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How to witness to those from other faiths
Considering that over eighty percent of the world's population adheres to some variety of religious faith and the Great Commission in Matthew 28 and Mark 16, is not optional... as believers we should be asking 'How do we witness to those from other faiths?'
We don't neccessarily need to be a self proclaimed authority on all other religions and cults, however if we don't know anything about what others believe how are we supposed to relate to them?
Here then are hopefully a few helpful pointers and leading questions to enable us to share our faith in Jesus the Messiah with those from other faiths.
On a practical note it is always useful to allow the other person to state what they believe even if you are extremely familiar with the doctrinal statements espoused by their particular creed. There is often a massive spectrum of beliefs and differences of opinion within a particular faith.
Secondly of course we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope within us, but we should do that in meekness and fear (see 1 Peter 3:15) Meekness doesn't mean scurrying around like a scared mouse, but it does mean demonstrating humility and grace when sharing your faith. Fear refers to the fear of God and certainly not the fear of mankind!
Both the witness of words and actions are important. If your actions don't marry up with what you profess quite rightly the person you are trying to win over for Jesus will probably not give you the time of day. Having said just being nice and loving is not enough. I know plenty of nice and loving people from other faiths and that have no faith at all but if they don't know Jesus as their personal Saviour then ultimately that will be of no benefit to them.
St Francis of Assisi said 'Preach and if necessary use words! Really? What did Paul say in Romans 10:14 'HOW THEN SHALL THEY CALL ON HIM IN WHOM THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED? AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? AND HOW SHALL THEY PREACH UNLESS THEY ARE SENT?'
1) Ask your friend from another faith what assurance they have of their salvation because it's usually pretty bleak. I've spoken to Muslims who like many Catholics expect to go through a type of purgatory before entering heaven! Purgatory is never mentioned in scripture or even implied. Interestingly penances were devised in the middle ages (paying of your sins through either self denial or pay money which was extremely convenient for the wealthy and business minded clergy!) Most Muslims can only be guaranteed salvation in their terms through dying for their faith which is not too reassuring either. Catholics try to earn their salvation through works, observing the sacraments are praying to Mary, but even Mary said that her heart rejoices in Jesus her Saviour' (see Luke 1:46-47)
Hindus attempt to break out of the 'cycle of reincarnation' if they are good enough. Buddhists try and achieve 'nirvana' trying to free themselves from all distractions but again there is no guarantee of salvation. Most Jehovah's Witness don't make the upper tier of the privileged 144,000 which obviously refers to Israel, as 12,000 are sealed from each of the twelve tribes - it does not refer to a two tier system of Christianity!
The Christian is saved by grace not of works lest anyone should boast (See Eph 2:8-9) The Christian is sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit and Paul reminds us that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved!
2) Preach the resurrection! With the greatest respect Mohammad, Buddha and Confucius are no longer with us! Jesus is exalted at the right hand of the Father and is able to continually make intercession for us on our behalf. Jesus rose from the grave and also brought back others to life and which gives us the assurance as believers that when we die we will be with Him. Who moved the stone because the authorities didn't want Jesus body to be stolen as He had already caused such a stir? Why where the disciples afraid except John and Mary etc, to be with Jesus while He was on the cross, yet afterwards they were all martyred for their faith, except possibly John ? (not mentioning Judas Iscariot's end!!)
3) Preach the deity of Jesus. In some form or another all of the Christian cults attack the deity of Jesus. In other words they say that Jesus is not equal to His Father! It was similar during the early church where Gnostic's taught that Jesus didn't actually die on the cross, or someone else died in His place. Other variations of Gnostic's taught that Jesus appeared in the form of a phantom/ghost and was fully God but not man. Read the Gospels and it is clear that Jesus is both the Son of God and the son of man! Most of the Christian cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Christian Science etc emerged a couple of hundred years ago, added to Scripture, brought in ideas that contradict Scripture and of which they have no proof.
4) There is proof concerning what Scripture says. Try googling historical/archaeological evidence for the Bible! Do the same with the Qu'ran or the book of Mormon and compare the difference!! Go to the British Museum and look at the exhibits from Greek, Roman, Syrian, Assyrian and Babylonian cultures and maybe investigate the massive amounts of historical data in agreement with Scripture!
5) The proof of the prophetic record. There are over 330 prophecies concerning Jesus the Messiah contained in the Old Testament that are specific. Can the same be said of any other belief of holy book?
6) The emphasis is not on us but on God! Without faith it is impossible to please God but our faith must be in Him not in ourselves!
7) What sort of a God do your friends believe in. With the greatest respect Muslims would argue that Allah is unknowable! Do the Hindus know any of their myriads of Gods? Do Buddhists really achieve what they are searching for when they think they know who they really are?
We have a God who knows us intimately, the number of hairs on our head and who understands our ways. Furthermore Jesus loved us so much that He died for our sins on the cross suffering excruciating pain, he was whipped, had his beard plucked, whilst God He was humiliated and separated temporarily from His Father who He had known for all eternity. He allowed Himself to be born in a manger, the most humble birth whilst being God!
What use is a god you don't know and that doesn't care about you? Jesus died for our sins so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life!
Amen! |
