An answer for Isaac Horowitz - Hope this helps....

Submitted by John Reinders (Canada), Dec 3, 2002 at 17:33

Hi Isaac,

I would like to try and answer your question and hopefully alleviate the fears of some others who really do not understand what a true Christian is or should be. I agree with you whole-heartedly that the church does not have a good history when it comes to anti-Semitism, and its persecution of the Jewish people. We all need to remember that it has not just been the Christian church; mankind as a whole, has an awful lot to answer for.......

First let me say, I do not believe there are any true Christian churches, anywhere on the earth today. Most of the main stream churches today do not follow the teachings of the Bible. Most sermons in our churches today are of the feel good, offend no one, are politically correct, and pretty much follow their own or the left's agenda. This leaves a lot of scripture in the Bible that is never spoken of, or ever included in sermons. There are a lot of Churches that come close to teaching God's word as it is written, but these are mostly of the evangelical type.

The true church of Jesus Christ is referred to in the New Testament as the Body of Christ. Simply put, it is made up up of those born again believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as there personal Lord and Saviour. "John:3:16: 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." The message is powerful, plain and simple, and tells us that salvation is a personal committment between oneself and God. Church membership alone, can not save anyone.........

You mention in your comments that the New Testament teaches hatred towards Jews. I wish you had mentioned which verses, I admit I still have a lot to read and learn, but I have never run across any passages that teach hatred towards the Jews. This simply makes no sense to me - as the disciples, apostles and even the early Christian church were mostly Jewish. A true Bible believing Christian can not be anti-Semitic. The Bible makes it very clear that God's chosen people are Jewish (The Children of Israel).

The message from Christ to his Disciples and to all believers was to: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you". The whole message of the new testament is one of love, hope, forgiveness and salvation. The true believer (Christian) is a threat to no one on this earth, except maybe to those on the PC left who simply do not want to hear the truth. You see, being a Christian (a follower of Christ) requires change in one's life - it requires that you sin no more, that you love your neighbour as yourself, and includes following the 10 commandments - which of course is no longer politically correct.

The hatred, bigotry, terrorism and warfare we face in the world today is not just a war that is being fought on this physical plane. I truly believe that there is also a spiritual struggle going on which we can not see, between the forces of Heaven and forces of Hell itself. "1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"


I hope I've made a bit of sense here......

John

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