A Reason to Change

My name is John.* I am 16 years old.

Though I was taught about my faith at a young age, I never actually studied the Bible. Yet I was pretty convinced about my beliefs and once said, “I will never change my religion!”

But last December, I met a guy named Jose. He’s also 16 years old and a Sabbathkeeper. When we first met, we talked about our religious beliefs. I was initially very hardheaded and refused to listen to the Bible facts he attempted to share with me.

Then one day he introduced me to an Amazing Facts DVD called The Final Events of Bible Prophecy. As I watched it, I realized that my beliefs about the Bible were broken. I had been taught that when people died, they went straight to heaven. I was also brought up to believe in a place called purgatory and that we should pray to saints. My understanding of communion, Sunday worship, and more were all based on traditions, but not on the Bible.

A Patient Lord Waits
Even though I began to conclude that my beliefs were based on errors and not on the truth, I wasn’t ready to walk away from the faith of my childhood. I started watching Pastor Doug Batchelor’s sermons online. Jose continued to share his beliefs with me, and I began to earnestly study my Bible. He showed me Scripture texts that explained how Saturday is the Sabbath, and not Sunday.

For a while I tried to retain my old beliefs while trying to hold onto my new beliefs, but it just wasn’t working. I started worshiping the Lord on Saturday by myself but still hadn’t completely let go of my former views. I thought to myself, “I don’t really need to attend church. I can just learn about God on my own.” After a couple of weeks, I realized that was wrong. I finally made the decision to turn away completely from my former beliefs and decided I would become a Sabbathkeeping Christian.

My parents were not very happy about my choice. I tried to share from the Bible about my beliefs, but they refused to listen. My dad said I was not properly interpreting the Bible. My mother said that her church was correct and is the church God created. But in my heart, I knew this was all wrong because I had studied the Bible for myself and knew what it said.

Letting God Work
My life has changed so much since choosing to move toward becoming a biblical Christian. I no longer eat unclean meats. My choice of activities on Sabbath is different. I don’t listen to the same type of music. The Word of God now guides my decisions.

Please pray for me as I continue to seek to honor my parents and follow God. We have had many difficult discussions. They are not very happy about my spiritual journey and want me to change. My dad was pressuring me to help renovate our home on Saturdays, and my mom says we don’t have the luxury of taking a day off to sit around.

Yet I keep praying for my parents, that they will someday come to see the truth in the Word of God. I feel sad that so many people are confused by the traditions of men instead of knowing for themselves what the Bible actually teaches. I also pray for my sisters. I hope they will one day ask me about my newfound faith and come to understand the truths I have found in God’s Word.

I thank God every day for my best friend Jose, who taught me to study God’s Word and led me to Amazing Facts. Most Sabbaths I watch Amazing Facts TV and listen to Pastor Doug. I also really enjoy listening to Bible Answers Live. Your ministry has helped me to truly consider the facts from the Bible. Thank you so much, and God bless you!

Update! We are thrilled to report that John has since been baptized and continues to seek your prayers for his family.

*John is not his real name; we have changed it here to protect his identity.

Comments

When you post, you agree to the terms and conditions of our comments policy.

If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. Due to staff size, we are unable to answer Bible questions posted in the comments.
To help maintain a Christian environment, we closely moderate all comments.

  1. Please be patient. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. Comments made on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday may not be approved until the following Monday.

  2. Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked.

  3. Comments containing URLs outside the family of Amazing Facts websites will not be approved.

  4. Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved.

  5. Comments off topic may be deleted.

  6. Please do not comment in languages other than English.

Please note: Approved comments do not constitute an endorsement by the ministry of Amazing Facts or by Pastor Doug Batchelor. This website allows dissenting comments and beliefs, but our comment sections are not a forum for ongoing debate.

Leave a Comment Below

Just leave your name and comment below. No need to create an account. All comments are moderated. Spam comments will not be approved.

16 Comments
Avatar Placeholder
shawndra_johnson
Amen. Pray for me and my family that we will honor God's Holy Sabbath. Even thou I grew up keeping the Sabbath its been years since I actually kept it and I want to start.
Avatar Placeholder
wendellhohmann
God bless you John! I am happy your journey has a happy ending. I pray for your family.
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." John 4:23
Avatar Placeholder
kristinguinn
I too have recently felt The Lord leading me to the SDA movement. I was born again 16 years ago, and have been searching for the "right" place ever since. It is all so confusing, and I have sincerely learned about every denomination,or non-denomination and profession of faith within Christendom, not wanting to be in error. I believe I'm being led by The Lord,but will continue praying. I hope that I've finally found a "safe" home, because I'm running out of options. Interestly, my Great- grandfather was a SDA lay minister 😊
Avatar Placeholder
MiguelArvelo01
God bless you John! We'll be praying for your parents, just be strong and hold on to what the Lord has shown you!
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
Sorry for my bad English .. Im 17 years old to .. i read the bible to and i found the truth i will pray for you all my brothers and sisters .. I'd like an hour soon to be baptized !
Avatar Placeholder
p4storb
By the way, Congratulations young man. I also come from a family that's high on their traditional and religious beliefs and today I'm a Pastor for the SDA church. Since my move to become an Adventist 13yrs ago, 2 of my brothers and my Mother has been baptised into the church. My younger brother is now in his 3rd year in Seminary to become a Pastor also. God is faithful and will move for you my young friend. Stay close to Him. Blessings.
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
Amen! So proud of "John." This is really awesome. I will pray for this family and pray that they will choose the truth! Congratulations on getting baptized! Now we have another brother. Praise the Lord.
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
It's always a very sobering feeling to find out after many years of calling myslf a christian I may have worshipped in vain. For thirty years I have took the pastor's interpretation of scriptures as sound. Even reading it myself in agreement only to re-read with spiritual eyes and see how wrong I was. More importantly standing in agreement with many I have called brother and sister for years and now must walk away to follow the real truth of my bible. I have ministered and prayed for people for years speaking in what I thought was a heavenly language only to find out it was complete gibberish. Ecstatic tongues as it has been labeled. Imagine my surprise to find out my interpretation of Revelations was sound because I had studied that more to know christians will face tribulation. It is written that Jesus will come again, not that He will come again twice. It will be because of our faith in Jesus that we will endure and survive or be martyed for His sake. Either way being ultimately with Him in heaven. Praise be to God for His grace that even an old christian has had time to learn the truth. Blessings to all who seek the truth!
Hide Replies 2
Avatar Placeholder
kristinguinn
I have prayed in tounges for years, and always wondered if it made a difference ?? I have also wrestled with the "tribulation". Whether Christians will go through it or be "raptured"? Seems that there are Scriptures for both sides. ???? But, these questions have kept me searching for Truth....
Hide Replies 1
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
As long as you seek the Lord's truth He will reveal that truth to you. Keep the faith.
I made it out of a baptist church, even had some practice with speaking in "tongues" before I turned to the bible alone.
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
God bless! I am 16 years old also and recently read the bible for myself and finally realized that the bible doesn't teach that Sunday is the sabbath and my parents were shocked at my new found truths but the lord is working on my family and my mom is finally watching the bible study's. Stick in there my brother and I will see you in heaven. Keep doing what the lord asks you to do! Please pray for me and my family! God bless!
Avatar Placeholder
kevin_figueroa
John congrats if you ever read my reply please add me on fb good decision
Avatar Placeholder
alfredngalayoyin
Thanks to God for using Amazing Facts ministry to lead you to HIM and you have made the greatest choice in your life.... Jesus said, we have to carry our own cross to follow Him and all the hardships and difficulties we face in community, family and friends are crosses we carry for Jesus... but don't worry He will strengthen you for your love and obedience for HIM....... God bless you and will remember you in my prayer as well......... We better obey God rather then men..........
Hide Replies 1
Avatar Placeholder
lindiemac
Praise God!
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
My brother you are heading in the right direction all God want's is obedience to his character, the ten commandments .God bless you my brother keep the faith.
Hide Replies 1
Avatar Placeholder
Anonymous
John, Jesus said that after you search for Him with all your hear, you will find Him. And His truth will make you free. I'm so glad that you have done that. And now, He has made you free. Henceforth, a beautiful place called HEAVEN awaits you. Remain strong. Please don't give up!