My Testimony

 Introduction

As of this January (2024) I have been a Christian for nearly 18 years. And I would like to give a brief outline of my Journey. I have over the last 6-7 years spoken about it; giving some of the high points and even some low points. But I have never sat down to write it out. But now I think it is the most opportune time to do so. 

I. How it all begin!

In October 2005, my first exposure to the gospel took place, while it was not the time in which I had given my life to Christ and became one of His faithful saints. It, however, did have an important role to play; for there was no outward hostility towards what I heard but a simple interest.  But looking back now I would say it merely on a human level as to what was being said. I do not recall exactly what the scripture that was being spoken as it was possibly a part of a verse.  Still I walked away not really having any impact from it on a deeper level as scriptures have on me now.   However, as time went on in early December of that same year, some colleagues from the job i had at the time– which was as a cleaner on behalf of Asda had been talking to me for at least a month, it was through these discussions and the kind of life they lived and how their lives were reflections of their faith and what they held to be true in accords to scriptures that drew me to the faith, that brought a positive response of faith out of me within the month.  

From January 2006-Oct 2007, I had been doing Sundays; and therefore, could not go to church on a permanent basis; but still was able to attend a church from Mid 2007 occasionally.  But even then such a thing was not enough, so I fought for Sundays off to  attend the church on a permanent basis.  The church I had gone along to with some friends (and perhaps through their desire for me to go to) was located in Old Brook called the Christian centre.  Here I got a steady diet of teaching which I thought, at the time, to be good and very welcoming. But to my ignorance this church had brought into a popular idea called marketing strategy which had been spearheaded by a man called Peter Schueller; and then adopted and adapted with a more seeker sensitive motive by Rick Warren who had put out two books Purpose Driven Church (1995; never read) and then later Purpose Driven Life (2004; have read). Christian Centre had completely based its existence on this very philosophy where they deal with man felt needs rather than the more important factor which is the deeper need; every sermon was structured to cater to that; and then, themed not based on scriptures but on what is popular at the time– such as movies and music. .  

And, of course, I had been completely sold out to it from as early as April 2008. Between August-0ctober of 2008, after some serious reflection, I took the step of committing my life to Christ by means of an outward dedication known as Baptism. While I do see the church as being full of error now– but I can not view my baptism as being illegitimate in any way.  But after 1 ½  years I became disillusioned by it and  tried for a further year or more to remain there but many things had started to weigh heavily upon my conscience and eventually it drove me away from the church at the beginning of 2011. However, for about 4 or 5 months after removing myself from the church I still continued to be a part of the small group as I still desired fellowship.  Now going back to 2009-2011, there was one clear resolve and that was the fact that the Gospel was being treated like something that second rate as if it had no real foundation to the church. But one thing that I do thank them; for it’s the fact that it was through several challenges to read the New Testament for thirty days. And I did; but what I did not tell them is that on the second and third challenges I read it for longer periods of time; and I am glad I did because I began to see many things which led me to think that what I was being taught was biblically insufficient. And perhaps, they were even false based on scriptural teaching. 

This short study which garnered the begin of what would later form the basis of what I have become since started out with wanting to know about the three central truths:  first, what I had to believe regarding scriptures– their full and final authority and their sufficiency for giving me an understanding of what I had come to believe.  Second, what it was that Christ had achieved in His cross work; and how that applied to me as a Christian. Third,  The core truth of the gospel of God and Christ.  Or to put that in more simple terms the pillars of the reformation: Sola Scriptura; Sola Fide; Solae gracia; Sola Christos; and Soli de Gloria. But it was the first two which took some time to really understand and appreciate; and then from there onwards the others became easier to accept. These studies bring us to the year 2013 where I had been convinced of the truth of each of these points according to the testimony of scriptures.

And it was in this time that I had come across a system of theology that I had seen through simple reading of scriptures known as Reformed Theology (or Calvinism).  

II. Where my study had led me!

So we have arrived in 2013; but it is wise to go back to 2010-2011 to just pick up the theme of the doctrines of grace (and reformed theology). As I have said I was starting to see the truth of this understanding of scriptures even before I had heard or read anything on the subject simply by reading the scriptures. And of course just to make the point they are:  Total or Radical Depravity;  Unconditional Election;  Limited Atonement or Particular Redemption; Irresistible Grace; and Perseverance of the Saints.  Each of these doctrines are derived from scripture ; and does not simply find harmony or consistency with scriptures  as some systems appear to be.   Let me get back to the point: reformed theology is not only consistent with but is derived from scriptures. However, the overarching foundation is God’s Sovereignty. 

At this point,  my understanding on who God was even evolved in a small manner: I was seeing that the scriptures called three different “persons”  God (the Son: John 1:1-5; The Spirit: Acts 5:1-5; The Father: Matthew 22: 34-40). And until I listened to Apologist  and author James White on the doctrine of the Trinity in 2010 that I could finally see what I had already accepted biblically.  And this truth must be the defining reality of all that the scriptures teach us on every level: take salvation, for example: the Father is the great architect; the Son is the great executer; and the Spirit is the great applier of what has taken place in us. 

Moving along now till 2013-2015, these two years were very informative for me as it was not so much time I took to know what I believed; but rather how what I believe is all connected.  To me, this is one of the most fruitful endeavours I had taken up as I believe that it is important to know how doctrines such as justification and sanctification are to both distinguished as two truth; and yet, at the same time, they are not completely disconnected: for there is a very fine line that runs from one point to another.  It is as Paul tells us that “those who are justified shall be glorified”  (Rm. 8:30) And yet implicitly understood is the fact that one has to be sanctified in order for them to be glorified. So now at the end of 2014 I felt that it was time to look for a Church; for 3 years without fellowship is not a wise thing; even if sometimes it is necessary in order to disentangle the false teaching from one's soul. And between Nov 2014 and May 2015 that same year I attended several churches and watched services of other prospective churches. But none of them panned out as they were not strong on doctrine. 

Now the last week of May was significant for two reasons:  first, it was at this time I learnt of a new Christian bookshop that had just opened in Stony Stratford; and so I went to see what kind of shop it was (as there were not many; and some I had previously visited were not very good).  However, this one far exceeded my expectations as there were more works by men who I had come across in other avenues who had written books. And there were books by others who I had not yet considered but thankful I did as they soon became important sources for my spiritual growth.  And I can say that it is a true blessing for Christian everywhere.   Second,  it was through the owner of this shop that I was able to find a church that fit the requirements that I had in mind. I went to one of the churches that I was told of; and found that the teaching was sound; and the fellowship was what I had been looking for– I have been there for the past 6 ½  years.  

This really covers much of my theological leanings which I have written on other manners such as Articles and Sermons.

III. Always reforming in my understanding.

In the reformational context, a Lutheran Pastor called Jodocus van Lodenstein, came up with this slogan  “semper reformanda”  which simple and as best as I can express it, means that the church has to always be reforming itself according to the Word of God.  Another way this can be expressed is this: every tradition, every church confession or creed, every Christian philosophy must at all times be held captive or subjected to the authority of scriptures. And this principle should be understood by all Christians at all times.    

Over the last few years my understanding of many scriptural passages such as Romans 6 which I did not fully understand until 2017-18; and doctrines have gone through a kind of evolution of understanding. To give an example, it is my understanding that in the act of  being born again; i held to the idea of this being one single action for a long period of time. But for a little time I have begun to see it as two distinct aspects of one event:  First you have the work of regeneration or the implanting life in the soul of man which the Spirit brings about independently of any other source.  Then second, you have the work of new birth which is the bringing forth a new creation and also the means of living in a godly manner.   But I do  say that even if a Christian holds to the single act of understanding; it will not be something that we should fight over because both still hold to the truth that this work is essential to being a Christian. It is simply a more fruitful way to understand what takes place in my estimation. 

It is always my belief that being a Christian involves space not to just grow spiritually (as it should); but to grow in your understanding of the scriptures because no matter how long one has been a Christian you will always have areas where you may either need to come to a beginners understanding such as the end times; or where you may need need further reflection and clarity on something you thought you understood but may have only had a partial understanding thereof.  

Over the last two years (2022-2024) a lot more changes have taken place in my journey as a Christian– and I suppose it all came to head with the lockdown due to the Coronavirus. But we do not need to get into that too much as it is a world wide matter. However, for the sake of my own journey it played a vital role in bringing to light some very important steps in the process that I would like to share. But to understand these we need to know that the former church I was apart of for 7 years till 2022 I left because of a massive power abuse from one of those who was in the position of an elder– which in my opinion was not handled scripturally; and therefore, still exists at the heart of the Church even if they have moved past it. Let us now note these steps:

1. My first realisation that Calvinism breeds arrogant and clearly deceived individuals who think they know better than anyone else.  Consider, for example, the way that some are quick to accuse Christians who do not hold to their ideas of being false Christians (and I admit I was one). It breeds a “us vs. them” mentality.

2. My second realisation is that the state-church (institutional Christendom) has usurped the true church (biblical ecclesiology)– this took place around 325 ad. And one of the clearest attestations to this is in the top-down approach (the hierarchical clergy/laity divide). Again it breeds the same corrupt thinking.

3. My third realisation is that systematic theology in all its varied forms– particularly reformed variety does untold spiritual damage to all who come upon it. And more so, when it comes to our relationship Christ and his word– to read the scriptures through such a frame or grid only causes us to miss the bigger picture that takes more than a few verses. 

So while I am not speaking for everyone– I do believe that this is a view that many have come to through their own independent journey– at least in regards to some points.