E-mail Apostle Anselm Madubuko: [email protected]
Call: 017749951, 08037143729
Website: revivalassemblyintl.org
It is exciting to know that people are taking the most important decision in life to follow Jesus. People making decision for Christ is my personal motivation in this – especially for those who do not even go to church. I would like to hear from you about your salvation. However, there may be somebody reading this for the first time who God has positioned to be touched by it; or there may be somebody who had been following it but has not yet made up his mind for Christ. My prophesy to you is that today is your day of pitching your tent with the Lord of lords.
In Acts, chapter 2 verses 36 through to 39, Apostle Peter was speaking the very first time the gospel was preached. I like this scripture because it is the very beginning of Christianity. He says: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now, when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and your children, and to all that are afar off as many as the Lord our God will call”.
The words of Apostle Peter: Let every man and woman and creature know that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. This is an awesome truth. I say it to you also that Jesus is the Lord, the Christ, the Messiah and the Saviour. There is no other person that is qualified and described thus. Peter in other words is saying here that you have to know it as sure as life that God has made Jesus (whom you all crucified –because as long as you have not accepted Him you are guilty) both Lord and Saviour.
It is easy and natural to say that you did not crucify Him. As many as have not accepted Christ are guilty of crucifying Him. It was for our sake that He went to the cross and each time we reject Him, we further crucify Him. But you can be free from that guilt today. I believe that somebody reading this column today will repent and accept that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The Bible says in the scripture text we quoted that when the people heard Peter, they asked the Apostles: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” And Peter gave them the remedy: Repent and be baptized.
The order is first of all repentance and then followed by baptism. But people baptize before they repent. It does not work that way because baptism follows repentance. Baptism is not sprinkling of water. It is Imersion into water; and it is a sign of repentance- that you are dead to your sin and you are rising up to a newness of life. This is what the scripture teaches. Repentance is not for babies who do not have knowledge of sin. Somebody may ask: What happens when a baby dies? Every baby that dies goes to heaven. But when you get to the age of accountability, when you know what is good and what is bad, and you can decide to do good or you fail to accept Christ even as a child, you are going to hell. That is not the will of God, but it is the truth.
The important thing is to get to the point where you hear the gospel and you are able to make up your mind on what to do. This is the question you should ask yourself. This path I am following, the way I am living my life, is it going to take me to heaven? If the answer is yes, then continue. If the answer is no, then you have to make a U-Turn. How do you know the answer is yes? You know the answer is yes if you are there with Jesus. If you are heading to any direction that is not Jesus, I am sorry to tell you that that direction is wrong.
When Jesus said: “Follow me”, He knew that so many other so-called religious leaders are also going to look for people to follow them. But when you follow Jesus, He will lead you through the right path. You will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet you will fear no evil. You will pass through the waters, He will be with you; and pass through fire, but it will not burn you.
Peter says: “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” It is frightening how some people are not moved by the word of God; they are so hardened. It amazes me when people are presented with facts and they make light of it, saying it is nonsense, rubbish, devised fables and things made up to frighten people.
Friend, I do not have any need to make up things to frighten anybody; but my main concern with you is that your soul is important to God and He will pay any price to get to you. That is why somehow He has made it possible for you to be reading this column now. You need to repent from your ungodly ways and embrace Jesus. It does not matter who you are; the scripture says “Every one of you”.
These days, you cannot walk alone without Jesus because there are devils that want to badge in on you and lead you to the wrong things. These demons want you to live lives that would not be pleasing unto the Lord. But God is merciful; He is faithful. He is a good God. You have rejected Him before but He is still calling you.
Friend, I tell you that there is still hope for you. If you are reading this truth, that means you can repent – and you can be forgiven. As you are reading this, your mind is saying to you that this is the truth. People close to you – your husband, your wife, your parents, your friends and relations, or even your religion, may not agree with what I am saying, but God knows and you know it in your heart that I am telling you the truth. Something in you is saying: this is the right way. So, why don’t you defy all odds and say yes to Jesus.
Beloved, it is time for repentance. It is time to make peace with God. It is time to make a U-turn. You can. Yes, you can, right now, not tomorrow, go on your knees before God and pray this prayer:
Father in Heaven, be merciful unto me, a sinner. I confess that Jesus is the Christ. He is the Lord. He died for me, and You raised Him from the dead and now He lives. I give my life to Him. Lord Jesus, come into my life. Be my Lord, be my Saviour, be my Master. Today I repent. Forgive me. Cleanse me and fill me with the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen
If you prayed this prayer, I assure you that something is happening already. Old things are passed and God is recreating something in you. Begin to pray in the name of Jesus and to read your Bible beginning from the book of John. Look for a good Bible-believing church and begin to attend. Be active, and gradually you will begin to grow in faith. God bless you.
Father, as many as have accepted Your son, Jesus, reveal Yourself to them. Let old things pass away. Let their sins be forgiven and the load be taken away. Lord, let your power be shown to them in the name of Jesus. Amen.
NB: First published May 2013