Letters
Published December 18, 2003
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ISRAEL
‘Our Hebraic roots’
| I was saddened by the commentary written
by Jerry Rankin, "Obey God’s purpose, not
Israel’s example," in the Nov. 13 Witness. He
chose to use ancient Israel as an example of how NOT to
be in the area of spreading the Gospel. His point, that
Christian churches in America are not impacting society,
was well-stated WITHOUT making a connection to Israel Yes,
due to her repeated disobedience and ultimate rejection
of the Messiah, she has (as written in Is. 40:1) "received
of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins."
If the church is struggling in terms of God’s
blessings, perhaps it is because it has not, for the most
part, recognized God’s unfailing love for Israel and
the everlasting covenant He established with her, which
is repeated through the Tanakh. Isaiah begins by stating
we are to "comfort and speak tenderly to Jerusalem."
Rabbi Paul in Romans 9-11 pens many great truths. One
is that "blindness in part has come to Israel, (the
natural branches) so that Gentiles (the wild branches)
can be grafted in by faith to Jesus, our Jewish Messiah.
We are admonished not to boast against the natural
branches. We need to understand the Hebraic roots of our
faith.
It is my prayer for all the Bible-believing churches
in America to begin to educate the congregations, then to
reach out, support and pray for the salvation and peace
of Jerusalem.
Christ’s heart in John 10:15, is that there be
ONE fold and ONE shepherd.
In closing, let me commend you on two recent fine
articles: "Jewish evangelism completes the Great
Commission" and "Don’t Make the Jews the
Great Omission," Feb. 20.
|
Donna Young
Apopka |
LETTERS
Students seek pen pals
| I am writing this letter on behalf of
Chinese students who are taking English in their country
and who want American pen-pals. The National Fellowship
of Baptist Educators (NFBE) is seeking Christian young
people who will answer at least one letter from Chinese
students who have written letters "To an American
friend." After the first exchange of letters the
correspondence might be continued by e-mail or regular
mail. We will provide guidelines on ways that students
may share their faith and be a Christian influence in a
country where missionary work in restricted. This makes
a great project for a Sunday School class, Acteen or
Challenger group or any Christian youth organization.
Individual students may also participate.
To request letters or further information, contact Dr.
John Carter, Executive Director of NFBE, Samford
University Box 292305, Birmingham, AL 35229; phone 205-822-4106;
e-mail j-fcarter@juno.com.
Give name and address of the group leader to whom we may
send the letters, telephone number and an e-mail address
if available. In the letter give the number of letters
needed from students in grades 7-9 and the number from
grades 10-12. Give the name of the group that is
participating, and if an American teacher would like to
correspond with a Chinese teacher, let us know.
REQUESTS FOR LETTERS MUST REACH US BY JANUARY 15.
Letters will be sent during the two weeks following.
We’ll look forward to hearing from any person or
group who is interested.
|
John T. Carter
Birmingham, Ala. |
|
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