Sharon's Gospel page

Sharon's Gospel Page

* Introduction * The Gospel * Evidence *
* How to Become a Christian *
* What about Works? * What about other Faiths? *

You may have read my testimony and thought, well, I was brought up with Christian teaching so obviously, that's why I am a Christian today, right? (My husband, who is not a Christian, is quick to point out to me that "statistics" reveal that people tend to continue in the faith in which they were brought up. I don't know about statistics, but the Bible does confirm this: Proverbs 22 v 6)

I'll be the first to admit that I was introduced to this faith as a child, but I wasn't indoctrinated to the point that I can't think for myself! Of course, I had learnt Bible verses in my childhood such as:

"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name
under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved"
Acts 4 v 12

Of course, I believed it when I learnt it, but gradually I began to question it. I saw so many muslims, hindus and others in this country: devout, god-fearing*(more info) people who prayed and worshipped regularly compared with wishy-washy part-time "Christian" social club members who didn't even believe the Bible, and then, of course, I saw "humanitarian" people of all races with no god to worship but who did such great works of compassion such as aid-workers in war-torn parts of the world. No-one seemed to be telling these people about Jesus (perhaps because the Christians didn't feel worthy to do so? Perhaps rightly so?) What of them?

How could it be that people like me who hadn't particularly done anything "good" in their lives (or for that matter had done so many "bad" things?!) were claiming that their Way was the only way to God?

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But in fact,
This is the nature of the Gospel:

Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and no-one comes to the Father but by Him!

If you think you can earn a ticket to heaven by being good, think again! The Bible says that our own "righteousness" is like filthy rags: tainted by the sin present in all of our lives. The plain fact is that nothing "good" that we can do can cancel out that sin. But thankfully we are not doomed, God loved His creation so much that He provided a way. In the Old Testament of the Bible, the Israelites had to go to a priest who would sacrifice an unblemished lamb to "atone" or pay for the people's sins. This temporary solution was in lieu of the awaited ultimate sacrifice which would end all other sacrifice, as it would pay once and for all for the sins of all people: an unblemished "lamb": a man without sin, and yet the Bible tells us that "all have sinned", and so God sent His Son, who knew no sin, to be "sin" for us; that is, to pay the penalty of sin (death) on our behalf.

"For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life" John 3 v 16

It is through faith in Jesus (and not by works, lest any man should boast) who alone lived a perfect life without sin that we are able to meet with a Holy God who cannot look upon sin. It is by His blood that our sins are washed away, by his sacrificial death that we are ransomed, and by whose resurrection we are brought to eternal life!

So, what was it that convinced me? I continued to go to church even through my deepest time of doubt, because I was searching for the Truth, and last year I went along to a Helen Shapiro concert. Helen gave her testimony of how, as a Jew, she had come to know the Messiah, Y'shua (Jesus) through being pointed to prophesies about the Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament part of our Bible). Suddenly, the puzzle pieces came together for me and I saw how the Old Testament confirmed the New and the New Testament fulfilled the Old. (Isn't it funny the way things are revealed to us: we can study for years and come up with nothing, and then the truth can be revealed in an instant, when you least expect it!)

"So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" Romans 10:17

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Take a look at the Evidence of Prophecy

Here are some of the Old Testament prophesies which are fulfilled in the New Testament:-

Messiah would be...

	Old Testament	New Testament Fulfillment
The seed of Abraham	Genesis 12 v 3, 18 v 18	Luke 3 v 34, Matthew 1 v 2, Acts 3 v 25, Galatians 3 v 16
Of the tribe of Judah	Genesis 49 v 10	Luke 3 v 33, Matthew 1 v 2
Of the seed of Jacob	Numbers 24 v 17, 19	Matthew 1 v 2, Luke 3 v 34
Of the seed of David	Psalm 132 v 11, Jeremiah 23 v 5, 33 v 15, Isaiah 11 v 10	Matthew 1 v 6, Luke 1 v 32-33, Romans 1 v 3, Acts 2 v 30
Born of a virgin	Isaiah 7 v 14	Matthew 1 v 18-25, Luke 1 v 26-35
Born in Bethlehem	Micah 5 v 2	Matthew 2 v 1, Luke 2 v 4-6
Betrayed by a friend	Psalm 41 v 9	John 13 v 18, 21
[Pictures of the Crucifixion]	Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 Psalm 69 v 21	Matthew 27 v 34-50, John 19 v 28-30
Raised from the dead	Psalm 16 v 10	Acts 13 v 35-37

This is just a very small selection of the Old Testament prophesies which are fulfilled in the New Testament! If you're still not convinced, read Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53! If you're hungry for more, take a look at the Jews for Jesus website.

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How to become a Christian

There seems to be so much confusion about this simple question! I've already mentioned above, that it's not by works: we are not saved from our sins by good deeds! Salvation is a gift of God. So how do you receive this wonderful gift?

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and Thou shalt be saved"
Acts 16 v 32

This gift is on offer to all, but you can't receive it unless you accept it. The day of Salvation is now! Don't delay, take the opportunity while you still can!

I cannot promise you an easy road: becoming a follower of Christ is not the easy option - when you swear allegiance to the Lord you step into battle, but you can know that you are on the winning side.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

Read the prayer that follows and if you can, say it (or in your own words) with sincerity aloud to God now:

"Father God, I just want to acknowledge that I have sinned, and want to turn away from sin and toward you now. I ask your forgiveness and pray that you would come in to my life. I believe that you sent your son, Jesus, to die in my place and I gratefully accept your gift right now"

Hallelujah! "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth!" Luke 15:10

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Discipleship

If you make that step and commit your life to the Lord today, there are three important things I would advise you to do:

PRAY
Make that prayer just the beginning of a 'relationship with God', and carry on talking to Him in prayer! I'll be the first to admit that it's not easy. To begin with it feels like a one-way conversation with thin air. This 'relationship' takes building, and prayer is where you do it. Pray every day, say "Grace", share your joy and pain with the Lord.

"What a friend we have in Jesus ...What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer"!

Prayer is powerful because it's through answering prayer that God works. It's probably the most important thing, and the devil knows it and will try to discourage you all he can. But don't be discouraged and don't give up. It may help to find a 'mature' Christian to teach you how to pray, perhaps by praying with you once a week.

READ THE BIBLE
Do you have a Bible? If you do, just open it up and read it! If you don't, try to get hold of one as soon as possible; although there are dozens of different translations into English, the traditional 'Authorised' or King James Version remains unsurpassed. If you don't feel that you're ready to read the King James on its own yet, you might like to get a Good News in modern English to read alongside the King James until you get used to its language. Start off by reading about Jesus' ministry on earth in the "New Testament" with one of the "Gospels" (which means good news), Mark's gospel is usually recommended, followed by Acts [the acts of the Apostles, or the acts of the Holy Spirit, which is the first history of the early church] and the "epistles", or letters to the churches (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians etc) before you go on to the "Old Testament". Look here for some recommendations. [To return, just click on the "back" link.]

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17"

Later on you may like to buy or borrow a 'study Bible' or 'Bible Handbook', which gives some background and commentary on each book (make sure it's compatible with your version). You could also get a Bible dictionary & concordance to help acquaint yourself with Biblical terminology.

To help you with your daily Bible reading, daily notes are available in Christian bookshops, for example,Owen, or you may be able to Wesley order one called Our Daily Bread which is an American one. It's the one I have used for years and would recommend it. They supply their literature free but appreciate donations. You can also write to their office in England: Box 1, Carnforth, Lancs., England LA5 9ES.

FIND A CHURCH
Talk about this to God in prayer and ask him to help you to find a good, Bible-believing & -preaching church where you will be 'discipled' which means helped to grow in your new faith. (If you're feeling up to a challenge, you might like to try reading a book called "Discipleship" by David Watson. It is heavy-going but it speaks really powerfully about what being a disciple of Jesus is all about).

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17"

When you find a church, you may find that Christians don't live up to the name - the church is full of forgiven sinners, which is what the word 'saint' actually means. If, once we are "saved" we do not move away from our sins towards holiness, however, there's something drastically wrong. [Hebrews 10v26] But don't be tempted to look at other Christians too much. Examine your own heart but, above all, "Fix your eyes upon Jesus" [Hebrews 12v2].

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will go slowly dim in the light of His glory and grace"

Do all Paths Lead to God?

* Do not be mis-led! Those who say that "there are many paths to God" should really be saying "there are paths to many gods". It is important to be very clear on this point: followers of other religions (whom we should treat with love and respect since Christ died for them also) are NOT worshipping the same God as Christians and we believe, as the Bible teaches, that the God of Israel is the only one and true Living God. Worshipping other gods or idols is strictly forbidden in the Bible, by the first and second of the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:3) See also Deuteronomy chapter 5 v 7-8, chapter 6, especially verses 5-9 and 12-16 and the whole of chapter 13.

The one exception, of course, is Judaism, since it is the God of Israel, YHWH - pronounced Yahweh - [Jehovah] whom Christians worship. And yet, we - as they - are able to access YHWH only through a priest. (What, you say, do I need to go to God through a local "priest"? By no means!) Who is this Great High Priest, then? The awaited Messiah [Christ] Y'shua [Jesus], the Prophet, Priest and King, the Son of God, Emmanuel, and the "sacrificial lamb" who died to end all sacrifice and to reconcile to God all who accept Him.

Praise the Lord, many Jews are finding the Messiah in these days!

(note: words in bold = Hebrew, words in [brackets] = Greek)

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What about works?

Finally, a quick note on "good works": our Salvation does not rest on what we do but what Jesus did. However, don't think that becoming a Christian lets you "off the hook": if we are truly the Lord's, we will be motivated to work for Him. Read the New Testament book of James! The Lord's work includes of course, giving to the poor and so on (there are warnings throughout the Bible against neglecting mercy, compassion and justice) but by no means are we to neglect the Great Commission: to spread the Gospel. Don't be an "undercover Christian": Share the good news!

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An Invitation

If you are searching for the truth but are not yet convinced, I pray to God that He will 'open your eyes'. If you would like to have any more information about Jesus and Salvation, or about what Christians believe, or if you would like me to pray with you, contact me: littlebears@tesco.net

Wishing you every blessing
Sharon Mortemore

This page is added to my website today (30 March 1999) to celebrate Easter

He is Risen - Hallelujah!

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