SALVATION
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and thelife: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”
I AM A SINNER
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
THE PENALTY FOR SIN IS DEATH…SEPARATION FROM GOD IN HELL
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God iseternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
CHRIST PAID FOR MY SINS WITH THE SHEDDING OF HIS BLOOD
I Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed withcorruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversationreceived by tradition by your fathers; But with the PRECIOUS BLOOD OFCHRIST [my emphasis], as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
I MUST PERSONALLY CALL ON THE LORD IN BELIEF
Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.”
David L. Brown