Baptism Challenge - Day 8
Creating a great baptism testimony - part 2
Welcome to Day 8 of the Baptism Challenge!
Here's the scripture in today's video: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (English Standard Version)
Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (New International Version)
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (King James Version)
How You can Create a Great Baptism Testimony - Part 2
Today, we'll keep working on your baptism testimony.
A good second question to answer is, “How did God bring me to the place of being ready to be saved?”
Let’s Read the way Paul described some people’s journey toward confession of sin in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
How Did God Convict you of sin?
What Paul is talking about in this passage is what Christians often call conviction.
Conviction is a blessing from the Holy Spirit, because it’s what wakes us up to the reality of how empty a life of sin truly is. Conviction from the Holy Spirit is what makes us aware of our need to repent or turn away from our sin.
Do you remember when the Holy Spirit convicted you of your sin and you realized your need to repent?
Where were you and what were you doing?
Maybe you were listening to a preacher.
Maybe a friend was sharing the Gospel with you.
Maybe you were sitting alone, reading the Bible.
What does it mean to be sorry for my sin?
There are many ways that the Holy Spirit will use to get our attention, but for the Christian there comes a point where we’re not just sorry about the consequences of our sin.
We don’t just wish things were different.
We come face to face with the reality that our sin brings death and destruction,
and we must truly repent for our sins and ask God’s forgiveness.
How to be clear in your baptism testimony
Then, share how you responded to God's call to repentance and salvation?
Your friends may need to hear someone clearly tell in their own words, how they became a Christian. It would be good to mention specifically that you repented of sin, and believed in Jesus alone for your salvation.
You see, some people think becoming a Christian is just a new habit of going to church, or doing good things – they need to know that salvation only comes by faith in Jesus, not by picking up a few new habits or "turning over a new leaf." Becoming a Christian is a miracle of faith, not a New Year's resolution!
Today's Challenge to Get Ready For Your Baptism: Answer the question, “How did God bring me to the place of being ready to be saved?”