Note: Below is my salvation testimony, which I wrote in 1984. I trust it will be a blessing to you.

Saved while attending St. John’s

That's right, I was saved while attending St. John's University. What was I saved from? Here's my story, friend.

I was searching for peace. Have you ever asked, "Does God love the world?" or in a more personal way, "Does God love me?" Many people, even the religious, in moments of despair or bewilderment have asked these questions. I know that before I had been born again I asked these very same questions, cursing God at times yet crying out to Him for help. My church taught me that if I oberyed what it commanded I had a good chance of going to Heaven when I died. At times it was comforting. After all, I was trying my best. What more could God want? I took the sacraments and confessed my sins regularly. I was afraid if I didn't that too much sin would build up on my soul and this would result in my going to Hell.

But as a young man in my teens it became sadly clear that I was unable to keep God's Law. No matter how much I would confess sin and ask God's forgiveness, I would go out and sin again, many times the same sin. I was miserable and for long periods of time tried not to think about it.

At the age of 22, while going to St. John's University, my searching led me into a nearby city to seek out a church where the Gospel was preached. (Let me point out here that no church can ever save anyone; only Jesus Christ can save.)

John 14:6 – "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Over the years I had been reading the Bible and became convinced of its authority and truth. I distinctly remember reading the words of Christ in Matthew.

Matthew 4:4 – "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

My confidence in church tradition continually dwindled. I believed the answer to getting right with God was somehow wrapped up in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

Because I wanted a church that preached and practiced only the Bible, it wasn't long before God led me to a fundamental Baptist church. I determined to be discerning and critical, so I asked many questions and even took notes. I had heard evangelical messages before, but never with such clarity and directness. During these few weeks I recall my mind drifting back to my parochial school days at St. Raphaels's. It was there I first learned that one could never have the assurance of salvation (this is still part of the church's official teaching). Most of my life I accepted this and felt that those who said they were "saved" were blasphemously boasting before God. The Bible says something different, however; these verses in particular made an impact on me:

John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life";

Romans 10:13 – "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved";

I John 5:13 – "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

I finally believed! After all those years of tying to gain eternal life by good works, I learned that the criteria for salvation is faith—complete trust and confidence in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Yes, what a wonderful thing that salvation is a free gift (grace) through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23b – ". . . the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord."

However, salvation is expensive to God because it was bought with Jesus' precious blood which He shed for our sins when He died on the cross.

Ephesians 1:7 – "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace."

Furthermore, don't be deceived by your own righteousness.

Titus 3:5 – "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Those who have not accepted Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior are Hell-bound sinners before a Holy God (II Peter 2). The Bible describes Hell as a fiery lake of eternal torment (Luke 16:23-24; Revelation 21:8). It is an awful place and not to be ignored. You may say, "God is too loving to send anyone to Hell." I answer that statement by asking, "If sinners were not in danger of going to Hell, why then did Christ suffer the agonizing death on the cross?" Do you recall my first question at the beginning of this tract? "Does God love the world?" Jesus' death on the cross, answers that question. God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins.

Romans 5:8 – "But God commendeth (showed) His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

By this act God's love to the world is magnified immeasurably to everyone.

II Peter 3:9b – ". . . [God is] not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Man's sin nature and the devil cause many men to reject that love and go their own way. The misery, evil and heartache of the world go on and will continue to go on until Christ comes again in glory (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

But God has given a new birth to the Christian by the Holy Spirit; he need not fear the penalty for sin. Instead, there is victory in Jesus and a joyous assurance of eternal life in Heaven.

The night I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, January 1, 1982, I have never regretted. The road I've walked has not been easy at times; the world and the devil hate the Christian (John 15:19). But my Savior has always been there and He has promised never to leave me or foraske me (Matthew 28:20). How about you, friend? Jesus died for you and right now He stands at your heart's door knocking.

Revelation 3:20 – "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him."

Have you asked Jesus Christ to save you? Why not do so right now? "Behold, now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).