There’s something very pure and powerful about attending a baptism. As you watch these new believers stand before their church, family and friends and share what Christ has done in their lives it can be quite moving. For who can deny that God has revealed himself to them? There they stand and now testify of a blessed assurance as countless Christians before them? Just as the blind man said in John 9: “One thing I know, I was blind but now I can see”. God has revealed himself to them and now they have embarked on their own journey of faith with Him.
Below is one such testimony from Matt Ebeling, who became a Christian this past year and has been such a immense blessing to so many as he grows in his personal faith. I hope and trust these words are an encouragement as you read them. Enjoy!
“Many of you will have heard, perhaps even more than once(!), about my journey to faith. I am going to share it again as it’s what led me to being here today.
Last year, while at work, I read an advert by the Christian Police Association offering a free “Sussex Police New Testament”, I immediately knew that I really wanted to receive one. I then started to look online into the work of the Christian Police Association as I didn’t know anything about them.
At first what they believe in all seemed a bit too heavy for me, but I kept thinking about it and after a couple of days, I had another look at their website and, in that moment, I found that I believed too. I ticked the box, both literally and spiritually, which confirmed that I had accepted Jesus as my personal saviour. So, on the 16th December 2018, I was reborn as a true believer.
After this I felt called to Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church and I came here for the first time on the 20th January this year. All of you made me feel so welcome. I instantly felt happy and at home here, so thank you all so much. I didn’t realize before coming here that this is a Bible believing and Bible teaching Church. It’s incredible learning from Graham each week about the Bible. Since coming here, I have learned from his inspiring teaching about being saved by grace through faith, as it says in Ephesians 2:8. I now clearly understand that I can’t earn this and I haven’t deserved it. It’s a freely given gift from God. What can be more amazing than that?
My spiritual rebirth and being certain of my salvation has transformed my life, past, present and future and has given me a constant feeling of joyousness. I have accepted the invitation in Acts 22:16: “What are you waiting for? Get up be baptised.” Today is the day of my baptism, my Adult Believer Water Baptism. It’s a public display of my Christian faith, in front of you, my family and friends and my Christian brothers and sisters and the rest of the world.
Thank you so much for all the love and support you have given me and for sharing this special moment with me today.”
Matt Ebeling
