Tony’s Testimony

Mine was not a Christian family and I went to a boarding school when aged 7.  Church attendance was compulsory Sunday mornings and evenings.  Thus I was brought up in the Anglican tradition, but that did not make me a Christian and on leaving school at 16 I ceased church attendance.

The Lord brought me through the ’39-’45 War and after a few years I met Audrey in Reading and I began going to church again.  We were married in Didcot Baptist Church in 1955 and in the same year moved to Aylesbury.

Audrey was a baptized believer and later became a member of a small fellowship which met at Quarrendon.  I often went to its services.  Moving to the South side of Aylesbury in 1967 brought us in touch with Limes Avenue Baptist Church.  Audrey eventually became a member and at times I went to the services.

In church circles there is much mention of the word “sin”.  It occurs in the Bible again and again.  It took some time for the meaning of this word in relation to God to sink into my understanding, for a dictionary definition of sin is “purposeful disobedience to the known will of God”.  The Apostle Peter told a crowd of people who were “cut to the heart” when he accused them of being involved in the crucifixion of Jesus," Repent and be baptized…so that your sins would be forgiven.”

After an evening service I was challenged when asked if I loved the Lord Jesus and answered that I did.  “Why don’t you get baptized?” was the reply.  And so I repented of my sin.  I was baptized and became a member of the Church.  In the words of the Apostle Paul I was now a new creation.

25 years later and 7 years after a serious illness, when carried along by much prayer of the fellowship at Limes Avenue and others, I give thanks that I can attend the church meetings, take part  in various activities, have many dear friends, know a wonderful Saviour and a Heavenly Father who cares for me. 

To Him be the glory!