BAPTISM AND REAFFIRMATION TESTIMONIES
I Will Rely on God Alone
Khoo Jun Jie
I first came to know Christ ten years ago. I was in secondary school, and a girl whom I had a crush on invited me to a gospel outreach event for teens. Being young and all, I agreed – not knowing what was in store for me.
My first brush with Christianity is therefore in a Charismatic church, much like many other teens of my age who were swept by the ‘revivals’ which were prevalent at that time. I cannot really remember what happened, but there was an altar call, and figuring I had nothing to lose, I confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Only God knows now if I only did it then because in my heart I wanted to impress the girl I liked by professing my faith in Christ!
I kept it a secret from my parents however, as they were not keen on me making such a choice given my tender years (and partly because it is a Charismatic church which always seems to attract bad press for being extravagant and ‘showy’). As a result I could only attend either cell group meetings or services – on a Saturday.
Needless to say in my first brush with Christianity I was left to fend for myself for quite a bit – for instance, how do we ‘experience’ the Holy Spirit working through us? Is speaking in tongues – essentially ecstatic gibberish – necessary to ‘show’ that we are filled with the Holy Spirit? Being new in the faith I just went where I was led, and did whatever I was told to do; or whatever I expected someone in my position would do.
Essentially, although I came to know more of His Word through sermons and messages, my spiritual growth eventually (unsurprisingly) plateaued and ground to a halt. Things did not get any better when my parents found out about my weekly clandestine ‘operation’. I eventually became a backslider once I entered into a new phase of my life after completing A levels – NS.
I was left in the wilderness for a number of years – although I knew somehow at the back of my mind that a time will come when I will need to return, as a lost sheep to the flock. Which flock? I deigned to put that aside each time the thought cropped up. I realise now that throughout all this time, the Lord was gently nudging me back to Him – to resume a relationship which I absconded from for the ‘riches’ of the world and the pride of life.
I was acquainted with Christians once again in university, and I somehow ended up going through an ‘Alpha’ course in school organised by some Christians in school – ironically again as a result of interacting with a girl whom I had a crush on. Although I recalled all the ‘head knowledge’ I once knew before, I still had doubts in my heart as to whether the timing was right: there were more pressing worldly matters to attend to! Such as grades, and my ever-unfruitful attempts at getting into a relationship, thinking that it would be my passport to emotional stability and a good, ideal life which everyone around me seemed to have.
Time passed while I resisted and procrastinated on getting back to God and His Word. I now found myself in a foreign land for six months where I was (literally) led through the valley of the shadow of death in the wilderness, alone; but as the Lord was not with me, I succumbed to temptation and sinned, the consequences of which were life-changing: for in an instant everything I had worked so hard for turned into dust. I only barely escaped with my liberty and physical well-being intact through the providence and mercy of God whom I turned to for help at last in desperation when all seemed lost. My pride, lusts and obstinacy had left God with no choice – instead of mere nudges, it was more of a shove this time. I was really humbled to the dust. Shamed and shunned by the world, whatever fight I had in me evaporated – there were times when I even (foolishly) contemplated suicide to end it all!
It can only be down to God’s ever-timely desiderative will that I was comforted by the many people He has placed in my life – who did not condemn but instead walked with me as I resumed this long walk to our heavenly home once again. I was convicted of my sins and confessed them all to God through much prayer and with a repentant heart. How truly and wonderfully liberating and comforting this is for my starving soul! Psalm 51, especially verses 7 to 12, spoke so truly and clearly of the situation I found myself in. For although now I have made peace with God, I still had to face to the consequences of man – and indeed, now with the Lord Jesus Christ as intercessor, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Ps 23:4). The Lord has preserved for me through His grace and mercy friends who proved faithful, and new friends even (in True Life when I was eventually led here)! And surely this time I will not resist the call to repentance once again. Indeed, I believe I will never have found it in myself to return to Him given my insidious pride and stubbornness had the Lord not permitted these events to take place. In this I am reminded of Hebrews 12:6-7 – “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
It struck me even now as I am typing this – how our lives are like a clock: there is the outward movement of the hands, yet there is an invisible hand working behind it all. For “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). I have found my portion in the Lord. I have learnt to be patient and humble in all things, and just simply place my trust in God – for our all-knowing and mighty Heavenly Father will surely give what is good for us in His perfect time. And through it all, I thank the Lord for providentially granting me this privilege to worship Him in a genuine Bible-believing and defending church in the form of TLBPC, away and protected from the tidal waves of charismatism, ecumenism, ignorance and unbelief out there in the world which has, sadly, enveloped many who profess to know and love Christ.
Never again shall I depend on the praises and acceptance of men for my happiness, but I will rely on God alone, now and forever. I could never have made it through the emotional catastrophes of past year had I continued to rely on my own (non-existent) strength and will. I thank the Lord always for turning my life around from the edge of total ruin in the nick of time. May the Lord help me lead a life here on earth that is glorifying to Him. Amen.
Jesus Was Calling Me
Isaac Tan
I was born into a Christian family. When I was born, both my parents were Christians. When I was old enough, my parents brought me to Sunday School to learn about Christ Jesus. At times, I wondered if Jesus was real, or if He was a fake God. In school, I asked my classmates what their religions were. Majority of my classmates told me they were Muslims, Buddhists. When I told them I was a Christian, they told me they did not know who Jesus was. Some even laughed at me for believing in Jesus Christ. I was dissuaded from coming to church. I did not like to go to church and would come up with excuses so that I would not go to church.
However, one night, God’s voice called out to me. I was doubtful at first, but after a while, I was certain Jesus was calling unto me. When I heard God’s voice, I thought He wanted me to obey and trust in Him. After that experience, I started going to church with my parents. As the weeks went by, I learnt more about the Christ of God. As I read the Bible, I realized that God is a true and living God. Up till today, I still go to church with my family weekly and continue learning more about Jesus Christ.
God Is My Helper
Leah Tan
My name is Leah Tan. I live in a Christian family. I started going to church since young. When I first started going to church at a very small age, I learnt that Jesus is 100% God and Man and also He is all powerful, wise and spiritual. God is always ready to help us if we are ready to accept His help. Jesus is the Mediator between God and man to restore our relationship with God. God helped me in my studies when I needed help in my small test, and also when I was injured He helped me to be brave.
The Word to Me Is Spiritual Food
Marko
Before I came to know the Lord, I was an idol worshipper. My whole family is a non-Christian family. But with God’s amazing power I came to know Him despite my whole family being non-believers. In 2011, I was brought to church by my tuition teacher and in church I studied faithfully about how Jesus died for us. And from there I grew spiritually. And now I am still very keen in knowing more. The Word to me is indeed spiritual food. I thank the Lord.
I Need to Strengthen My Faith
Hazel Zhang
I was born into a Christian family and attended New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church for 15 years. I learnt about God and His Word through Sunday School. As I grew older, I needed to reaffirm my faith and I also needed to learn more about God’s Word. Recently, I confessed that I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. As time passes, I need to understand more about God and His Word to strengthen my faith. I am thankful for His goodness and mercy.
God Has Become My Heavenly Father
Stuart Gabriel Yeo
My name is Stuart Gabriel Yeo. I am 12 years old and come from a Christian family. I was baptised as an infant. Being young, I do not have life-changing experiences that made me turn 360 degrees to GOD. However, I see bountiful blessings which the LORD my GOD has provided for me. For example, loving parents who take good care of me, caring grandparents who encourage me, and the many supportive relatives I have. Although sadly, my father has passed away, I still feel happy as he now has eternal life in heaven. Now GOD has become my Heavenly Father whom I can depend on.
I know that Christ was born of a virgin, conceived of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, He was 100% GOD and 100% man, so He was the only one that could save us from our sins. Every time I sinned, I would go to GOD in prayer and repent to Him. Immediately, I know that GOD is a merciful GOD and He has forgiven me, so I thank Him.
I thank GOD for giving me this life, for helping me to believe in him early from the beginning, and most of all, I thank GOD for giving me such a wonderful and caring family. I believe in GOD, knowing that in the end I will be cured of all my sins and that I will go to heaven, seeing our Almighty GOD and being with my loved ones once again. I feel that GOD is everywhere I go.
