I was baptized 30 years ago today!

I was baptized Sabbath, June 9, 1979 in Toledo, Ohio - an unbelievable 30 years ago today! My minister was George Kackos. Back then, most Worldwide Church of God baptisms in Toledo took place in what appeared to be a water tank (like for horses and cattle) in the garage of the highly respected deaconess and widow Mrs. Ruth Ludwig (later married to Rudy Myers).

The original Worldwide Church of God (WCG) taught the biblical baptism of full immersion in water, followed by the laying on of hands to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is not to be confused with the apostate Tkachite group today that shamefully returned to Egypt, to Babylon's traditional vomit, after the death of Herbert W. Armstrong and who recently changed their name to Grace Communion International. It's appropriate they no longer refer to themselves as the Church of God, considering the overwhelming evidence against them, documented within Raising the Ruins by Stephen Flurry.

Some refer to initial conversion as our "first love," sort of like a honeymoon, that eventually wears off. We're supposed to "count the cost" before baptism, understanding we're in this for the long haul, that conversion is a life-long process, that there's no turning back, so help us God.

I've had my ups and down during this conversion process, this spiritual obstacle course and religious marathon, exhilarating successes and miserable failures during this wilderness trek, but continue on, trusting in the tender mercies of God to finish what He's graciously started within me: the development of holy, righteous character to be completed at the First Resurrection, when the saints will be born again - literally transformed from human to divine, from flesh and blood to holy Spirit!

Here are a few articles I've written that mention the authentic Worldwide Church of God and/or aspects of conversion for folks to consider:

Sneak Preview of the Kingdom of God

A Higher Calling: Quest for the Kingdom of God

Israel Work History (Worldwide Church of God)

The Plain Truth About Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God

Worldwide Church Of God All Over Again?

Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God Mentioned in Israeli Newspaper

Was Herbert W. Armstrong Elijah?

Herbert W. Armstrong Was Ahead of His Time!

Mama Evans

Overcome in Christ Daily

Don't Give Up!

Miriam Weiss: Holocaust Survivor and Kibbutz Mother

http://www.davidbenariel.org/