and
Sharing The Good News with Other Faiths and Beliefs
These Basic Guidelines and small P.O.R. Building Blocks
are meant to add to your P.O.R. / point of reference
and help you understand people of other faiths and beliefs
and should NEVER be used in a malicious way.
I'm also aware that much of this information
may be shocking to those who fall in one of these faiths and or beliefs.
Please note this information isn't directed at any one person
as much as it is being provided to help those who follow Jesus Christ
to have a better understanding of other faiths and beliefs
and how to better share Jesus Christ in conversation with the world around you.
Some of you may even be faithful believers
and followers of Jesus Christ who may not even be aware
of the error you are in bondage to.
No worries.
God will speak to you and reveal the TRUTH to you
as long as you humble yourself. Key word self.
Fact is, we all have room to grow
in our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
May we set ourselves aside as we move forward
and become more knowledgeable about sharing Jesus Christ
with a lost and broken world whom God loves so dear.
And we know this to be self evident and true
because God gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ
to save us and so much more.
With that being said let's continue.
Latter Day Saints or The Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses:
The LDS have a strong ground game but after a few KJV references.
They will generally try to direct you to the book of Mormon.
They claim the angel Moroni reveled the location of some golden plates
to Joseph Smith for him to translate from Reformed Egyptian into English.
Which is now the book of Mormon.
The Jehovah's witnesses will fall in the same category.
Called the New World Translation.
and
Not to question it's magazine publications or literature.
They produce 83 million
copies every 4 months
in 343 languages of their Watchtower
and
Awake magazines, which include study editions.
So when they say. Hey, let's have a bible study.
It's actually a study of the Watchtower magazines and books.
They claim to be the only true believers and the only way.
While claiming that God created Jesus.
And lastly, The Jehovah's Witness movement
formed it's beginnings out of the Seventh Day Adventist.
But, we will address them next.
Now, with that being said.
I would like to show you how a previous P.O.R. can be added to another.
The most simple answer to both organizations
is found in Galatians 1:6-9, KJV, where Paul says,
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him
that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
but there be some that trouble you,
and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you,
let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again,
if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed.
A former Jewish leader who persecuted Christians
Until he was blinded by Jesus Christ Himself on the road to Damascus.
and
Wrote two thirds of the New Testament
through the inspiration of God by The Holy Spirit of God!
Then lost his head literally over what?
The same Paul who became a tent maker to earn a living
so no one could take away his ability to boast in The Good News of Jesus Christ.
Paul said, that even if he himself
or
An angel from Heaven gives you another gospel message let him be cursed.
Think
about it!
Paul says, even if I share a
different gospel message.
Because, both have a different message than the one God has given us.
Both
change The Word of God to suit their needs and agenda.
Sometimes it doesn't take much for someone to see the error in their
ways.
For example:
We
might share Revelation
22:18-19,
KJV, where John says,
18 For I testify unto every man
that heareth The Words of The Prophecy of this Book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book:
shall take away from The Words of The Book of this Prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of The Book of Life,
and out of the Holy City,
and from the things which are written in this book.
Notice they both have done just
that!
We share The Word of God in love.
So we can hopefully direct them back to The Way.
-Jesus Christ
Why?
Because we know and have the responsibility to walk in Truth.
The Word of God
says,
Even the very elect would be deceived.
It's a wise thing to be very aware of this!
Matthew
24:24, KJV, says,
24 For there shall arise false Christs,
and false prophets,
and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Let's look at The Seventh Day Adventist:
They're not free in Christ
because they're still under the law
and believe they get to Heaven by there works.
In this way,
they must abstain from secular work on Saturday's
and the Sabbath must be kept Holy.
The
problem is
something as simple
as leaving your Refrigerator plugged in on the Sabbath,
would disqualify you.
Because technically you're causing the employees
at the Electric company to work on the Sabbath.
They place themselves under The Law
and
By doing so, it not only applies to the one under The Law
But to those who serve or work for the one seeking to be justified by The Law.
The Electric Company,
The Gas Company and the like.
Hope
you don't need gas from Quick Trip
or something from Wal-Mart. Yea Condemnation!
Even
if you found away around James
2:10,
KJV, which says,
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law,
and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Jesus
still addressed this type of stuff often.
They and many others are still works based.
Instead of by grace through faith we do good works,
because He first loved us.
In this situation.
Something as simple as Galatians 2:21, KJV, might work.
No pun intended!
In Galatians 2:21, KJV, The Word of God says,
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God:
for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
I
don't want that to happen. Do you?
Romans
11:6,
KJV, says,
6 And if by grace,
then is it no more of works:
otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then it is no more grace:
otherwise work is no more work.
Or
How about Galatians 5:4, KJV, where The Word of God says,
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
What
does it mean to be fallen from grace?
Ephesians
2:8-9,
KJV, says,
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The simple fact
is this.
Then that would be no different that buying our way into Heaven.
Which isn't possible!
But, it's definitely an insult to God
and
The priceless price He paid
through His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ on The Cross.
If we could work our way to Heaven
it would mean that Jesus died for nothing!
In addition, we could make up our own god or god's.
Emphasis on the little g's.
The simple fact
is people have and do this all the time.
People want their god or god's
and false idols to agree with them or think the way they think.
They want to
feel special or somehow be the select few.
This alone reveals they don't even understand
the most simple and famous Scripture in all The Bible.
John
3:16, KJV, 16
For
God so loved the world,
that he gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
That whosoever believeth in Him
and
Specifically keeps the Sabbath should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
NO,
and if you say it out loud.
You will see that it sounds nothing like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And
the stories go on and on.
You
will find most of the time
you're not speaking against their faith, belief, organization, or church.
and
Lack of freedom they have with their beliefs,
you can speak life into their situations.
Some know there is an issue.
They just don't know how to fix the issue
or
Understand why there's an issue in the first place
because of a lack of understanding.
Believing
they're better than all the others
who don't belong to their special belief
or
Organization.
Let's
look at the Catholic Church:
Understanding even just a few crucial things
about being Catholic will help the conversation move forward in a positive way.
You will find statistically speaking
that around 50% of people who claim to be Christians are Catholics.
Many Spanish people are
Catholic and do not claim to be Christian.
There are many things we could
discuss.
But, here are a few key points to remember.
Then, because they removed this
from The Word of God,
and
Split it into Two to make up for the one they removed.
Because obviously you can't have 9 commandments,
Everyone knows that !
Now, why would someone remove 1 of the 10 Commandments you might ask?
Really, it's quite simple.
In
Exodus 20:4-6,
KJV, The Word of God says,
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
or
Any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above,
or
That is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them,
nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me,
and keep My Commandments.
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image,
neither rear you up a standing image,
neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land,
to bow down unto it:
for I am the Lord your God.
It's
important to understand their reason for removing
and changing The Commandments of God.
So
the question is. Why would they do this?
The reason is a straight forward
one.
Their churches are full of graven images and idols!
with standing images made of stone
with places prepared to kneel
and
Worship before these graven images.
Basically, the entire Catholic Church
is made up of idols and graven images.
So, they say there's a gray area
when they ask the Blessed Virgin Mary
to pray for them and all who seek her son, Jesus.
So, they believe that there is no
salvation outside of the Catholic church.
Then you may still achieve salvation
through the merits of the church,
Despite your lack of knowledge.
While
the above statement is obviously false
many people still fall into this type of deception.
and
Confessing your sins to the priest
instead of asking Jesus Christ to forgive you.
None of this matters because the Catholic church
can never hide all their graven images and idols.
They openly and blatantly disregard The Word of God
and
His commandments.
And, so many people fall prey to
it's deception,
because of the beauty of these images or the reverence they somehow feel.
But
hey, the Catholic church changed it in the Bible,
so nor harm, no foul right...
Wrong!
One final note:
Many
have never truly received Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior.
Many
were sprinkled with water or baptized
by their parents leading
and
not on their own
and
Because of this, they've never made
a personal decision to truly follow Christ.
This is why you're there,
To explain that Jesus Christ
wants a personal relationship with them.
And,
He is The One True Mediator between us and God.
He
is The One who faithfully forgives us
and
Sets us free !
Explaining,
While it's OK to confess our sins to one another,
It is Jesus Christ alone who forgives us
and
Sets us free !
Speaking
of freedom.
How would you share with someone who's history is consumed with slavery?
Let's take a look at Judaism:
Sharing The Good News with someone who is a devout Jew
or someone who has grown up surrounded by Judaism can be very difficult.
Jewish people can be very set in
their ways.
Especially when it comes to Jesus Christ.
They
also believe Jesus Christ is the most influential
and
damaging of all false messiahs.
Romans 11:25-32, Speaks about Israel having hard hearts
and how they're enemies of The Good News.
A former Jewish leader who gave his life for Jesus Christ
Is an excellent way to communicate
with those who are blind to The Truth.
Notice
how these P.O.R.'s
tie into sharing with so many different beliefs,
with the subtle changes.
While the history of Paul is a
thought provoking one,
we need to remember there's a deeper issue here.
and
Jewish people respond better to the Old Testament,
because they don't believe in the New Testament
Even though the New Testament is mostly from a Jewish perspective.
or
If time allows you could simply read Isaiah 53, to them personally.
Why Isaiah
53?
Because Most Rabbis' avoid Isaiah 53, at all cost.
It's
almost never taught in Temple and is considered
“The Forbidden Chapter” in the Hebrew Bible.
The reason it's avoided is the entire chapter is about Jesus Christ.
If you can reveal this Truth to
someone and,
they are being honest with themselves,
they will see Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah 53, from beginning to end.
Why wouldn't you want to admit
that Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah
53?
You would be admitting your people killed God.
And,
Not just any death.
The most Unbearable, Gruesome, Heart Wrenching Death
Of anyone to ever to walk the face of the planet!
Jesus Christ was Struck in the Face,
Blindfolded, Beaten, Spit Upon,
and
His Beard was Pulled Out.
He was Treated with Contempt,
Mocked, and Flogged
which is Worse than being Whipped.
The whip used in
a flogging
had either bones or balls attached to the end of it and was called a flagellum.
This flagellum often called a cat-o-nine tails
was usually about 6 or 7 feet long with 9 leather straps,
3 at the least and at the end of the straps
were small lead balls mixed with pieces of animal bone or metal.
He was stripped of all His clothing
and
tied to a post
Where He was stuck 39 times
Ripping His Skin, Muscle,
and
Body Apart with this Apparatus.
He was Stripped of His clothes again
likely Tearing the Skin off His Body
From the Dried Blood that had Adhered to the Cloth.
Then He was Struck on the Head with a Reed
Driving the Crown of Thorns Deeper into His Head.
These
thorns would have been at least 2 inches long
and
Extremely sharp.
or
at least the cross beam of His cross to the crucifixion site.
Unable to carry it on His own.
The Romans made a man named Simon
from Cyrene help Him carry it to the crucifixion site.
He was Lifted up
and
a Spear was eventually Thrust Through His Side.
It was an Agonizing, Torturous,
and Slow Death!
In Isaiah 52:14, HCSB, The Word of God says,
14
Just as many were appalled at You —
His
appearance was so disfigured
that He did not look like a man,
and His form did not resemble a human being—
He is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins.
Moving
Forward
What if you meet someone who attends The Church of Christ?
The first thing you need to know is they do not allow musical instruments in church services.
That they declare any church who uses musical instruments
As not being a true, biblical, or godly church.
Some Church of Christ also have
the same claim
as others on this list like the Catholic Church and Jehovah 's Witnesses,
claiming to be “ The One True Church, “ outside of which there is no salvation.
Note: Not all Church of
Christ claim to be The One True Church, Just some.
But, be aware that exclusive access to salvation
is common with cults and false teaching.
That usually goes unnoticed
due to the whole no musical instruments dilemma.
Is how fanatical they are about their emphasis on baptism
as being necessary for Salvation.
They will generally take you into
small study groups
and go over and over this until you become a member by baptism.
Explaining that by being baptized you'll receive salvation through Jesus Christ.
Why is this an issue?
While being baptized is amazing
and we should follow in the foot steps of Jesus Christ.
Regardless of the Truth,
They will use scriptures from Mark, John, Acts,
and 1 Peter to say baptism is the only way.
And,
If we read those scriptures as one liners,
out of context,
or
without an understanding of The Gospel,
It could easily seem to be true.
There's many people who may
think.
What's the big deal anyway?
Being baptized is a wonderful way to confirm a clear conscious.
We must always remember.
True Salvation Only comes by Grace through Faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this way,
no one can boast
in their own righteousness.
Here
are Two Examples
The first example is the thief on the cross.
He would enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Why is this important?
He couldn't pull the nails out of his body
and
jump off the cross to go be baptized.
Remember,
the thief couldn't do any good deeds
to earn his way into Heaven.
He could only trust
and
rely on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Just as we should only trust
and
rely on Jesus Christ for Salvation
and
not upon ourselves.
Now, most people who have been
with the Church of Christ for very long will say.
God is God! And, because He is God,
He has full right to make an exception to the rules.
Only for the thief on the cross and no one else.
How should we respond to this?
Is to lovingly put it back in context.
Let's look at John 3:5,
They will use this scripture to cause someone to be baptized
out of fear of not getting into heaven.
John
3:5,
KJV says,
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of The Spirit,
he cannot enter into The Kingdom of God.
OK, let's begin to put The Word
of God back in context.
We will see The Truth!
3 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born again, he cannot see The Kingdom of God.
How can a man be born when he is old?
can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of The Spirit,
he cannot enter into The Kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of The Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The Answer is This
When
you were born the first time in your Mother's womb,
you were born of water.
Your Mother's
water even broke
and you were born into this world.
In this mortal dirt body.
And, born into the law of sin and death.
Now,
when you're born again the second time,
it must be by The Spirit.
Because,
that which is born of The Spirit is Spirit.
You must be born
through your Mother's womb the first time,
Which is by water.
And,
The second time,
You must be born
again through The Spirit
By a freewill decision,
by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Scripture is very clear
that Jesus Christ
did not come to baptize by water like John the baptist.
The Word of God
declares that Jesus Christ
came to baptize with The Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost and Fire.
The Church of
Christ
will use Scriptures that seem to have a gray area
when talking about baptism. Like, Mark 16:16, KJV,
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Notice
in Mark
16:15,
KJV, Jesus said,
15 And He said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach The Gospel to every creature.
and
Being a witness of The Good News.
Which is Salvation in Jesus Christ alone.
They
will use Acts
22:16,
KJV,
16 And now why tarriest thou?
arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of The Lord.
And,
again if you back up to Acts
22:15,
KJV, you will see The Word of God says,
15 For thou shalt be His witness
unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Let's take a deeper look at The Word God
and
see The Simple Truth made clear.
First things first.
Is John the Baptist the one who saves?
Or
Is Jesus Christ The Only Begotten Son of God The One who Saves?
Well let's see what John the baptist
had to say about this.
In
Matthew 3:11,
KJV, John
said,
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.
But He that cometh after me is mightier than I,
whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
He shall baptize you with The Holy Ghost, and with fire:
You will also find the mirror
image of Matthew 3:11,
in Luke 3:16.
Luke
3:16,
KJV, says,
16 John answered, saying unto them all,
I indeed baptize you with water;
but One mightier than I cometh,
the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose:
He shall baptize you with The Holy Ghost and with fire:
Mark
1:7-8, KJV, Says John, preached, saying,
There cometh One mightier than I after me,
the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water:
but He shall baptize you with The Holy Ghost.
Both Acts 1:4-8, and John 1:25-34, KJV,
go into even more detail
for those who need more Scripture to put this subject into perspective.
The fact is
this.
Therefore,
being baptized into John's baptism can save no one.
Jesus
Christ represents The Spirit of God
who seals all who believe.
You're born again by grace through faith
in Jesus Christ alone.
While the flesh cannot save the flesh.
The
Spirit of God can Save and Seal the Spirit of man.
To reiterate again.
This information is NEVER to be used in an unloving or malicious way.
We are not trying to insult or belittle others.
Our
mission is to guide others towards a faithful, Spirit filled,
and Sealed relationship with Jesus Christ.
Coupled with what they open up and share with us
It will help in sharing The Good News with them
in the most effective and loving way.
Knowing the best thing to do
is know that you know
what you need to know to help them grow
By simply guiding them towards The Truth
that you know to be true.
You could say
something like.
Hey, I just want to let you know
I appreciate you being humble and taking the time to share that with me.
It seems like people are always in such a hurry to get nowhere fast.
So listen,
I want to share something super important with you before you go.
Then begin to
share The Good News
tailored to fit them the best that you know how.
With that
said let's have a brief look
at what you might encounter when speaking to an Atheist.
Atheist:
They have many different backgrounds
and much like the Church
they often disagree with one another on many different issues and ideas.
I've even met an
Evangelizing Atheist one time
and didn't even know there was such a thing.
Ultimately,
if someone lacks an active belief in God,
a god, or god's they're generally an Atheist.
Sometimes you'll
meet an Atheist
and ask to know more about what they believe.
Only to find out they're unknowingly an Agnostic or Deist.
Because usually when someone doesn't know
what they believe or where they stand.
It means they're searching and open to finding The Truth.
The
only real problem is.
Someone hasn't shared The Truth with them yet
and that's why you're there.
They may have
just settled into what seemed right
from the perspective the currently have.
This is when and
why it's our great privilege
to share with them the perspective of God and His great plan.
and
Even see put their faith and trust
in Jesus Christ as there Lord and Savior.
All had a similar point of view.
They believe something came from nothing.
Most Atheist
will ask if there's a God then, where did He come from?
Who made God?
Or
How can God come from nothing?
Then they will
usually state
if God would reveal Himself,
give a sign, or prove He exist in some way.
Then they would believe.
It's
usually best
to start with the something from nothing
by pointing out John 1:1-3, NKJV, Where The Word of God says,
1 In the beginning was The Word,
and The Word was with God,
and The Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Then, continue
with John 1:14, NKJV,
14 And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory,
the glory as of The Only Begotten of The Father,
full of grace and Truth.
When we look in Genesis
1:1-3, NKJV, It
says,
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form, and void;
and darkness was on the face of the deep.
And The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”;
and there was light.
In the Beginning
when there was Nothing.
There actually was Something.
And,
That Something was and is The Word!
You know they exist
because you can hear them coming into being.
It's just by speaking
that He manifest in a tangible way
that you and I can relate to.
Right now you
know I'm breathing air in and out of my lungs
other wise I would pass out and die.
Yet, you cannot see the air entering and exiting my lungs
unless extreme hot or cold temperatures reveal the visual presence of air.
In the same way,
if I were under water breathing out
you could see the air bubbles rising to the surface of the water
and vanishing once again into the atmosphere.
In the beginning was The Word,
and
The Word was with God,
and
The Word was God,
and
The Word became flesh
and
Dwelt among man.
Even Revelation 19:12-13,
NKJV, says,
12 His eyes were like a flame of fire,
and on His head were many crowns.
He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood,
and His name is called The Word of God.
From here you can continue directly into sharing The Good News.
Remember,
regardless if they receive Jesus or not.
Offer prayer so God has the opportunity
to do what God does best and that's be God!
They want so desperately to believe in something.
Some even contemplate suicide
to check out early in order to skip the misery of nothing.
While others believe someone
who spends their life believing in God.
May find they've wasted the only life they had
on something that never existed.
We must have
faith that God will use anything to pursue His lost children.
You may have to request that the prayer you pray with or for them
isn't something completely selfish
or absurd like asking for a million dollars.
You may even request they open there hearts to allow God to be God.
They may not tell you what to pray for
and
You may have to suggest
that the prayer can be something
like a secret desire of there heart
Just between them and God.
This way when it happens
only God could have known what they prayed about.
and
Believe with them that God will answer their prayer
and
reveal The Truth.
At the very least, if you're unable to pray or share.
Point out the fact that Darwinian
Evolution's Champion Richard Dawkins
even suggested in an interview with Ben Stein
when asked about the possibility of intelligent design He said,
“ I suppose it's possible
that you might find evidence for that
if you look at the um detail,
Details of biochemistry,
molecular biology you might find
a signature of some sort of designer,
Um, and that designer
could well be a higher intelligence
from else where in the universe.
But that higher intelligence
would itself of had to have come about
by some explicable
Or
Ultimately explicable process
It couldn't have just jumped into existence spontaneously
That's the point”
Then in another interview
He points out the fact that genes are coded information.
He states that DNA even looks like computer information
and that a chromosome even looks like a long computer tape.
He goes on to say that it's digital code that's even read in sequence.
But we know that because of new developments in technology
And
DNA research that we find this same signature
and it points to intelligent design.
Because to the best of our knowledge
digital information is always a product of a higher intelligence.
If they haven't
heard about this yet.
Let them know they can search and find the videos on YouTube.
The
fact is, even Charles Darwin
the outspoken evolutionist wrote in 1879,
“ I have never been an Atheist
in the sense of denying the existence of a god.
- I think that generally..
An Agnostic
would be the most correct description
of my state of mind.
In light of this
and
Recent developments in DNA research
among other scientific breakthroughs
and
Statements made by Richard Dawkins.
It appears many Atheist
are converting to Agnosticism.
It's
crucial that we understand.
Many Atheist are prideful
and
Hold to the notion
that they're more intelligent
than someone who outright believes in God.
This same intellectual pride
is the reason why many Atheist
are changing they're thought processes
and
Becoming Agnostics.
It's good to point out the above fact.
That even he states he has never been an Atheist.
Then if needed,
you can compel them by pointing out the fact
that the Kingdom of God is seed form.
And, everything produces after it's own kind.
Key word Kind.
While there are
many different birds they're still birds.
After the bird Kind.
After the dog kind
and
people always make people.
Ask them to at least give it some serious thought
and
Remember to never get side tracked into a debate.
It's
OK if people get offended.
Because, as we know The Good News is offensive.
and
Caught up in the wrong agenda.
Then somehow becoming angry or offended
and
Writing it off as The Gospel.
In other
words.
Is
not supposed to be the one who walks away offended.
We
always walk away in the same way we arrived.
BLESSED and Highly favored!
This brings us to our next topic.
What do Agnostics believe?
Agnostics:
They hold to the notion
that human reasoning
is incapable of providing sufficient rational grounds
to justify either the belief that God exist
or the belief that God does not exist.
Of the divine or the supernatural
is unknown or unknowable.
Some may say if
they had proof of God
then they would obviously reconsider.
But, up until now no one has provided them with such evidence.
This is why we must always attempt to pray with or for them before we part ways.
Some may even
say they need proof beyond material phenomena
in regards to anything beyond existence.
Basically,
Agnostics are a tough crowd.
Mostly because they want and need an undeniable miracle
or undeniable scientific proof that God exist.
Because it is the Power of God unto Salvation
for all who believe.
I have seen many Agnostics receive Jesus Christ
as their Lord and Savior.
But, make no mistake,
it took a great amount of compelling.
Much time was spent sharing The Good News,
my personal testimony,
and
Explaining our image, value, purpose, and identity.
Basically your presenting The Word of God
to prove the existence of God and His creation.
Then
The Good News of Jesus Christ
to explain His purpose and why Jesus is The Only Way.
Then
compelling with your own personal experience and proof.
Which is your testimony.
If you believe
you don't have a strong testimony or miracle to share.
Then share the testimony's of Paul, Peter,
or even the testimony's of someone you personally know.
Your essentially
using your proof in place of there lack of proof.
Again, if you
haven't experienced any miracles.
Then share the miracles of those you personally know
and those found in The Word of God.
Hopefully, their
encounter with you
if nothing else will cause them to have an open mind and heart
to the possibility of the existence of God.
Because if they admit there's a God.
They know in there heart that He is a good and just God
and
They know there not good and just
and apart from Him we could never be perfect.
So, for many people it's easier to deny there's a God.
Instead of recognizing a Perfect, Just,
and
Holy Deity exist.
Let's have a look at Deism:
What should we know or expect when sharing The Good News with a Deist?
They
also believe God gave us the ability to reason.
They
generally reject The Word of God
and
They are skeptical of miracles, prophecies and the like.
In regards to this persons God or that persons God.
Especially when it comes to all the world's religions.
Deist don't
believe in religion.
But, they believe this God
doesn't directly interfere with the creation.
If this is the
case.
You could simply explain that you understand where their coming from
and share with them the differences
between man's religion and True Religion.
A great place to
start is James 1:27,
NLT, which says,
27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God The Father
means caring for orphans and widows in their distress
and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
Explain that True Religion
is love with pure motives and no agenda.
Have
them ask themselves.
Whatever they experienced. Did it represent God?
Did it look
and sound like God?
In other words. If someone said something to you.
Was it
something you could see Jesus saying to you?
Believe it or
not,
some Deist believe they are Christians
while rejecting The Holy Trinity and the claim of Jesus' divinity.
While others
believe Jesus was a great person or teacher.
They just don't believe He is The Way.
If this is the
case. Do your best to explain why He is The Way.
That it brings clarity to them about Jesus, humanity,
and
How we fit into the plan of God
by showing how no one else ever accomplished
What Jesus accomplished.
Then in addition
to this we can explain.
No matter how long we wait.
Even if we lived to be a thousand years old.
No one else will ever attain everything
that Jesus attained for mankind.
We should then explain
there's no other god who died and rose from the grave.
Jesus proved
He has the power to raise the dead.
Jesus proved
that He could give power to others to raise the dead.
Then He died and God raised Him from the dead.
Proving He has ultimate power over life and death.
The fact is
whether we like it or not.
Jesus is The One and Only Way.
God didn't want many ways.
And, the reason why He set it up this way,
is because He knew we would make up our own way or ways.
He knew we would
make up god's or a god to suit our needs and circumstances.
And, by doing this we wouldn't be held accountable
to a god who doesn't interact with or give us instructions for living a godly life.
The problem with
this way of thinking
is we are held accountable and God does interact with His children.
Including, giving us the instructions
for living a life of freedom found in His Eternal Word.
They believe in The God who created the universe.
They just don't know who He is yet
and
By representing Him well
We may have the great privilege of introducing them to Him.
Hopefully, these
examples have opened your eyes
to the many different ways people believe or don't believe
and how this type of information could help
in sharing The Good News with someone.
Sharing The Good News with a Buddhist:
Understanding a Buddhist meditates but, doesn't worship God,
a god, gods, or deity's when doing so
because they don't believe in a creator god is very important.
They
only believe in an endless cycle of past, present, and future.
You're talking with someone
who's attempting to break a cycle of life, death,
and
Rebirth in six different realms of reincarnation.
Two of which are heaven and hell.
By attempting to tap into
a lasting state of unconditional happiness
Know as enlightenment,
To escape an endless cycle of suffering,
May give you some insight
As to why they're so humble with you.
Then this type of information
should help you to understand the individual
Or
Individual's you're sharing with in greater detail.
and
That most Buddhist have strong values
and
Compassion because of their beliefs,
will help you to navigate forward.
Sharing The Good News with a Hindu:
It's important to know that Hinduism
is the world's third largest religion and growing.
They're similar in some ways to Buddhism.
Except Hindus believe in many gods.
Hinduism is very complex
and has four main types of yoga for human disciplines.
Many Hindus believe this number represents
the infinite forms of god- god is in everyone,
god is in everything.
Brahma the creator of the universe,
Vishnu the preserver of the universe,
and
Shiva the destroyer of the universe.
These gods along with millions of other deity's
are considered manifestations of the supreme god called Brahman.
As they continue to reincarnate
So eventually, they will achieve ultimate enlightenment.
At this point. You may be asking yourself.
How does this apply to me or where I live?
I can tell you from first hand experience. It does!
I can assure you.
There's many people, from many places,
with many different backgrounds
and
Cultural beliefs, living all around you.
And,
GOD wants ALL of them to know the TRUTH!
Now, just in case you're still not fully convinced.
I will share with you some testimony from my life.
In the
last couple of years alone.
God has personally blessed me with the privilege of meeting
and sharing The Good News with many people
who were from all walks of life and many different backgrounds and beliefs.
Mormon, Deist, Buddhist, Shaman, Jehovah's Witness,
Muslim, Atheist, Agnostic, Catholic,
Church of Christ, This Church That Church,
So many denominations I've lost track.
And,
They all have two things in common.
First, I
met everyone of them within 5 miles of my house.
And, Secondly, At least one person from every group mentioned above
received Jesus Christ as there Lord and Savior.
Listen, the first time you meet a Shaman or Muslim
and
Pray with them to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
You will Rejoice!
But, if you're paying
attention.
You'll also gain wisdom
and
Insight from each encounter.
The fact is, as you continue to share The Good News.
You may meet every ism there is. And that's OK.
Because
2 Timothy 1:7,
NKJV, says,
7 For God has not given us a Spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
You don't have to know what natural-ism,
material-ism, physical-ism, ideal-ism, plural-ism, dual-ism, monism,
or
Even pantheism is to share The Good News of Jesus Christ with someone.
Because you'll learn as you go.
Essentially,
part of this great adventure we call Christianity
is knowing as you go your relationship with Jesus Christ will naturally grow.
If
we gain anything from the previous pages of information read.
Let it be this.
Almost all of these different belief systems
or
Lack there of and people from different parts of the world
or
People influenced from different parts of the world
have one thing in common.
They
all follow some form of man's religion
or
Someone who received revelation
from there relationship with God
or
Lack of a relationship with God.
Then
they got hung up on some selfish motive
to prove someone else wrong and themselves right.
Most
certainly because they didn't personally know
the One who inspired the hand that wrote
1 Corinthians 13.
They
may have not seen the error in their ways.
Because they did not or do not understand
the simple Truth found in 1 Corinthians 13:5, NKJV, which says love,
5 does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil;
The
simple Truth is this:
Love
Does Not Seek It's Own!
Love
does not do or say something to get or hear a response.
Love just loves because it is love.
It is pure and without selfish motives, agendas, and conditions.
Love doesn't say I love you. To hear I love you back.
It just loves.
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