treshay

Well, I don't know how many times it's "required", probably only once. But today at our evening worship I went to the front of the church to be saved. I've done this a few times in my life but this time I actually knew what I was doing...let me explain. When my sister in law and I decided we wanted to start going to church we decided we would go to one for a few weeks then try another out until we found one that worked for us - figuring we'd end up in different churches because everyone has different preferences. Anyways, the first church we went to at the end of the sermon the Pastor said "Please raise your hand if you need Jesus in your life, if you know that you can't do this alone" well, we both raised our hands assuming everyone else would as well because who doesn't need Him....and if your at church you are usually willing to admit that you need Him. After we had raised our hands he announced that those of us raising our hands would be ushered to the front to be saved....and so on. So we went up front without realizing why. I was sort of in a state of shock when I was up there since I feel it was a bit tricky of him to do that, so I didnt really think about what was happening and I don't feel like it was legitimate.

Well today at the end of the sermon I raised my hand and I knew why. I have been going to that church for nearly 6 months now so it seemed sort of silly, especially since I"m very involved and alot of people recognize me - they are probably all thinking "What is she doing up there" but I did it anyways. I had to do it though, I felt that I had to go up there and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and dedicate my life to Him sincerely. I was shaking but I did it and I'm proud of myself! Next step is water baptism - which I've already done before too but I really just feel like I need to rededicate my life to Him so I'm sort of starting fresh.

Oh - and when I went to the front they took me into a back room and prayed with me and gave me a few books. Some very nice ones - one of them is sort of like a concordance that I can look up something - like Love - and find all the verses in the Bible that talk about it. I also got a Bible, just the New Testament but it's nice because it's thin and I can carry it everywhere I go.

Boanerges

One can never commit their heart to many times to Christ treshay! I rejoice with you that you are willing to give all to come to a deeper knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!

gratefulgrace

I had kind of a similar experienceexcpt I willingly did accept Jesus as my saviour when I was 13 and was baptized in my local church. However as a teenage when I would go to Youth for Christ rallies and there was an alter call I would feel such a tug in my spirit. I always resisted going forward for prayer as I "knew" I was saved. But it was always so strong a conviction on me. I even spent a year at bible school after high school. But then fell away from true dependence on God while in my college years. After marriage the Holy Spirit continued to work in my life and I eventually received Him into my life for real. I had only had a head knowledge fueled my the intellect before it had never been a heart conversion to Christ. Or at least if it was I had no spiritual power in my life to live for Christ. After the baptism in the Holy Spirit Jesus became so real to me and the Holy Spirit was a tangible presence in my life. I was strugging about it for awhile but finally was rebaptized at well. It was the right thing to do. I have never ever felt the need to get resaved or rebaptized Praise God and that was 36 years ago. gratefulgrace

Rumely

I rejoice with you! I think it's safe to say you'll never be the same again. I needed to hear something like this as I spent some time on another forum (I'm so ashamed) and was feeling a little down with all the threads involving people falling away from faith.
May God grant you endurance for the race ahead. Looking forward to that glorious, victorious day when you snap the ribbon at the finish line and fall into the loving arms of Jesus.