DENNIS SCHMIDT CHRISTIAN FAITH WALK TESTIMONIAL (5/2015)

As a young person, I attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran church which placed the Bible as the prime source of knowing God and centered on justification by faith over the law. After being confirmed, I attended less often. I married a Jewish girl in the Lutheran church and a Jewish center. I continued to attend church a few times a year. I now have been married to the same women for 40+ years and have two children and three grand-children. I was educated and worked as an electronic engineer with my last employment at IBM for 24 years, the last 9 for which I was in intellectual properties/patents (18 of mine) as an creative idea facilitator.

I always had a desire to study scripture. After reading New Testament books several times over a few months, I would stop for periods up to years. After starting a new job in which their were Christian Pentecost and Baptist individuals who sometimes discuss religions, I suggested we have a Bible reading lunch group that allowed discussions, but it would be centered on reading scriptures. The group meetings allow me to read scriptures several times a week. I was told that I needed to be born again by praying the sinners prayer to Jesus.

At 33 years of age, I asked Jesus into my life. Because of my Lutheran faith understanding, I believed Jesus came into me and forgave my sins. Faith to me is believing the word of God and not looking at the events in my life. My life did changed over the next several weeks as I realized I was studying scriptures several hours daily.

I wanted to understand what Pentecostal and Baptist believe among other churches doctrines, I borrowed Christian tapes from on-line ministries. I listen to as many Christian teachers as possible. I also listen to Christian TV ministries. I took notes on both Pro & Con on each doctrine while centering my beliefs on Biblical scriptures.

As I began to understand many doctrines, I started to write papers with 90% KJV Bible scripture and limited man's comments to 10%. For each paper, I discussed these doctrines with my Pentecostal and Baptist friends. After understanding that some churches limited their doctrine beliefs to a few Pro scriptures while ignoring the Con scriptures, I became more centered on using all scriptures in my papers.

I purchased the first “Quick-verse” Bible study PC software. This allowed me to understand many related scriptures and other authors teachings on the subject. I soon realized I was studying scriptures 20+ hours a week.

I sent my papers to many Christian friends with limited feedback. I assume Christians, in general, follow whatever their church teachers. In general, they do not search the scriptures to find if these doctrines are correct.

When the Internet became available, I put my Christian papers on line in my website: http://midibit.com/dennis Over the years my website grew to become one of the first ten websites searched in most search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc) using key words: Inductive Bible Study (Most Books of Bible: John) or (Topics studies: Multiple Raptures) or Key Topic Areas: Salvation Biblical Word Glossary). I continue studying God's word and update my website with what God showed me. I have received a number of people writing me concerning my teachings both Pro and Con. This allowed me to discuss God's Word with them. I was also in a number of Bible discussion groups.

During my faith walk with God, I was involved with Billy Graham ministries, several Hebrew Christian (Jewish) ministries, Faith ministries, and Deeper Word Study Bible ministries, God guided me to these ministries to teach me His truths on many topics and to enhance my faith. All of these ministries with their teachers had an impact on what I believe. I praise God who has Saved me, Baptized me with the Holy Spirit, and continues to guide me in His faith walk.

I attended a number of independence full gospel churches and even taught at some of them. I presently center my church attendance on worshiping God through the praise music and participate in a Bible centered study group. I still look on the Internet for God's teachings, religious ideas, and to share my beliefs with others.

God has lead me into many ministries and out of a few. I depend on God to guide me. I find Him showing me many deeper studies for which I am not following some of His truths because of my lack of truth/understanding, flesh weakness/poor faith, sin, or other teachings. I am now in my 70's, and have come a long way in my Christian Faith growth walk, but I remember from where I started.