Hartvig Anderson

Many years ago, I came across the ocean from Sweden to find happiness, make money, and then go back home. Instead, I found something better than money, and I never went back to the Old Country.

While I was still in Sweden, I became very ill. As I lay in the hospital nearing eternity, I prayed that God would give me another chance. I am glad that God sees the heart, because I got out of that hospital and the way was opened for me to travel to the United States.

I never knew anything about salvation—that you could get victory over sin and know Christ for yourself. In Sweden, we participated in all the worldly pleasures and then went to church on Sunday. We mixed it all up together and thought we could still make Heaven somehow.

Shortly after I arrived in the United States, I came into contact with the Apostolic Faith Church in the Midwest. I was trying to live a better life at the time, but I had no victory over sin. I listened to the testimonies given during a street meeting and God spoke to my heart. He said, “They are telling the truth.” One night I came clean before God and asked Him to be merciful to me, a sinner. He saved me and gave me real victory.

I read in an Apostolic Faith paper that people were being sanctified. What joy came into my heart when I read about sanctification! I moved to Portland, Oregon, and God sanctified me one Sunday afternoon. That day, the minister preached, “If you will seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him.” I sought Him, and He sanctified me. About five hours later, He baptized me with the Holy Ghost and fire.

God helped me to go back over my past life and straighten it out; pay old bills that I had left unpaid, and make restitution for things I had stolen during my childhood.

I have peace, happiness, and victory over sin every day. It is wonderful! I thank God I have a real hunger for that precious Word of God. I love it. I ‘eat’ it. It is everything to me. It gives me faith and victory and a love for God and His people.