My Testimony - by Linette Bittle
I went to church all my life, and don't remember a time when I didn't pray. At times I would grow cold but would be drawn back to prayer. We began attending the church here in Paoli four years ago, then stopped for over 2 years. In early 2006, two of my daughters were baptized in Jesus' name, and I felt such a tug, but had been taught to believe in the Trinitarian formula of baptism.
I began a Bible study, asking lots of questions, wanting to be sure what they taught was for me. After watching others go forward for prayer and receive wonderful blessings, I finally went up and was prayed for, wanting peace of mind. I raised my hands and it felt wonderful. I spoke in tongues but wasn't sure I'd received the Holy Ghost. I started studying the Bible, trying to determine whether I needed to be re-baptized in Jesus' name (I'd been baptized at least 4 times previously) and whether I could actually have the Holy Ghost before I'd been "saved and sanctified" as I'd believed most of my life. I spoke in tongues a few times after that, and one night when the Lord was pouring out His Spirit all over the congregation, I KNEW I had been filled with the Holy Ghost.
I had a dream: Pastor Erwin wanted to baptize me, but my husband said, "If you do that, you know you will die, don't you?" I asked the pastor if that was true, and he looked at me and said, "Yes, yes, you will." I started crying, saying I wanted to be baptized but didn't want to die. When I woke up, I was really crying. It wasn't long until I understood the dream.
Studying one day, I read Acts 2:38. It wasn't the first time, but this time it hit me. Repent first, be baptized in Jesus' name for the remission of sin. Wow! You can't say it any more clearly. Even though I was afraid of dying, I left Pastor Erwin know I wanted to be baptized on a Sunday night. I was ready to tell him I'd changed my mind, but didn't get a chance. He announced my decision to the congregation, and I was scared and shaking, dizzy with fear, as I went to get ready. Sister Erwin put her arms around me and prayed for me. I stepped down into the water, Pastor Erwin said a few words, and then baptized me. I came out of the water filled with peace. The "old man" died, and a new creature emerged. I'm still growing, determined to be a good Christian, wanting to help others find the truth and be rid of fear4. Thank God, He didn't give up on me. I've received His great love and forgiveness and want to live His way from now on.
