|
Gadsden PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH 432 Broad Street, Suite A • Gadsden AL 35901 • (256) 547-7592 |
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. — Psalm 96.9 |
|
WORSHIP |
2009 Gadsden Conference on the English Bible
Anthony Collins Copeland Birth: December 8, 1956 Married: Rhonda P. Copeland Experience of Salvation Before Christ: Indeed Jesus does love the little children of the world. My life is just another proof of this great truth. In my early years I was brought up in a typical southern home. My Father worked hard to provide for his family and Mother worked two jobs—keeping the home and working outside the home to help pay the bills. My parents taught me to do right and tell the truth. I was involved in most of the things of boys that era: the Cub Scouts, Boys Club, Pee-Wee Football, Farm Team Baseball, and of course school. My parents attended church occasionally, but my mother's parents were very faithful in church attendance. Life seemed uncomplicated and great except for one thing that greatly bothered me, "Would I go to Heaven when I died?" Meeting Christ: For most of my childhood I believed in God and in Jesus. Heaven and Hell were as real to me as summer vacation and Christmas. I truly believed if I could remain good enough God would take me to Heaven when I died. I read my Bible and went to church as much as I could. I felt I was a pretty good fellow compared to most. Yet in my heart I knew something was missing, but I did not know what. There was no peace within me. I began to see I was not so good after all. Little lies, bad thoughts, and other sins began to weigh me down. Then my Uncle Rickey asked me the most important question anyone has ever asked me, "Would you like to know for sure you are going to Heaven?" When I was 14 all would change. In my uncle's life I saw a peace he had that I did not. I felt I was just as good as he was, yet he had something that I lacked. In fact I noticed in a lot of Christian family members and friends a joy and peace they seemed to have that was missing in my life. Well, Rick shared with me John 3:3 and 3:16 and told me why Jesus came into the world and died on the cross. Christ did it for me! It was my sins He paid for on the cross. I could not earn my salvation. Jesus made it possible so that if I would believe in Him I would be forgiven of all my sins and become a child of God. That night as I prayed to the Lord Jesus to forgive me and save me His joy, love and peace flooded my soul. After Christ: Well that Sunday at church I could hardly wait for the invitation to be given. I wanted to obey Jesus and be baptized, but I also wanted to show Him how much I loved Him. I wanted to follow Jesus wherever He wanted me to go. In fact most of the rest of my life, with a few occasions of getting side-tracked, that is exactly what I have been doing. It has been a wonderful journey with the Lord in my life. He has never failed me. Oh yes I have failed Him many times, but His tender love has seen me through many things. The Lord Jesus has given to me a beautiful and loving wife and three very special children. He has called me to the greatest calling a man can have-preaching the Gospel of Christ. He has protected and provided for me and mine. During difficult times and personal loss, Christ has faithfully held me up. The Lord has let me travel to places for Him I never would have dreamed of going. He has done great and mighty things for this little southern boy. And now I have peace within my heart knowing that my home is Heaven one day all because of Jesus Christ. "For to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Without Jesus Christ life has no true meaning. Education Experience:
Ministry Experience:
|
|
Home • Doctrines • Confessions • FAQs • Sermons • Events • Orphan Ministry • Counseling • Education • Resources • Directions • Contact Us © 2006 Gadsden Primitive Baptist Church Permissions: We invite and encourage you to copy and freely distribute (without alteration) the materials on this site to the glory of Christ. |