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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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EVANGELISM TO Pastor I. CHRISTIANITY AND
ANTI-SEMITISM A. The Reality of
Anti-Semitism 1. The
reality of Anti-Semitism is accepted almost universally. Those who deny it do
not fully understand history or the Bible. 2. Anti-Semitism is hostility toward or
discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group. The term
anti-Semitism was coined in 1879 by the German agitator Wilhelm Marr to
designate the anti-Jewish campaigns underway in central 3. Some see the beginnings of Anti-Semitism
as far back as 162 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes
dismantled the walls of Jerusalem, burned the city, carried away the Temple
treasures, and sacrifieced a pig upon the altar,
known as the “abomination of desolation.” It was at this time that the
Samaritans denied any Jewish relationship and began to worship on 4. The Jews were expelled from 5. Extreme
instances of Anti-Semitism include the German Crusade of 1096, the expulsion from England in 1290, the Spanish Inquisition, the expulsion
from Spain in 1492, the expulsion
from Portugal in 1497, and the most infamous, the Holocaust
under Adolf Hitler's
Nazi
Germany. Under the Nazi Regime (1939-45)
about 6 million Jews, including 1.5 million children, were systematically
killed from. 6. Anti-Semitism continues today with
graffiti on synagogues, racial slurs, and the political Anti-Zionism
(ideology that rejects a homeland for Jewish people). B. True Christianity is not
Anti-Semitic 1. Unfortunately,
much of Anti-Semitism has come in the name of Christianity. Evangelism can
sometimes be next to impossible (humanly speaking) because of the barriers
that have been built. 2. However, true Christianity, such as was
in the New Testament, and the Christianity that Paul wrote about was not
Anti-Semitic. a) Paul had
a great zeal and burden for his own people (Ro 9:1-3; 10:1). b) Often, believers desired to minister the
gospel to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles (Ro 1:16 cp. Ac 9:20; 13:5;
14:1; 17:1). c) The apostles were all Jewish and dealt
with Jewish issues (Ac 15:5-6ff). d) Jesus Himself was a Jew, born of the
lineage of David (Mt 1:1, 6, 17; 2:2; Lk 1:27; 2:21-22, 27) and lived the
perfect Jewish life under the Law (Mt 3:15; Ga 4:4). e) Christians believe that the Lord gave the
Old Testament to the Jewish people, which is included in the Christian Bible
(Ro 3:2; 9:4). f) Many Christians are pro-Israel and
pro-Zionist because of the Abrahamic Covenant (Ge 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:7;
17:8). g) Many Christians believe that God will
fulfill His future covenant (Je 31:31). 3. Though
Christians have been guilty of Anti-Semitism, it would be fallacious to label
all Christians, especially true Christians, as Anti-Semitic. C. Christianity’s Doctrinal
Defense 1. In
addition, it would be wrong to classify Christianity as Anti-Semitic on the
basis that it defends Christian doctrine. 2. All religions defend their own doctrine,
or at least they used to, including Judaism. Comparing Christianity’s
doctrine with Judaism’s doctrine is no different than comparing its doctrine
with another Christian church or sect. 3. In fact, the Scriptures, both OT and NT,
exhort the people of God to distinguish between true and false doctrine (Dt 18:20-22; 1Jn 4:1), guard doctrine (Dt 4:5-10) and preach doctrine (Ps 40:9; Is 53:1; 61:1-3;
2Ti 4:1-4; Ti 1:9). 4. The true Christian can know that he is
not Anti-Semitic just because he follows the tenets of Christianity, compares
his doctrine with other doctrines, and evangelizes because he believes that
his doctrine is the true one. II. CHRISTIANITY AND JEWISH DOCTRINE A. Introduction 1. First
the Christian must understand that there are three branches of Judaism: a) Orthodox
Judaism - strict Judaism in its observance to the Law of Moses. b) Reform Judaism - liberal Judaism of mere
ethics and principles. c) Conservative Judaism - middle-ground
Judaism between the two 2. Secondly,
it is vital in the evangelism to the Jews that Christians understand the
beliefs of Judaism. 3. It is therefore imperative that the
Christian knows the Old Testament, New Testament, and the apologetical
arguments concerning Judaism (Hebrews, Romans, Galatians, etc.). B. Scriptures 1. The
Orthodox Jew believes that the Torah (Pentateuch) is inspired by God and has
a higher place than the rest of the OT. The Reform View holds that the OT is
a human but religious product whereas the Conservative View holds that the OT
is inspired only when God reveals something out of it (Dynamic Inspiration). 2. The Christian belief in the infallible,
inerrant, and inspired word of God (OT and NT) is the basis for all Christian
doctrine. 3. 2Ti 3:16 defines what is meant by
“inspiration.” The word, "inspired," is the Greek word, theopneustos and literally means,
"God-breathed" (theos - God &
pneustos - spirit or breath). The
idea is that the Scriptures have been God-breathed which means they originate
from God and comprise His inerrant Word of God. a) The OT
claims that it is inspired by God in its entirety. (1) The Law
of Moses (Torah, Pentateuch) claimed divine inspiration (God - Ex 34:1; Moses
- Ex 34:27; Dt 31:9). (2) David claimed divine inspiration in the Psalms
(2Sa 23:2; 1Ch 28:19). (3) The Major Prophets claimed divine
inspiration (Is 6:7-9; 30:8; 55:8-11; Ezek 1:3). (4) The Minor Prophets claimed divine
inspiration (Ho 1:1-2; Joel 1:1; Ha 2:2). (5) Man is not to add to God’s Word in
reference to the Law of Moses (Torah, Dt 4:2),
Wisdom Literature (Pr 30:5-6) and the New Testament (Re 22:18). b) Jesus
claimed that the OT was inspired by God (Mt 23:35). (1) Jesus
claimed the Torah was inspired (Gen 2:24; Mt Dt
8:3). (2) Jesus claimed the Psalms were inspired (Mk
12:10 cp. Ps 118:22; Jn 13:18 cp. Ps 41:9). (3) Jesus claimed the Prophets were inspired
(Lk 4:21 cp. Is 61:1-2; Mt 21:13 cp. Je 7:11; Mt
26:31 cp. Ze 13:7). (4) Jesus claimed the Law and the Prophets were
inspired (Mt 5:17; Lk 24:27). c) The
apostles claimed that the OT was inspired by God. (1) Paul
called the OT the Holy Scriptures (Ac 17:2, 11; Ro 1:2; 15:4; 2Ti 3:15) (2) Peter believed the OT Scriptures and
prophecies were under the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures (2Pe 1:20-21;
and NT (2Pe 3:16). C. Original Sin 1. None of
the branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Reform, or Conservative) believe in the doctrine of Original Sin. 2. The doctrine of Original Sin can be defined as, Because of the fall of Adam, man possesses a
sinful nature that is passed on from our parents and has corrupted man’s
entire nature and propensities. 3. Sin for the Jew is violating the Ten
Commandments, committing immoral acts, or being guilty of social ills. 4. The Old Testament is clear in defending
the doctrine of Original Sin. a) The
Psalms’ assert that man’s sinful nature is passed on at birth (Ps 51:5; Job
25:4). b) Ro 3:10-18 quotes OT passages to prove
man’s nature has been corrupted in every aspect: (1) Man’s
nature (Ro 3:10 cp. Ps 14:1). (2) Man’s understanding
(Ro 3:11 cp. Ps 14:2). (3) Man’s morality (Ro 3:12 cp. Ps 14:3). (4) Man’s speech (Ro 3:13-14 cp. Ps 5:9; 140:3) (5) Man’s attitude (Ro 3:14 cp. Ps 10:7). (6) Man’s actions (Ro 3:15-17 cp. Isa 59:7). (7) Man’s spirituality (Ro 3:18 cp. Ps 36:1). c) Additional
passages affirming man’s original sin (Ge 6:5; Je 17:9; 13:23) 5. Paul
concludes that every mouth under the Law is stopped and all
the world is accountable to God (Ro 3:19). D. Salvation 1. Even to
the Orthodox Jew, salvation is not necessary because Jewish people presume a
favored standing with God (Ro 2:17-20). Salvation to others comes from
keeping the Law and repentance. 2. The other branches maintain that
salvation is obtained through the betterment of self, society, and Zionism. 3. However, the Old Testament reveals that
all have sinned and are not deserving of salvation. a) All
(including Jews) who sin under the Law shall be judged by the Law (2Ch 19:7; De 10:17; Ps 62:12; Ez
18:4 cp. Ro 2:11-13, 21-23). b) All (including Jews) have sinned and are
guilty of the whole the Law (Job 9:2; Ps 143:2; Ec 7:20; De 27:26 cp. Ja
2:10). E. Messiah 1. According
to Richard Robinson, the Orthodox View holds that the Messiah is a human
being who is not divine. He will restore the Jewish kingdom and extend his
righteous rule over the earth. He will execute judgment and right all wrongs.
(CRI article, “Understanding Judaism: How to
Share the Gospel with Your Jewish Friends”). 2. The Conservative and Reform Views hold
that the Messiah is a … concept of a Utopian age toward which humankind is
progressing, sometimes called the "Messianic Age." (ibid.). Some believe that the Messiah is 3. The Old Testament is very clear in
describing the Messiah. a) The
Messiah would be a prophet (De 18:15, 18). b) The Messiah would sit on the throne of
David (Is 9:7 cp Lk 1:32). c) The Messiah would be righteous (Is
53:11). d) The Messiah would be God (Isa 40:3 cp. Mt
3:3; Ps 45:6 cp Heb 1:8). 4. The Old
Testament is very clear in identifying the Messiah. a) The
Messiah would be of the lineage of Abraham (Ge 22:18 cp. Ga 3:16) and David
(Ps 132:11 cp. Ro 1:3; Joseph’s genealogy - Mt 1:1-1:16 cp. Mary’s genealogy
- Lk 3:23-38). b) The Messiah would be born of a virgin (Is
7:14 cp Mt 1:22-23; Lk 2:7). c) The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of
Judea (Mic 5:2 cp. Mt 2:1). d) The Messiah would be anointed by the
Spirit (Is 11:2 cp. Jn 1:32-34). e) The Messiah would perform miracles (Is
35:5-6 cp. Mt 11:4-6). F. Atonement 1. Judaism’s
view toward atonement is optimistic about man’s efforts being capable of
earning God’s approval. Man is considered able to fulfill God’s desires for
man’s conduct. (Moshe, Beth, Judaism’s Truth Answers the Missionaries,
pg. 6). 2. The Old Testament unequivocally reveals
that the Messiah would make atonement for man. a) The
Messiah would be crucified (Ps 22:16 cp. Jn 19:18). b) The Messiah would be pierced (Ze 12:10 cp. Jn 19:34-37). c) The Messiah would be die
and make atonement (Is 53:5-8, 12 cp. Mt 27:50; Jn 19:30). d) The Messiah would be buried with the rich
(Is 53:9 cp. Mt 27:57-60). e) The Messiah would be resurrected (Ps
16:10; Is 53:10 cp Ro 1:4; 1Co 15:4-8). f) The Messiah would justify many by faith
(Is 53:11; Ps 32:1-2; Ge 15:6 cp. Ro 4:3-8; 23-25). g) The Messiah will come again and III. CHRISTIANITY’S
PRESENTATION OF JEWISH EVANGELISM A. Christians must be
respectful about Jewish sentiments regarding Anti-Semitism. B. Christians must know that they are not
Anti-Semitic just because they embrace and promote Christian doctrine. C. Christians must take an interest in Jewish
affairs. D. Christians must be mighty in the
Scriptures (Ac 18:24-28). E. Christians can use the following
guidelines: 1. Know and share the defense of
Christianity through the Scriptures in OT and NT (See notes above). 2. Establish friendships and show the love
of Christ. 3. Patiently respond to their objections
being ready to teach 4. Realize Jewish Christians become
ostracized |
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