by Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001)
HE HAD STUDIED FOR THE PRIESTHOOD
One Sunday night after I had preached, baptized, and returned to my study, I found a young man waiting to talk to me. He was obviously a young man of culture and refinement. This was his story:
He had been to seminary to study for the priesthood. Questions began to arise as to why they did not teach more Bible in the seminary, and the professors were unable to answer these questions to his satisfaction. These and other things led to his resignation and withdrawal from school.
He then became a doubter and a "religious drifter." The following is what he said:
"I have no emotion and no feeling about God or anything else.
"I spent three years in the service and saw men die by my side. My thoughts were, 'That's their tough luck and my good luck. Glad it wasn't me.'
"I had no emotion over anything.
"In January I was invited to the First Baptist Church. I did not like your preaching at first; however, I did feel that you were sincere, and I returned. Again and again I returned. I became more and more interested in what you were saying. You seemed sincere and honest.
"This morning as you were preaching on Thomas, the doubter, you spoke of the fact that Jesus loved Thomas and that He loved also the doubter sitting in the audience. I knew immediately God gave you these words for me. I was that doubter.
"For the first time in years I found a lump in my throat, and my eyes filled with tears. If what you have is real, I want it."
In a few moments I told him the same old story that I have told from coast to coast and around the world. We bowed and prayed, and he received Christ as his Saviour.
It was a real thrill for me to tell him after he was saved that he had finally become a priest. He had studied for the priesthood but found an acceptance to Christ makes one a priest immediately.
The next Sunday night he was in the service again. The interesting thing is, that night another man came forward who had also studied for the priesthood in a Catholic seminary.
This young man is now married and regularly attends the services of the First Baptist Church of Hammond.
