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The Pentecostals At The Church Of Christ Funeral

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The Pentecostals At The Church Of Christ Funeral

The funeral chapel was jammed with about 30 Pentecostals and nearly 100 Church of Christ members.  Evidently this funeral was considered important. Six Church of Christ pastors were in attendance and each one spoke. No Pentecostal preacher had been invited to speak; yet several of us came anyway. I sat close to the back with my brother-in-law Pastor Nathan Yandris and my sister Ramona.

The large framed picture sitting on the closed casket was one of a beautiful middle-aged woman named Phyllis. She had a look of professionalism and class about her. Her brown hair was cut shoulder length. It appeared her make up had been professionally applied for the photo, and her jewelry looked very expensive.

The front row contained a grieving husband and beside him, his redheaded son and daughter-in-law. The son appeared to be the only child. No others sat near, leaving the guests to assume the mourners were alone in this crowd.

The Church of Christ preachers spoke one by one, and each said comforting things that I am sure helped. The final speaker did a superb job, actually. One could tell this was not his first funeral.

At the conclusion of his homily, the minister announced, “It is the wishes of the family that those who wish to say a few words about our beloved sister, should have an opportunity to say a public goodbye. He then walked to the front row and sat down.

One at a time, six middle-aged women walked to the podium and spoke sweet words about the loss of their friend. All of them mentioned that they had met Phyllis at either AA or Al-Anon.

They spoke of her friendship, of her church activities, her help with their lives, and her struggle with addictions and theirs.

After the last one sat down, there was a moment of quietness as all waited for someone else to stand. No one did.

Turning around and giving the crowd a swift appraising look, the redheaded son clutched a new Bible as he stepped to the small podium. His 25 years seemed much older. He was poised. He held the Bible in his left hand up close to his heart.

With a voice that never broke, he thanked everyone for coming. He thanked the ministers that spoke and he thanked his mother’s pastor as well.

With a smile to the women who had come to the front to speak, he thanked them as cherished friends.

That is where his story began!

“Almost 6 weeks ago, I first heard that my mom had cancer.  The doctor said that it was terminal and inoperable. I was shattered. Then they said she only had a few days to live. I was an immediate basket case.

“My mom was young, she was beautiful too,” He said, pointing at her picture.

“I went home that night and sat on my front porch. I was drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette, and was crying my heart out, when this man saw me and stopped.” (He pointed at a large black man on the 2nd row.) “He asked me if I was alright? I told him no.

“When he came up to the porch I told him the news about my mom. He spoke comforting words to me and asked if he could pray for me. I said yes and he did. I felt something I had never felt before.

“Then he sat down beside me and taught me what he called a short Home Bible Study. He showed me about Acts 2:38. He said that I needed to repent, and get baptized in Jesus name and that the Lord would give me the Holy Ghost. He said that Jesus would be my comforter.

“I prayed right there on my porch and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I told him I wanted to be baptized the Bible way, so he took me to his church, Apostolic Tabernacle, and the pastor came over and baptized me in Jesus name. When I came up out of the water, I was speaking in tongues. I got the Holy Ghost just like they did in the Bible!” He said, as he raised and then waved his Bible.

The Pentecostals responded with much noise and many of us stood and clapped our hands. The Church of Christ crowd went silent.

“I was thrilled! I had never been so happy in my life! That night I prayed that God would help me to share this with my mom. I knew she had to have this before she died.

“I prayed that God would help me find a way to speak to her. I knew she was wrapped up in her Church. She had been a lifetime member, and had always been involved in one department or another.

“The first thing the next morning, I prayed before I went over to mom’s house. When I got there, I was surprised to see a Bible lying open on the kitchen table.”

“I asked mom what the Bible was there for, and she said that she was close to dying and didn’t feel saved. She said she was looking for more than what she had.

“I said mom, you been a member of the Church of Christ for 45 years.”

She said, “That’s right, but I’m not ready to meet God. I need more!”

(He turned to the Church of Christ pastor and said, “Sorry sir!”)

The redheaded new convert was filled with Holy Ghost enthusiasm as he told his story. His eyes were red rimmed and watering.

I said, “Mom, let me tell you what had happened to me last night. I told her the whole story. About the beer, the Bible study, the baptism and the Holy Ghost.

“Mom started crying and said son, ‘Tell me what he told you.’

I sat down with her and showed her the same scriptures in Acts that my new friend had told me.

“She got down and began to repent like the Bible said to. When she finished, she said that she couldn’t leave the house to go to church. She was too weak and was attached to an oxygen tank.

“Mom said, maybe we could fill her big Jacuzzi tub up and baptize her in that. Dad helped me and I baptized my mom in Jesus name. She came up out of the water speaking in tongues just like I did. I was so happy, I shouted all over the room.”

(All of us Pentecostals are now on our feet, with our hands in the air, worshipping!)

“My dad said, ‘Baptize me too!’ So I did and he got the Holy Ghost too”

“I sure did,” came a strong voiced reply from the front row. The dad had his hand in the air.

The Pentecostal’s worship was so overwhelming that even some of the church of Christ people started crying by now.

They all knew that a man with an experience is never at the mercies of a man with an argument.

The worship of the small group of saints roared in the ears of opposition. For several minutes it went on. It felt unstoppable.

“All of you Church of Christ members need this Holy Ghost, he went on. “It will do for you what AA can’t. It will do for you what Al-Anon can’t. You need to be baptized in Jesus name to be saved. You need the Holy Ghost speaking with other tongues to be saved. If you want to see my mom in heaven, then obey Acts 2:38.

When he walked back to his place, the crowd stood and gave him a standing ovation.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 15, 2011 at 9:41 am

97 Responses

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  1. awesome!!!! -Brian

    BrianandMisty Frank

    September 15, 2011 at 9:53 am

  2. This story is so thrilling! I wish I could have been there to hear it unfold! I love the saying, “They all knew that a man with an experience is never at the mercies of a man with an argument.”

    Nila Marxer

    September 15, 2011 at 9:58 am

    • that stuck out to me also……. wise words..

      Mary

      September 15, 2011 at 9:58 pm

  3. Praise the Lord.

    Steve Epley

    September 15, 2011 at 10:57 am

  4. Wonderful…thrilling!!

    Mary

    September 15, 2011 at 11:15 am

  5. Wow…… What a tremendous story. This young man, a new convert at that, has put many of US “reserved” veteran saints to shame. To tell others about the gospel in the situation he was in, is a great task! While others shy away at just the mention from another of their OWN belief. I’m sure the Lord was proud him. It’s stories like these that make me want to go tell somebody about the lord, And amen to the man who stopped and witnessed to him, many would of no doubt. Sadly passed him by and say to self later ” I wish I would of said something to that one guy”, I know, I’ve done that before my self And it’s the worst feeling. Thank You for this post. Truly an inspirational young man.

    Servant-JC

    September 15, 2011 at 11:32 am

  6. Love this testimony! This is a true example of what we believe and stand for! Thanks for sharing

    Nelda Kyzar

    September 15, 2011 at 12:06 pm

  7. Bro Ballestero, thank you for this awesome post! I have cried & rejoiced while reading. If the Lord permits me to, I would love to share it with the ladies in the Tarrant county jail, with your permission of course. God bless you!

    Nancy Cole

    September 15, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    • That would be my honor.

      Martyn Ballestero

      September 15, 2011 at 1:15 pm

      • Thank you Bro Ballestro for taking us back to Calvary! I love this message more today than I did when it was revealed to my family & myself!! God Bless you & your family with many souls for your labor!!!

        Lori Fitzpatrick

        February 19, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      • Dec. 2, 1979 I sat in your fathers church in Sulphur, LA. He wasn’t there that night, but you were!! I was a 13 year old son of divorced backsliders who was as lost as could be possible…until alter call!! I got the Holy Ghost that night and my mom prayed back thru. a couple of days later my Dad was back in and within a few weeks my 9 year old sister was too!! We eventually moved to Sulphur and attended Bro Ballesteros church for some years but eventually we were back in Texas and attending Bro Harrells church in Bridge City. Mom and Dad are retired and continue to attend Bro Harrells church in BC as do my wife and I. It was so great to see a writing by you as you will always have a special place in my heart Bro Marty. Please tell Sis’. Nila, Ramona and Carlene the Perritt Family thinks of them often- Glenn Perritt

        Glenn Perritt

        February 20, 2014 at 12:46 am

  8. wow. I would’ve loved to have been there. When did this happen?

    Jarron Brown

    September 15, 2011 at 12:33 pm

  9. Wow that was amazing!

    Jessica Delaney (@pentiefly93)

    September 15, 2011 at 1:13 pm

  10. I hope you are happy! You made me cry! 🙂

    Kenneth bow

    September 15, 2011 at 1:23 pm

  11. gave me goose bumps!

    Aireene Brant

    September 15, 2011 at 3:28 pm

  12. 🙂

    Aireene Brandt

    September 15, 2011 at 3:29 pm

  13. WOW! gave me goosebumps! Thanks for sharing Bro!

    Aireene Brandt

    September 15, 2011 at 3:47 pm

  14. WOW!!!…. That is Awesome. Thanks for sharing this today. Very inspiring indeed. God Is AWESOME!!!

    Daryl Jorden

    September 15, 2011 at 4:55 pm

  15. wow….thank you for sharing…this is a very inspiring story….

    Jacklyn Caslangen

    September 15, 2011 at 6:19 pm

  16. what an awesome testimony, I had to read it to my husband. it was so moving, thanks for sharing

    Dorothy Kempf

    September 15, 2011 at 8:32 pm

  17. One of the best story’s I’ve read in a long time.

    Ted Cox

    September 15, 2011 at 8:37 pm

  18. Thank you for posting this story.. It inspires me to not be paralized with fear of rejection when it comes to sharing the Truth~ but to be driven with child-like enthusiasm and a sincere heart. There are still hungry souls waiting for someone to show them the Way! The lives that were changed because a man went door to door offering bible studies. And the testimony of a son that recieved Truth just in time! Praying to shine and lead someone out of darlness. Thank you again…..

    Jessica Wardwell

    September 15, 2011 at 10:30 pm

  19. My Friend!

    Home run and out of the park!

    I am sitting here with tears running down my face, this is awesome.

    Thanks

    Bro. Boyd

    David Boyd

    September 15, 2011 at 11:13 pm

  20. are you related to Carl Balestero?

    bro mike of Idaho

    mike

    September 16, 2011 at 12:00 am

  21. Bro Ballestero, I truelly was moved when reading this awesome post. Thank you soooooo much for sharimg!!!!!!

    Nancy Cole

    September 16, 2011 at 8:33 am

  22. Jesus!!! simple&right to the point!

    Diana Witt

    September 16, 2011 at 9:55 am

  23. Wow. I saw the first part on Facebook and gave it a look. I had tears in my eyes the whole time (not something that happens often). I will be sharing this post with other family members at the first opportunity. It is a reminder that we should always be open to the call and prompting of the Spirit at all times. We never know when we will cross paths with a hurting soul.

    Jay

    September 16, 2011 at 11:21 am

  24. Hooray for our side! I hope somebody else was touched. Thanks for posting this.

    Dr. John Scheel

    September 16, 2011 at 11:55 pm

  25. Please pray for my mother who has terminal cancer. I have told her about Acts 2:38 Salvation. Pray she is brought to a place of conviction and repentance and a desire to be filled with the Holy Ghost and Baptized in Jesus name.

    Sis. Janeal Shelton, WA.

    September 17, 2011 at 3:10 am

  26. WoW! What An Amazing God …comes to where we are….

    Sherry Montgomery-Jertberg

    September 18, 2011 at 12:23 am

  27. He’s an on time God! Never too late!

    Crystal Smith (Morris)

    September 18, 2011 at 1:01 am

    • Bro.Ballestero,
      You definitely have a gift of conveying a message from the perspective of an eyewitness.Our God is awesome.Thank you for reminding us ,that at his discretion ,He employs the WOW factor.

      BRING IT ON JESUS !

      Dwayne Christensen

      September 18, 2011 at 12:35 pm

  28. how uplifting. ..so happy for the women and her family. praise the Lord

    Jane Marie Eccles

    September 19, 2011 at 12:29 am

  29. This is awesome! It reminds me of what happened to my Uncle Hoyt Satterwhite. His mother, my grandmother, was one of the first in southern Idaho to receive the Acts 2:38 experience. As a young man he was dying with cirrhosis of the liver due to his alcoholism. His weak voice prayed, “Jesus, if you will heal me, I’ll serve you the rest of my life.” . . .Ten days later he was back working at his mechanics shop. He kept his vow and became a preacher. He was especially effective winning people from the low life God had saved him from. He loved to go fishing. He’d meet up with other fishermen and start witnessing to them, and end up having a baptismal service right there. A few years later he offered the back rooms of his gas station garage to the evangelizing Kilgore family. That night Brother James Kilgore, just a youth, accepted God’s call to preach the gospel. Uncle Hoyt was also the one that brought my mom and her two sisters into the church. Her first time to church, my mom was baptized and received the infilling of the Holy Ghost. She married Hoyt’s baby brother, and all three of us children are in the ministry. Our daughter was our first convert when we were missionaries to Spain. Her three children have received the Holy Ghost and been baptized in Jesus’ name just like Acts 2:39 says: The promise is to us and our children. . .even as many as the Lord, our God, shall call. It’s for anyone in the world that wants it.

    Diola (Satterwhite) Willoughby

    September 19, 2011 at 1:56 am

  30. The book of Acts is still being written!! Wonder what chapter this would be. This was a truly inspiring ‘chapter’ that pushes us out to be kingdom employees!!

    Wyonna Smith

    September 19, 2011 at 11:27 pm

  31. When I read this aloud to my husband, tears filled our eyes. Thank you for sharing this testimony. We read this to our small home missions church. So inspiring to know the Lord will speak to us, and if we listen, He will lead us to hungry souls. Thanks again for sharing.

    Leon and Doris Smith

    September 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

  32. It doesn’t get any better than this.

    Virgil Winslow

    November 9, 2011 at 5:14 pm

  33. This should not be a “rare occurance”… I’m thankful their are people who still follow the bible and do the footwork and prayer and fasting that this takes to happen!

    damon

    November 12, 2011 at 3:17 pm

  34. Brother, this brought tears to my eyes, and joy to my heart! God is SO Awesome!

    Billy N Ashley Dempsey

    December 4, 2011 at 3:34 pm

  35. A tremendous testimony! I’m still crying over it. lol. What a brave young man! That’s what it’s going to take nowadays to reach those who have a “form of godliness, but deny the power thereof”.

    I have talked to Church of Christ members before. They are good folks, but they are very set in their ways. It’s almost impossible to move them, either with scripture of with life-changing testimonies. They’ve been taught that they are the “original church” from the Book of Acts….and even though they replicate almost NOTHING that the Apostles and early church believed in, they are still certain that they are the true Apostolic church.

    How wonderful that this young man was courageous enough to stand up for truth, even under such difficult circumstances! We need more people like that in our churches, today. Saints who are on fire for God. Unintimidated. Ready to do what God has called them to do. If we had a few more of these folks in our churches, we would have massive revival in America, today!

    I’m so proud of the other Apostolic members who went to the funeral, as well. …Proud of them that they worshipped God without fear or intimidation. Wish I could’ve been there. I would’ve shouted and ran the aisles. lol. How stunned those Church of Christ elders would have been!

    It’s an exciting event when a saint of God goes to their heavenly reward. That’s where we all long to go….And we’ll be going there soon. (The coming of the Lord is at hand! Every sign seems to indicate that the Midnight Cry is going forth. “The bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to meet him!”)

    I look forward to seeing this dear departed lady in heaven!

    Thank you for sharing this testimony. It truly is an inspiration!

    Vicki O'Neal

    December 4, 2011 at 5:16 pm

  36. May God bless you . This touch my heart.

    Xommie Ralte

    December 4, 2011 at 7:57 pm

  37. I think this is just about the best testimony I ever heard in 45 years as a Believer.What can I say but…`WOWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

    Denis

    December 4, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    • Wow awesome God we have he gives us a chance like the his word mention everyone will have an opportunity!!!!

      sally

      December 7, 2011 at 2:31 pm

  38. wow, too powerful testimony. Glory to God.

    zoenhim

    December 4, 2011 at 11:35 pm

  39. Not enough words to express how awesome this was!!! Only JESUS!!!

    Cherry Price

    December 4, 2011 at 11:41 pm

  40. Bro. Ballestero, I thank you for taking the time to share this outstanding happening. It was put together as only you could do it. My soul was stirred. It is a tremendous blessing to all who read it. Thanks again.

    Bro. Spencer McCool

    Spencer McCool

    December 5, 2011 at 6:50 am

  41. Very moving, I agree we all need an Acts 2:38 experience.

    Chuck

    December 5, 2011 at 7:43 am

  42. Powerful!

    Shirley Buxton

    December 5, 2011 at 11:02 am

  43. Wow, that is amazing and wonderful. Gave me goose bumps!

    Kathryn Carter

    December 5, 2011 at 3:56 pm

  44. Elder Ballestero,

    Wonderful story and wonderfully accounted! I have asked our editor to share this along with your bio and photo in our monthly magazine, The Next Wave.

    Dr. Bernie L. Wade

    December 6, 2011 at 7:34 am

  45. This is one of the most awesome “reads” that has been shared since I have been on Facebook..a must read and a guaranteed faith builder,,,,,,,,,,,Please take time to read…..you will be blessed..I believe…

    Jesse Cutrer

    December 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    • I read the entire story and I believe that the sons of God are about to be revealed. This is way every true child of God should testify. Great story!
      Pastor Steve Barley

      Pastor Steve Barley

      December 6, 2011 at 7:46 pm

  46. Powerful story…thank you for sharing m’friend

    Rob McKee

    December 6, 2011 at 7:39 pm

  47. The words of this written testimony had such anointing it gave me chills when I read it. Praise be to God. I love the boldness and willingness of fresh – new converts!!!!!!

    Cheryl Duvall

    December 7, 2011 at 1:34 am

  48. That is just awesome!

    Charles

    December 7, 2011 at 9:22 am

  49. It is a wonderful recall of an event. I do not want to discredit it by calling it a story. I appreciate the details very much. Had me crying at my desk. Thank you for sharing.

    It is awesome to see all the people commenting as well. We as a church always seem to rejoice together over these things and it is awesome. However there was a principle in this event.

    Take what you know to those who do not know it and share it. That is what Jesus told us to do and look what it does when we do just that. Proof once again, if you needed it, that His word does not come back void.

    God Bless

    Bro Eric Ginder

    December 7, 2011 at 11:33 am

  50. amen Sis Willoughby Preach it…Isnt the story wonderful?

    nancy crutcher

    December 7, 2011 at 2:30 pm

  51. Wow! Awesome! Oh, if every Apostolic Christian could have the boldness of this new convert! Sadly, I’m afraid P.C. has become too common in the church!

    Terry Wilbanks

    December 8, 2011 at 10:29 am

  52. That is one of the most beautiful stories of a Holy Ghost outpouring I have EVER heard! Thank you so much for sharing!!

    Whitney Holt

    December 8, 2011 at 11:19 am

  53. A most beautiful Holy Ghost stroy and so encouring.

    Trevor Wyant

    December 8, 2011 at 3:44 pm

  54. There is nothing more powerful than truth! thank you for this wonderful testimony Bro. Ballestero

    Monte Showalter

    December 8, 2011 at 7:34 pm

  55. When I was a young pentecostal I married a church of christ young man. We argued so many times over the scriptures etc. I wish with all my heart that God would have touched his family like the young man you talked about. My marriage did not work out but I still pray that God will reach this family somehow, some way. Thanks for the beautiful testimony. When you are told so many times that God does not heal and tongues are not of God it is good to hear confirmation. I am remarried to a pentecostal man and still loving the pentecostal way. Praise God!

    Stephanie

    December 9, 2011 at 4:05 pm

  56. God is so merciful and full of love…..this made my heart sing….Awesome

    Faith

    December 11, 2011 at 11:48 pm

  57. […] was reading Bro. Martyn Ballestero blog  “click here” and came upon this post that I had to share with my readers. All I will […]

    Read This Testimony: The Pentecostals At “The Church Of Christ” Funeral « Apostolic Oneness Pentecostals !

    December 12, 2011 at 6:42 pm

  58. Thank you so much for posting. I re-posted to FB. It is claimed there is no such thing as an absolute, but this proves there is: it is absolutely awesome!

    Donnie Gillum

    December 17, 2011 at 10:28 am

  59. WOW…. This is amazing!! Thank God God for the guy that stopped and took his time to talk to you! By that one man that shared the Truth of God, not only helped save you, but 3 people! You, your mom, and your dad!! And by you sharing your testimony, there is no telling who else it will be lead to! Praise the Lord!!

    Austin Pennington

    June 10, 2013 at 6:59 pm

  60. That is awesome, Jesus is so good….

    Brother-Gayle Payne

    February 18, 2014 at 10:40 pm

  61. Incredible story told by an incredible man. Thank you for making me proud of the message one more time.

    TJ Hurley

    February 19, 2014 at 9:07 am

  62. awesome testimony!! truly loved it!! I will share with others!!!

    Donald Swann

    February 19, 2014 at 10:01 am

  63. A most awesome report of what our God is still doing. Heart thrilling/

    Iva Nell Phillips wife of Rev. Gilmer L. Phillips

    February 19, 2014 at 10:51 am

  64. I stand (once again) amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene ! You are a master story teller !!

    Arnold MacLauchlan

    February 19, 2014 at 11:59 am

    • exceptionally awesome….i’m loving this ….to God be the glory forevermore…this testimony should be all over the airwaves….everyone should hear of this great testimony…this reminds me of the Apostles and how they preached to the unbelievers…AMEN!!! Congrats brethren…God is loving this

      Kemerine Walsh

      February 19, 2014 at 3:44 pm

  65. Absolutely awesome!!!! A man with an experience will never be at the mercy of a man with an argument. I know this for a fact! There’s no arguing Acts 2:38

    Mike Davis

    February 20, 2014 at 12:37 am

  66. Never seen your blog before, but clicked on the link today… tremendous story… I could feel it as I was reading it… methinks that we’ll be hearing more and more stories like this as we get closer to the end…God bless

    Brocc Chavis

    February 20, 2014 at 9:49 am

  67. WOW….all I can say as I sit here with tears in my eyes and my heart overflowing. God is so awesome. Thanks so much for this story. I looked at the dates of the first responses….3 years ago….may this blog go forward and inspire more each day to be sensitive to those around us and reach out with the greatest message and testimony there is…..OUR TESTIMONY of the power of God and the Power of being baptized in Jesus’ Name and receiving the Holy Ghost.

    I am so honored to know the truth and be filled with God’s Spirit…..with that honor comes a responsibility to reach out to others who are HUNGRY for the Power of God to be present in their lives. Lord……..make me sensitive and responsive to those you bring into my path each day.

    Thank you….Thank you…Thank you for sharing.

    Donna Freeze Maranto

    February 21, 2014 at 4:24 am

  68. What a great testimony. But let me say… you were not sitting with the opposition…you were sitting among the hungry. Praise the Lord for that opportunity!!

    LaManda

    February 21, 2014 at 11:02 am

  69. Beautiful message of hope for all. Love it!

    Douglas Sargeant

    March 22, 2014 at 2:25 pm

  70. What a great story of love and salvation. I am sad that the “church of Christ” people in attendance reacted the way they did. Frankly, I’m surprised, having been myself baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, in a church of Christ on the basis of Acts 2:38! Also Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21 and pretty much the entire chapter of Galatians 3! I wonder who these deceive brethren were and what they believed and why. If I had been there, I would have cheered and “amen”ed also!

    The thing about the church of Christ is that there is not one set of beliefs or practices that define us. There is no organization or leadership beyond the local congregation’s elders, who are responsible for guiding their local flock. In fact, the church of Christ in America was originally not a denomination at all, but a unity movement! And there are plenty of congregations of people around who identify as church of Christ whose members you would gladly call brother and sister. Hearing your story of salvation I have no problem calling you brother.

    May God continue to richly bless you, brother!

    Yancey Landrum

    April 7, 2014 at 8:02 pm

  71. Born and raised Church of Christ lady right here who also knew she needed MORE and obeyed the Word of the Lord! And YES “They all knew that a man with an experience is never at the mercies of a man with an argument.” Praise the Lord! Be baptized in Jesus name my church of Christ CHERISHED, ADORED, LOVED ONES and you too shall received the gift of the Holy Ghost AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!

    …I shared this on my facebook Bro Ballestero. Attended Freed-Hardeman University two years. Served in church of Christ ministry since I was 8 years old with my dad who worked at the benevolent center. Those who know me know I have always loved the Lord and wanted Him more and more. This will be seen by many church of Christ missionaries, ministers and lay people. SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM. I ain’t giving up.

    Sister Melissa Tietze at Landmark UPC in Texarkana…thank you for your amazing dedication.

    Keep on praying.

    Melissa Tietze

    December 8, 2014 at 10:57 am

  72. Absolutely a beautiful love story told. My heart feels for those who do not have the Holy Ghost, or do not believe they need it. I am over joyed God gave this family the chance for eternity. We serve an Awesome God

    beckiescorner

    February 9, 2015 at 6:31 pm

  73. Iam a backslider ..please pray for me…i pray I never talk ill of my brothers and sisters everywhere in oneness holiness

    John Colorado

    July 15, 2015 at 6:25 pm

  74. My dad passed away last Friday. He was Apostolic as I and most of my family are. My employer attended funeral. He is Church of Christ. I found myself being nervous that he would be disapproving of the order of the service. Since that day I have been going over in my mind how to explain to him what we have.
    He is very well read in the scriptures.
    I’ll never understand how we can all read the same Book and have such opposing opinions of what it says.
    That being said, the only thing I can say is once you experience the Holy Ghost experience , you know that the age of miracles and tongues is NOT over. Lord, let my life be a testimony and do what years of studying hasn’t been able to do for my employer.

    Gaylene Holt

    July 23, 2015 at 9:24 am

  75. Had this experience for 82 years I was 9 years old baptized in Jesus name got
    Holy Ghost in my wet clothing in
    Dressing room and spoke in tongues
    Have been preaching 60 years

    Bernadine

    July 23, 2015 at 6:06 pm

  76. Absolutely beautiful! The message is still the same! Acts 2:38!!!

    Raymond Andreas

    July 26, 2015 at 3:27 pm

  77. Are you saying members of the church of Christ aren’t saved in accordance with Acts 2:38?

    Hallen

    January 20, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    • The Church of Christ doesn’t baptize in Jesus Name for the remission of sins, according to Acts 2:38. Acts 2:38 is for whosoever will.

      anita

      December 7, 2016 at 3:40 am

  78. Brother McCool did you ever come to Monroe Ga CHURCH OF LORD JESUS CHRIST?? I remember about 20+ yrs ago pastor was Larry Phillips at the time.

    Teresa McDaniel

    February 20, 2016 at 5:21 pm

  79. Awesome

    Edwina Kuntzman

    February 20, 2017 at 11:53 am

  80. Praise the Lord…

    Paul Praveen

    February 21, 2017 at 2:02 am

  81. Such an incredible and inspiring testimony! This Holy Ghost is for everyone; God is not partial to any one person, race, or church. Praise God!!! Thank you for sharing.

    womanoffaith40

    February 21, 2017 at 8:34 am

  82. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience with us.

    Bertha Jones

    February 21, 2017 at 8:45 pm

  83. That’s an amazing story. I love what you wrote about a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument. Great words indeed.

    Brian Humek

    June 28, 2017 at 8:26 pm

  84. I have always said, “Don’t knock until you’ve tried it!” Experience it then make up your mind. I personally have never met a person who truly had the experience and then want to turn from it. Experience trumps argument every time.

    Roy D. Ford

    September 15, 2017 at 7:43 pm


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