Jubilee Church in Rome
MY TESTIMONY: MY JOURNEY BACK TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS-THE HOLY CATHOLIC CATHOLIC
Testimonies are a way to express our joy and new found discoveries especially when these new found discoveries are worthy talking about. Here is present my testimony about my journey back to the Catholic Church.In the 2006′s when i was lost in deluge of Pentecostalism,I began to study what being “born again” really means.
It is through my study that i turned to the Greek Original Text of the New Testament.I found out that the Greek word in the original text for “again” is “anothen”, which can more properly be translated as “from above”. So if we look at this terminology using “You must be born from ABOVE” instead of “You must be born AGAIN”, it took on a slightly different meaning to me. Verse 5 above gave me a clue, when it says that
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. “
Born of water AND the Spirit is a clarification from Jesus on what it means to be born from above. Water and the spirit, when combined in the Bible, means a new beginning. In Genesis 1:1, we see the spirit moving over the water, creating the new earth. Later on, when Noah was trying to see if there was land appearing, he sent out a dove over the water, to see if the new earth was ready. And while the dove wasn’t the Holy Spirit, it certainly was a precursor to the Baptism of Jesus, where we see the Holy Spirit descend as a dove over the waters of Jesus’ Baptism. Jesus had no sins, and therefore didn’t need to be baptized, of course, but his baptism sanctified the waters of baptism for us all, and shows us what really happens during our baptism – The Holy Spirit descends from heaven to our bodies, His temple.
Clearly, being born again, or being born from above, is a reference to our baptism, which washes away our sins (Acts 22:16) and saves us (1 Peter 3:21).
After discovering this truth, i made a 1 week pilgrimage at Mt. Sion Prayer Centre Bukalango for guidance, harmony of thought and spiritual re-birth. After my stay at Mt. Sion Bukalango, i promised my self that I will not betray Jesus again nor abandon His Church even when people around me do. I will do my best to remain loyal to Him and upon This Rock, I will stand. A promise that I have been graced to keep ever since.
By the close of 2007,I left Pentecostalism and returned back to the Catholic Church! I knew ofcourse this would disappoint my savedee friends who had untiringly convinced me to convert to Pentecostalism. My journey back to Catholicism led me to a thorough study of the Catholic faith and Church History. The result of my study was the present day Apologist i am! Praise God!
I did not believe the Pentecostal approach that you do not need an Institution or to belong to certain religion to follow Jesus/to be saved. I had a knowledge that Jesus founded a Church to be His vessel of Salvation. I had to question the Pentecostal approach because i thought some thing was wrong. As i wondered in Pentecostal circles for about 2 years, their gospel of prosperity baffled me. The leaders always started me with tithing people which they would follow up with false miracles-forcing unsuspecting believers to fall on the ground in disguise of praying for them.
I made it clear to myself that i could no longer have any dealings with Pentecostal churches. I told myself that i would rather remain in that “old church” while seeking the truth with humility and love.
The Pentecostals may criticize me here(whatever) but i do not I wish to be judged by unchristian principles that are based around the creed of men rather than the regulations of God. My abandonment of Pentecostalism is not due to lack of faith in God but it is solely due to the realization that the Catholic Church is true Church founded by Jesus. Francis Ripley’s book: THIS IS THE FAITH helped me alot to arrive at this truth. Guisseppe Caramazza’s little book BE STRONG IN YOUR FAITH also encouraged me to remain patient in my search for truth.
The more i studied Catholicism, it was like scales falling off my eyes.Reading Church History was something i was excited about that i really spent sleepless nights reading Church History. I came to the conclusion that those who leave the Church is due to the result of ignorance, pride and jealousy.
When i reflect upon the Church’s long, unbroken continuity,extending back to the Apostles, when i reflect upon her grand inspiring Sacred traditions, the blessed Sacraments, her immemorial language, her Apostles creed, her Holy Sacrifice to God, her priceless art, unity of doctrine,her apostolic authority, her splendid roll of saints, and the Presence of the Lord on the Altars-the more i fall in love with this ONE HOLY APOSTOLIC CATHOLIC CHURCH.
I read about the Church Fathers and how they tired to defend the faith against heretics and one of them was St. Athanasius. St.Athanasius inspired me, i loved this guy and how he sacrificed his life to defeat Arianism. When i read about the reformation, i realized Luther’s intentions were lacking. The reformation was a huge error.Infact Luther’s revolt did not lead to the true reformation.It resulted only to heresies,misery,discord and civil war. Christianity unity was destroyed, sects of every deception came about. In place of religious liberty and freedom came only greater immorality, corruption,dissension and strife. God can not use protesters. To me Luther was not very different from Arius. Both did not obey the Church despite being in error. In the end reform came, but it came from the Catholic Church itself.
When i read how early Christians loved the Church,describing it as the Spouse of Christ, showing how Jesus loved and still loves the Church and reminded Christians to love their Savior in return-oh! Oh! My love for Mother Church was en-kindled like a flame. Moreover Jesus supported, helped and loved the Church and promised to be with the Church always. How would i fail to be part of this Church, of this ONE christian Community then? How i would i wander in these competing numerous sects each with a different teachings???
Like a loving mother, the Catholic Church is the mother of all, ready to welcome and forgive her Children. I love I love this Church.My love and understanding of Jesus has come to new heights.
In 2012, i became an Apologist through my efforts stemming from deep study of the faith and a realization that the Church needs defense from her enemies. From 2008, the Lord has blessed me tremendously, miracles i did not expect while i was still in Pentecostalism. In fact the miracles i thought never happened. I had got typhoid back then in 2006 which affected my senses and my Pentecostal preachers interpreted this as a sign of satanic influence. However, continued seeking of a miracle in Pentecostal sects did not result in any miracle. It brought more confusion to me. In fact, i did not perform well in my final High School exams although got the required points to join University.
While i was at Mt.Sion Prayer Centre, i felt a peace! I was counselled to accept everything the Lord throws to us. I was told to review my life and see where i had offended God and seek forgiveness. I started to attend mass regularly and also did confession.In 2008, i joined Uganda Martyrs University and graduated in 2010 with flying colours! Praise God!
In the same year after i had just finished University, i got a job as a Social Worker in a Franciscan Home for Disabled Children. I did not earn alot though but Catholicism has taught me the value of patience and accepting what God gives us. I worked for 1 year in Providence Home and with my patience and hard work-God brought me a big opportunity. I got a good job with a top Organisation-Cheshire Services Uganda as a Community Worker.I have rose through the ranks at Cheshire Services Uganda to be a Project Officer.
This year i expect to pursue further studies-God willing. God willing again, i will settle down with my long time sweet heart and we get married. I have a very big debt to God, i can not thank Him enough. I ask God to give me the grace to avoid sin always. This is the most important thing i seek from God. I return i promise to proclaim his Majesty always and to defend His only Church-the Holy Catholic Church.
I will not betray Him nor abandon His Church even when people around me do. I will do my best to remain loyal to Him and upon This Rock, I will stand. A promise that I have been graced to keep ever since. I began to see what being “born again” was to really mean. To my Catholic brothers and Sisters,
The evidence of being born again is our living the teaching of Christ. Baptism and Confirmation cannot be subtracted from the born again experience due to the Holy Spirit’s working within communities and individuals in relation to the Sacraments.
When you are asked whether you’ve been born again, let your life demonstrate the results of being born again. This is putting ‘yes’ into action.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength (fortitude), knowledge, faith, healing, mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, varieties of tongues, and interpretation of tongues (I Cor 12: 4-10).
Being born again is not to join an Pentecostal or protestant sect,is not to sing Alleluia transnight, is not to stop drinking(the grace of God ONLY can make us to stop this), is not to speak in tongues, etc. The true signs of Salvation are as i have indicated above; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
God be with you and kind regards!