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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Jesus died on the cross to bear sin's punishment for believers. Many people have doubted Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, despite historical evidence. Muslims question, "W...
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Gary Patton
Supporter
No one can come to Jesus, "God The One & Only" unless s(he) is drawn by our heavenly Father (John 6:44). In that context, each Jesus Follower's commanded-duty is to make Disciples as we're going along (Matthew 28:18-20). Regrettably, Muslims are taught that the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible have been corrupted. They are told that they are not the Torah or the Injil referenced in the Qur'an (Koran). Imams instruct their Congregations that they must not believe what the Bible says or even read it. These Islamic teachings and their belief by most Muslims can represent a major blockage in using the Bible to share truths about Jesus in the traditional way we, His Followers, normally are taught. A new approach to sharing the authentic Jesus is being used by some in East Africa. It combines the above two realities as God always intended. There Muslim sheikhs are becoming followers of Jesus through a self discovery method that allows Holy Spirit to speak to them. (See definition of a 'sheikh' at http://goo.gl/w2uqRJ.) There are now about 70 documented, self-multiplying movements amongst Muslims. All have the element of self-discovery. Here's how self-discovery works. East African Sheikhs are divided into groups of 4 to discuss for one day what the Qur'an says about Muhammad and then came back and share their insights with the group. Following are some key issues: Qur'an 46:9 "I am no new thing among the messengers, nor know I what will be done with me or with you... I am but a plain warner." Mohammad was only a warner. Qur'an 41:43 "So know (Oh Muhammad), that there is no deity except Allah and ask for the forgiveness of your sin..." Mohammad was a sinner. Qur'an 4:3 Allows a man to take 4 wives but Muhammad took a 5th and that the wife of his adopted son which Qur'an 4:23 considers taboo. Mohammad did not follow the Qur'an. Their conclusion? Mohammad is not fit to be a prophet of God. The second day they are again divided into groups of 4 and asked to discuss what the Qur'an says about Jesus. Their insights from the Qur'an are: Qur'an 3:45- 47 Isa (Jesus) came directly from Allah, did not have a father and never sinned. Isa is holy. Qur'an 3:49 Isa worked miracles and raised the dead. Isa has power over death. Qur'an 3:55 Isa traveled the straight path from Allah to earth and returned to Allah in heaven. Isa knows the way to heaven. Qur'an 3:50 Isa confirms the Torah and to do your duty to Allah you must obey Isa. Their conclusion? Jesus is the Son of God, the only way of salvation. This method uses the Qur'an as a bridge and avoids the issue of Muslum teaching that the Christian New Tesstament is corrupted and not the Torah or Injil of the Qur'an. What does the Qur'an say about the Old and the New Testament? Is there a bridge to them? Yes! Qur'an 3:3-4 "He has sent down upon thee the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it, and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel aforetime, as guidance to the people, and He sent down the Salvation." The Torah and Gospel are in the Bible which was sent from God. Qur'an 5:46 &66 promises guidance, light & showers of blessings to those who read the Old and New Testaments. Qur'an 6:115 says that the Word of the Truth is perfected and that nothing can change His words. Qur'an 57:27 "We gave to them Isa and the Injil." From a Muslim's point of view, Allah gave Jesus and the New Testament although neither is what the Qur'an really describes. One of the sheikhs said, "The translation of the Qur'an (into the vernacular) is changing everything. Before, it was only in Arabic, which no one understood. It did not matter if I blessed my people or cursed them in Arabic, they would just say Amen. Today, knowledge is growing. I have graduated more than 200 students from my madrasa. When we compare Muhammad and Isa, we see a big gap. There is no comparison. We are troubled by the way other Muslim sheikhs are keeping our people in the dark. Now that we know the tr
Penny G. Vera
Supporter
Wow! These are all great answers, and work together. I just want to add one thing. Our testimonies; The Holy Spirit uses the conscience as a primary avenue of communication to discern right from wrong, wise decisions from unwise ones. The conscience is that faculty by which one distinguishes between the morally right and wrong. Which urges one to do that which he recognizes to be right, and restrains him from doing that which he recognizes to be wrong, which passes judgment on his acts and executes judgment within his soul. Rom 2:14-15 In the beginning the Holy God created earth and man perfectly. But, Adam and Eve fell to the temptation of Satan and disobeyed God. Ever since Adam's sin, Sin has infected the human race. When Eve listened to Satan, temptation took place, when he told her she would be like God knowing good from evil. Eve decided to trust and obey Satan rather then trusting and obeying God. And so did Adam. When they put their faith in Satan, Man fell into darkness. Why would God desire a relationship with fallen Man., when man chose self desire over obedience to Him? Taking it forward, 1-20-2015 As I was brousing through TV Stations I came upon a show I was warned about. "Modern Family life". I was warned this show is not the family life God designed! So I should not watch it. But Curiousity got to me, Satan say's Its's ok, just watch it once and judge for yourself if its good or bad. I fell! And watched the show, and the one after that. Yes I obeyed Satan, I disobeyed God, I fell just like Adam and Eve. My Concience convicted me. But God's Mercy endures forever. I repented this morning, and them read this Question and Answers. And I knew what I had done, I felt deep shame and sorrow. But I don't blame anyone, I made the choice, therefore I repented and will not ever watch that show or the one after it again. God forgives me. The point, Personal Testimonies is another tool to show people who God is and why Jesus had to die for us.
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
The question is: "How do we explain to a Muslim why Jesus had to die for us?" Answer: First, we should tell our Muslim friend why Jesus had to die for him/her and for all of mankind. The Koran explains the fall of Adam and Eve's transgression so that is a good starting point. Beginning with Adam and Eve being put out of the garden so they could not have access to the tree of life is exactly where one should start explaining the need for the death of the coming one promised in Gen:3:15. It is that one whose death will reconcile all of humanity back to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and yes Ishmael. Why does mankind need to be reconciled to the one God the Muslims believe in? It is in order to have access to that God and Father of the lord Jesus the anointed one. It is in order that we can be enabled to understand the message testimony of Jesus about the soon coming Kingdom of God that it was necessary for Jesus to die. It was in order that we can have our sins put aside and walk in newness of life because of the spirit of God/Jesus indwelling us. It was in order that we can be enabled to become glorified, immortal, human being as Jesus is now when we are resurrected at his glorious return which we pray for when we say You kingdom come! Jesus died in order that all peoples might have the opportunity to have a place of rulership under him in the soon coming Kingdom of God. There is only one name available that enables on to be delivered from the wrath that is surely coming and that name is Jesus - Yehoshua - YHVH delivers/saves.
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
This question hits me pretty hard. I found that I had a major dislike for Muslims. I fully condemned them instead of showing them love as the Bible tells us to do. Until I had a dream (that I believe was from God). In my dream, God told me to tell Muslims that He loved them but that they were not children of the promise that was given to Abraham. But that they could be. (Romans chapter 9, Galatians chapter 4 and Acts chapter 2) In other words, they were just like us. Neither they nor us were born into the promise. (Romans chapter 11) The good news (the Gospel) is that God loves us. All of us including Muslims. We are both gentiles. And He loves us so much that that He sent his only Son to die for us, in our place. This brings us to two questions. The first question is "Why did Jesus have to die?" The second question is who qualifies as "us". Answer to first question: God is omnipotent. Basically, to me, what that means is anything He says must happen. One of the things God has said is that, "The wages of sin is death". This means that anyone who sins is sentenced to die. Sin has been committed and therefore death is required. So what if you could find someone who is willing to die for you? Would that fulfill your sentence? Let us just say that I came to the judge and said, "I want to save this man. Take my life for his." The judge would reply, "I have checked the records and I see that you have also sinned. You already owe your life for your own sin. You cannot use it to pay for his sin." If I then asked the judge, "What then can be done to save this man?" The judge would reply. "You must find someone who has never sinned who is willing to give his own life to pay for this man's sin". The Bible tells us there is no one who has not sinned. Therefore God had to send a version of Himself, His Son, who was capable to live without sin and was willing to die for us to pay for our sins. Jesus is that son. After living a life as a man but without sinning, He died a horrible death willingly to pay for the sins of man that we might be free from the sentence of death! That brings us to the question, "Who did Jesus die for?" The answer to that question is everyone who would believe in Him. Believe that He was the son of God. Believe that He was sent to willingly die for you because of His Love for you. His and God's. They as God LOVE you! When you believe this with all your heart, you will be grafted into the promise and become one of the descendants of Abraham who qualifies for the promise. You will receive your gift from Him. A gift you didn't earn but one He gives you because of His love for you. All you have to do to accept this gift is to continue to believe in Him with all your heart. Because you believe in Him you will repent from your sin and love Him and want to please Him. You will want to try to keep his commandments which he tells are all included in, "You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength AND you will love others as yourself"!
Jose Evangelista
Supporter
You explain Christian theology only to those (including Muslims) who are willing to, wants to, and interested to listen. Always remember, you (even including the Apostles) were not given the power to convert anyone. That power is reserved by the Heavenly Father to Himself. Remember the admonition of Jesus: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him" (John 6:44). The Apostles were only given the commission to preach the gospel into the world, so that those that are being drawn by the Father will hear and understand and be converted -- but for the rest, they will not understand.
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