Page 151 - Bible Geography and Near East Studies

 Include one's own personal witness of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
o Quote from the Bible.
 Remember that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."1
 Be sure to show a high level of respect for your Bible. Make sure not have a Bible
that contains handwriting or written notes. This may indicate to Muslims that you
don't respect God's Word.
o Be prepared to have much patience and perseverance in discussing the truths of the Bible
with Muslims.
o Define your terms.
 Muslims often refer to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, prayer, angels, and other terms
common to the Bible, but they attach entirely different meanings to these words.
 Unless you define your terms biblically so that the other person can understand,
very little communication will take place.
o Qualify what it means to be a Christian.
 As stated before, Muslims tend to equate Christianity with an immoral Western
culture and lifestyle.
 When asked, "Are you a Christian?", it's important to qualify one's answer, or the
Muslim may consider you a person of low morals.
 Point out that the West has succumbed to so many vices, not because the West is
"Christian" but because the West has largely ignored Christianity.
• Christians can also point out that such vices illustrate one of the primary
teachings of Christianity—that is, that humankind is engulfed in a serious
sin problem.
o Emphasize the love of God.
 Point out that God is not just characterized by love; He's the very personification of
love.
 Make it clear that God's love is not conditional. He is not angry with them but is full
of love for them.
 Be aware that Allah is distant and transcendent, who can arbitrarily show love and
mercy to some and cruelty to others.
 Use verses to illustrate that God loves us while we are sinners and that true love is
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characterized by Jesus' sacrifice for us.3
o Emphasize the grace of God.
 Point out that we aren't saved by our own works or deeds, but only through God's
grace through faith.4
o Gently correct Qur'anic misinterpretations about Jesus.
 Point out that Jesus' signs signified that he is the promised divine Messiah.
• Isaiah 11 and 35 list specific signs that the Messiah would perform, and
Jesus fulfilled those prophecies.
 Point out that the Bible also refers to Jesus as the "Word of God." Explain what that
means according to John's Gospel, where Jesus the Word is portrayed as God.
 Point out that Jesus was sinless and came to solve mankind's sin dilemma.5
 Emphasize that Jesus' death on the cross was not a defeat, but rather a great
victory!
• Jesus submitted to the cross.
• Sin and death were defeated after which Christ was resurrected.
• He is the only Way, the Truth, and the Life...the only way to salvation.6
• Salvation is found in no other name.7

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