“Comics, Atari, and sports… is there anything else?”
[By Brad Turner]
I “grew up in the church” and make no apologies for this. I am thankful to God that I was exposed to the truth of the Gospel through family and circumstances of life. The elders and Bible class teachers had occasional special Wednesday night services that allowed us, as youth, to try our hands at leading singing and giving short “five minute talks”. All of this was to prepare us for public service in the future.
“Age of accountability”, and “You’re close”, and “You’re more mature than your peers.” These phrases permeated that year I was baptized. There were tears and prayers. I really knew my Bible – I really did! One Wednesday night at the age 12 I was baptized – before services – I couldn’t wait. The best night’s sleep of my life!
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.”
– I Cor 13:11, ESV.
That sunk in one Sunday afternoon, while I was watching NFL and considering my comic and GI JOE collection, I asked my parents if I have to give those things away? “No, that’s not what that means.” Ah…okay. I felt better. As I was walking back to my room, I heard them very softly talk to one another. “He just doesn’t understand, does he?” I never forgot that…I mean I was 12! What else did I know about? I did not really like girls at that point. What sins had I truly committed?
Oh well…
High school and college was next! Now, I was not a toga wearing hedonistic outlaw, however, I was smart enough to know that I was committing SIN. There were times I was doing something that was wrong. I need to repent! Wasn’t I okay if I prayed and repented? I mean I was baptized, right? But was I converted? This “way” was all I ever knew?
“Let the thief no longer steal…” – Eph 4:28a, ESV.
I never stole anything? What sins did I commit at the age of 12 when my world was comics, Atari, games, friends, etc? Did I change after I obeyed the Gospel? Sure, I now led singing, prayer, helped at the Lord’s Supper, and gave the occasional invitation talk, but when I left home… where was I (spiritually speaking)? Then, (as Brian mentioned in his article) I began to think, was this band of folks meeting at this building, the only ones who had access to the truth of God? Out of all the people on earth? Was I a Christian because my family was? Was it “peer pressure”?
Thankfully, by the grace of God, in dental school – still did things… however, there was a great group of supportive college age friends and adults that I was able to rely on and learn from. I had decided during my first year of dental school to “compare” other beliefs. Maybe I was biased, but none of the other beliefs seems to fit or check all of the marks. So, if this book, the Bible, was indeed from God and the truth, then I need to dig and make sure I knew what it was saying. Later, I fell in love with one of those fellow college aged people, and we helped each other. As crazy as it seemed, she felt like I did in many ways! “Hey let’s get married…”
Fast forward to the “wasteland of New England”! “Why do you want to move up there?” “There are not a lot of churches” (notice: NOT “not a lot of Christians”, but “churches”… a subtle difference, but difference for sure). Guess what? There weren’t many! And this group seems to be tighter, and (don’t get mad) “insulative.” Again, I am not disparaging large numbers, but slipping through the cracks is easier in a large group, than in a small group. Also this group knew the Bible! “I need you to cover for me teaching Isaiah while I’m in a meeting.” – Tom Moody. “What?! No way! I can’t do this!” “Sure you can! Oh, maybe you can teach the teen class.” I better get to it and know the Scripture, not just win at Bible trivia!
Tatum was two when we moved to Vermont. Later, you guessed it, Taryn arrived. Parenthood is a great and beautiful blessing, but a huge responsibility! I noticed their youth and innocence. They relied on me, their father,
“to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” – Eph 6:4b, ESV.
I better make sure I am doing all I can for them, Sonyia, and myself.
Then, I heard something (I think it was one of Scott’s early sermons?). Whatever the phrase was or point was, I left that afternoon conflicted. Way back at the age of 12, had I been truly converted? Yes, the blood of Christ cleanses all sins. Yes, we should have that confidence in His blood. That was not the problem. The problem was confidence in me. Did I really know what I was doing? For a few months after, I really struggled. I talked with family and other Christians (only one here in Milton – I wanted to keep these doubts quiet). The response ran the gambit – from “I was baptized at the age of x, and I am confident” to “One of two things will happen – the Lord will add you to the church, or you’ll just get wet, but the Lord knows the heart.” I could not sleep. Was I being foolish? My grandfather’s advice sealed the deal for me. He said simply, “I believe you are a Christian, but do not go to bed another night if you have the slightest doubt. Be baptized, and God will take care of things.”
Later, while in Kentucky visiting family, I had Weldon Warnock baptize me. I “came forward.” The looks on folks faces – Sonyia knew I had made my decision and supported me, but everyone else was “buckling up” for the whopper confession! What had Brad done? I explained my reasoning, and knew, really knew what I was doing, and why I was doing it. God alone knows for sure if I just got wet or not.
I think this story is known by a few more here over the years, but not sure. I thought I would share “my conversion story” anyway. This is not a judgment or indictment on anyone who has obeyed the Gospel at a young age. This is my story and my struggles I had to face. This is also not a call to be re-baptized at the drop of a hat – Christ’s blood is the most powerful cleansing agent in the world, but my spirit struggled with that comprehension at an early age. Consequently, when my children wanted to have their sins washed away I asked, “Is this for you and your sins, not for your Mom and Dad or anyone else?” The decision to come to Christ has to be yours and yours alone. Have you made that decision?