Like many family and friends that I know, I was born and raised in the Roman Catholic faith. I did everything I was instructed to do and I believed that I was “okay” with God and my faith. I always attended mass, was water baptized, received confirmation, penance and generally did my best not to sin, so I thought that I was on good terms with God. This went unchanged until I began attending a different church that I was invited too Wednesday nights. They had a Boy Scout camping group that really interested me called Royal Rangers.
It was at this church that someone opened up the Bible and introduced me to what was inside. Now, I was little young to understand (or really care too much about) theology, Bible study, or much beyond what I had already been taught. Sure, I had seen the Bible before at catechism, but it was viewed as more of a holy relic and was not used much. It was my understanding that the average person couldn't interpret the Bible; that the Bible really couldn't be understood unless you were a priest; this was reinforced in catechism. If we had a question about a lesson in the Bible the teacher would normally ask the priest for an answer.
One Wednesday one of our leaders that ran the “Royal Rangers” showed me some basic gospel truths found in the Bible. This completely turned my world around. In a nutshell most of things that I was taught in Roman Catholic church could not be verified in Scripture.
Even more shocking was the many contradictions between the Roman Catholic belief system and the Holy Bible. For example I was always taught that Mary was sinless, that she was the mother of God and that she never had any other children. That Jesus sacrifice alone was not good enough to believe on; to please God, you must do a number of works. (i.e Grace + works.) That a man can pull God out of heaven, re-sacrifice him on the cross in mass, and dispense this "Jesus" out to the people; etc. To my surprise, these beliefs are completely wrong in light of scripture.
After a bit of soul-searching I finally became a true Bible believing Christian. This Christian faith is not part of any organization, group or church. I simply believed what the Bible stated as truth. Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for my Sins on the cross; through the Bible I learned that by simply putting my faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ that I can be forgiven of all of my sins. I was blown away! That means that all of my sins (past, present and future) are gone - by simply accepting the free gift of salvation, apart from works.
The person explaining this simple truth to me did not have to use cunning words, fancy speeches, or anything of that sort; he simply showed me the plain and straightforward language of the Bible. As you'll see in other places on my web-site, the Bible verses are right there and very easy to understand.
Thank you for reading my testimony, I hope that it has been a blessing to you. Please read through my web-site and email me any comments, questions or rebukes you have.
Matthew McIntosh
Matt@drawafish.com
PS. In the past, I have been accused of “hating” Roman Catholics. Please understand that I do not hate Roman Catholic's. I simply am in disagreement over the false belief system that many have come to think as a true way to God's graces.
Share with me the Biblically way to heaven that was shared with you Matt.
Good youtube.com video that I watched over 15 years ago