Dear Brother/Sister in Christ,

Hope you’re doing fine.

We couldn’t have our conversation on Thursday but it’s a good thing for everyone as Christians to share our
views and creed. I think sincerity is the best option. Many Christians have conflicts because they do not express
what they really believe, they just try to cozying up with somebody.

You see, none of us are novices in the gospel and I’ll try to be so concise so that we be able to pray for each
other more effectively. And the best to do many cases is share our personal testimony. Let’s begin…

When I was about 10 years of age, my thought was: “I want to live forever” and that desire increased when I
was 15 and 17. I was in sin and that desire was just that, a wishful thinking. About 5 years later things would
change in my life, specifically when I came to the United States from Colombia, native country.

I was not born again in any denominational church. After attending the Roman Catholic Church, I was so
desperate to find the truth and sought in Philosophy what I could not find somewhere else. When someone
introduced to me the Lord Jesus, I repented of my sin, received the Lord and began to follow Him in the way.
Since then, Bible reading and prayer have been a part in my life.

A couple of years later I was water baptized. I recognize this baptism as one of the other ordinances of the
Lord. The other one is Holy Communion, which some churches practice every month, others every week and I
see this as a sound custom since the Lord did not command how often it should be practiced.

I was happy with water baptism but I could feel in my spirit more things were coming from the Lord!
Though I read different books written by Christian authors, my priority was the Bible. The renewal of the mind
mentioned in Romans 12.2 is attained 1) by reading the Word and praying upon it, and 2) by recognizing
other members of the body which bring edification to it.

In April, 1990 I traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where a Camp Meeting would be conducted by evangelist
Jimmy Swaggart. Some other ministers were invited to preach. On Friday 13th in a service of the late evangelist
R.W Schambach after his coworkers and Swaggart ministry team prayed over the candidates to receive the
baptism in the Holy Spirit, somebody laid hands on me, I fell on the floor and was baptized in the Holy Ghost
with the scriptural evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gave me utterance.

Of course I had heard that in some churches and denominations they would say, that tongues, healings and
miracles are not for today. But that experience not only happened with me but with a significant number of
people through centuries and that strong evidence should not be hindered or rejected.

As the known apostle of faith Smith Wigglesworth would say after his baptism in the Holy Spirit: “Before I had
an argument, today I have an experience with God”.

For years, churches and denominations –not remembering they’re following the same Jesus- have been in the
dispute and contention business instead of the edification and exhortation business. And probably, ignoring
Paul’s admonition to not contend upon words or opinions, instead they emerge as big gladiators to confront
and devour each other. It would seem that “winning the argument” matters more than expressing love among
brethren, when actually Jesus himself said: “in this way, they will know that you are my disciples, when you
love one to another”. What a sad picture of the church and what a shame!
Now, it is true that sound doctrine is a must in all churches and we should adhere to Judas’ strong exhortation
to contend for the faith given once to the saints, that is to say, to fight with spiritual weapons not mere verbal
argumentation. But, and here’s a great but, why should we eat one to another instead of going out and face
the devil, who’s actually causing more harm than the one we do all together?

Unfortunately brother, denominationalism expressed not in legal recognition in society but doctrinal particular
beliefs promote division instead of unity. I think the Body of Christ should be occupied like the Bereans to
search the Scriptures and more importantly promote Unity in the body of Christ.

Order is good not only with emphasis on structure but on the Word.
I believe brother that miracles did not end on the apostolic era, same thing for the healing ministry and I can
attest, that I’ve been a witness of the miraculous power of God for the benefit of many. I even myself have laid
hands of the sick and some have recovered, and have commanded evil spirits to come out of some and they
have obeyed my word, due to the authority given to us believers in Christ.

I believe in the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues; I believe in prophecy, discernment of spirits, and
all the gifts of power. The Lord has given me dreams with interpretations and I have seen them being fulfilled.
Why should I deny the power of God and criticize those who believe in it or condemn those who do not? Why
should I put people down if they don’t still believe in it? The Lord Jesus Christ had a lot of patience on me
when I was an idolater; don’t you think I should have the same measure of compassion not only with the
unbelievers, but , with people who have at least confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior?

I have been in different churches and congregations. I have gathered together with different people, different
cultural background, different language than mine, yea, different views, yet, I have perceived the aroma of
God in them. I have met quiet people, I have met noisy people. And I would dare to say both were in order. I
have searched the Scriptures (Jesus mentioned “many”) also I have been a witness of language evolution
though the years.

In conclusion, I must confess that I’ve been disappointed by some who just want to attack, ridicule and destroy
believers instead of going out to missions and be where the action really is. While this happens, others keep
voicing out bitter words, resentment, confirming doctrine deviation.

My final invitation to all Christians is to procure the unity in faith, not the unity in opinion, ‘cause that thing will
never happen.

Thank you then for your time on this visitation of one of the members of the Body of Christ. God bless you.

In Christ’s,

Jimmy Victoria
Email: jimmyqns@gmail.com