ISLAM vs; CHRISTIANITY - NYOBS 39.20

ISLAM vs; CHRISTIANITY

First Word

·         Islam means “Submission” to the will of Allah – A follower of Islam is called a Muslim – It was founded by Muhammad who was an Arabian Trader from Mecca born around 570 A.D. and died in 632 A.D.

·         While in Mecca, he lived like a priest with a life of prayer and his teachings allowed the co-existence of Jews and Christians with Muslims. 

·         He left Mecca and went to Medina in the year 622 proclaiming a revelation from God that he was the “last prophet” in a succession of prophets superseding that of Jesus Christ.

·         When he moved to Medina he became a military commander, personally leading 27 attacks and changed Islam into a POLITICAL MOVEMENT,

·         Muhammad believed in the ONE AND ONLY GOD ALLAH and that the worship of THREE; the Christians TRINITY GOD JEHOVAH was idolatry and blasphemy.

Prophets

·         The Prophet Muhammad taught “God is above us” – 

·         The Prophet Moses taught “God is above us and with us” –

·         The Prophet Jesus taught “God is above us, with us and in us”. – We think of Jesus as the Son of God, but not as a prophet; but He was. – He was a prophet, priest and King after the order of Melchizedek.

·         There certainly can be prophets today, but they will not present any new revelation only new enlightenment from what has already been written by God in the Holy Scripture.

·         It is interesting to me that Islam makes reference to Jesus Christ and the Bible writings often, but the Bible never mentions Islam nor Muhammad. – Maybe it’s because the PROPHET Muhammad (Mohammad) came along about 500 years later and read the Bible. –

·         God says there will be prophets to come along who will steal one another words saying that they are supposedly from ME and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send them or appoint them. – It’s in the book.

·         The scriptures present concepts and precepts that line up like fence posts all in a row. - If a prophet’s words do not line up with the other fence post in scripture, it should give you pause to ASK … WHY? – NYOBS 37.09 – PROPHETS

Jeremiah 23:30-32 – False Prophet steals testimony of others
³⁰ Therefore,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.
³¹Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.
³²Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” declares the LORD. “They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least,” declares the LORD. (NIV2011)

Isaiah 28:10 – Fence Post Precepts
¹⁰ For it is precept (post) upon precept (post), precept upon precept; line (post)  upon line (post), line upon line; here a little (post), there a little. (post)  (ASV)

Hebrews 1:1-2 – God reveals Himself through the Prophets
¹  God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, (ASV)
²  hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;

Matthew 21:11 – Jesus was a Prophet
¹¹ So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee." (NKJV)

John 1:18 – God the Son is our Prophet
¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (NIV2011)

Hebrews 5:6 – Jesus was a Priest and King
⁶ As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec (King of Salem). (KJV)

1 Corinthians 12:28 – God has appointed Prophets TODAY
²⁸ And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second PROPHETS, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. (NKJV)

Qur’an                                                                        

·         The Bible - Islam claims that the Christian Bible is corrupt and that the Qur’an; is the “final word” of God. (Quran, Koran)

·         The Qur’an; a series of divine messages was verbally revealed by God to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel gradually over a period of approximately 22 years beginning in 610 and is the only revealed book that has been protected by God from distortion or corruption.

·         It is divided into 114 Chapters called Suras. – Some passages are not fully understood without the aid of “the Hadith” which clarifies their intent.

Hadith

• The Hadith is a companion book to the Qur’an that shows how to put the guidance of the Qur’an into practice.  It’s a collection of sayings, deeds and behavior of Muhammad including; eating, sleeping, praying, mating, planning revenge on his enemies and dispensing justice. - These actions of Muhammad were not ordinary acts; but were considered the actions of “Allah”.  They were handed down through the generations verbally and then about 200 years after Muhammad’s death they were written down.
• If you believe in the holy Qur’an then you MUST uphold the Hadith of its prophet.
• A good Muslim will do ALL these same things as well as name their children Mohammad.  The Hadith in some sects is followed more closely than the Qur’an and its sayings can supersede the Qur’an.
• Note:  the term “jinn” appears in the writings and means a spirit being and can be either good or a bad spirit depending on the context it is written.

Sura 33:21 – Look to Muhammad as an example of living life

21 Verily in the messenger of Allah (Muhammad) ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.

Hadith 8:120 – The Hadith is the best guide to the Qur’an

120 Abdullah said, the best talk is Allah’s Book (Qur’an) and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad.

Doctrines and Pillars

·         DOCTRINES - There are five basic doctrines

1.     One God -There is ONE and only ONE God; Allah.

2.     Last Prophet - There has been a succession of prophets including Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and finally the Last Prophet Muhammad.

3.     Angels - God Created both Good and Evil Angels.

4.     The Qur’an - The Qur’an is God’s full and final revelation.

5.     Judgment Day - A final Day of Judgment is coming; followed by heaven for the faithful and Hell for the Lost.

·         PILLARS - There are five pillars of Islamic belief and practice:

·         Confession - To be a Muslim you only need to confess the “shahadah” – “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”.

·         Obligatory worship - You must pray the “salat”; usually five times a day which includes bowing, paying homage, worship, and prayer. - They recite "The Opening", the first Sura chapter of the Quran, as required in all daily worship; then the worshipper can then stand before God, thank and praise him, and to ask for guidance along the "Straight Path”.

·         Obligatory Fast – During the ninth lunar month; you must keep the annual fast called “sawm” in observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan; abstaining from eating and drinking (including water) during the daylight hours.

·         Alms – You must give alms  (sakat) to the needy, equal to one-fortieth of one’s income

·         Pilgrimage – Every able Muslim must make one pilgrimage during his lifetime to Mecca.

Allah - Absolute Unity

·         Islam has 99 names for Gad with the word Allah connected to it.   I will not list them here, but most speak of His Sovereignty while other speak of his majesty and absolute justice.

·         Allah is described with the attribute of absolute Unity; he cannot be divided – denying this is blasphemous

·         The Qur’an uses two words describing the ONENESS of God; “ahad”, denying that God has any companion or partner and “wahid” meaning; The One; the Same God for all. – God is the same God of all people; He is a unity and a singularity.

·         The distinguishing Characteristic of Islam is the declaration of “The Unity of Allah”.

·         The Greatest Sin is “shirk” is assigning partners to God. (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit) -This is the un-pardonable Sin. – You can see why a Muslim would hate a Christian.

·         NOTE: Some Muslims believe in Jihad or holy war, exalting it to the level of a “Pillar”.  Some Muslims think of a Jihad as a sacred “Struggle with the Word” other think of it as a “Struggle with the Sword”.

·         Absolute Ruler – Allah needs nothing from creation, but creation needs everything from Him. It is His will that brings everything into existence and nothing happens apart from His will. – His knowledge encompasses the whole universe which He created and which He alone sustains. – He is sovereign over all creation.

• Note:  The (Arabic) term Allah is a contraction of “Al” meaning sole or only, and “lah” meaning God.  Before the birth of Islam, Allah was a term used by pagan religions for their different gods.  This term provided a common ground between pagan Arabs, Muslims, Jews and Christians.
• Muslims insist that Allah is the same God as of the Jews; the God of Abraham.  The name Allah is deemed more powerful than the name YAHWEH. - Christians reject this.

·         The heart of Islam is not to know God, but to obey Him.  It is not to meditate on His essence, but to summit to His will.

Sura 112 – Allah has no begotten Son

112 He is God, The One and Only; God, the Eternal, Absolute; He BEGETTETH NOT, nor is he begotten; and there is none like unto Him

Sura 4:116 – Un-pardonable Sin join Allah with Father Son Spirit

116 God forgiveth NOT (the sin of) joining other gods with Him; but He forgiveth whom He pleaseth other sins than this; one who joins other gods with God, hath strayed far, far away (from the right).

Sura 2:255 – There is no God but Allah; the Self-Subsisting God

255 God – There is no god but He – The Living, the Self-subsisting, eternal.  No slumber can seize Him nor sleep.  His are all things in the heavens and on the earth.  Who is there that can intercede in His presence except as he permitteth?  He knoweth what (appears to his creatures as) before or after or behind then.  Nor shall they compass aught His knowledge except as He willith.  His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is Most High, The Supreme (in glory).

Common Beliefs

·         Islam and Christianity agree on a number of beliefs about God and His characteristics, but disagree on How God performs all of His attributes.

·         Common Beliefs

a)    One God; Sura 4:171 and Deut 6:4 –

b)    God is Sovereign; Sura 50:38 and Gen 1:1 –

c)    God’s “will” revealed through the prophets; Sura 16:36 and Matt 2:15 –

d)    God wants to forgive; Sura 2:218 and Deut 4:31 –

e)    All creation has the privilege and duty to worship God; Sura 1:4 and Psalms 66:4 –

f)    God will judge all men; Sura 1:3 and Ecc 12:14 –

g)    We can pray to God for our needs; Sura 2:153 and Phil 4:6.

·         Muslims, Jews and Christians all believe in; the creation, angels, heaven, hell and the resurrection of all people.

THE DIFFERENCES

The Faith

·         Comparison – Compare the different thoughts; A to A, etc.

·         Muhammad

a)    Fight against those that do not believe in Allah –

b)    Convert to Islam or die –

c)    If you walk away from the Islamic faith, you must die. –

d)    Mission is to conquer the world and mandate the political teachings of Islam as the only authority.

·         Jesus

a)    Blessed are the peacemakers –

b)    Believe in Christ and never die –

c)    Jesus accepted that some would walk away from the Christian Faith and reject it. -

d)    Mission is to conquer sin and its penalty of death, and bring the believer to God. -

Sura 9:29 – Fight against those who do not believe

29 Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believed not in Allah nor the Last Day

1 Peter 3:11 – Work and Search for peace
¹¹ Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to

Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  (NLT) (NIV2011)

Hadith 9:57 – Convert or die

57 I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say; None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property.

John 11:25-26 – Believe and never die
²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die   (NIV2011)

Hadith 9:57 – If you walk away from Islam – You must die

57 Whoever changed his Islamic Religion, then kill him.

John 6:63-66 – Jesus accepted some would walk away
⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
⁶⁵  He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
⁶⁶  From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (NIV2011)

Hadith 9:459 – Mission – Conquer the World

459 Allah guarantees anyone who engages in holy war (jihad) for the cause of jihad alone with belief in (Allah’s) words, that He will either admit him into paradise or return him with his reward or the booty he as earned to his residence from where he went out.

2 Corinthians 5:21 – Mission – Conquer SIN in the World
²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV2011)

1 Peter 3:18 – Mission – To bring us to God
¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (NIV2011)

Two Abodes

·         Islam divides the people on earth into Two abodes;

1.     The abode of Islam are those that have submitted to the will of Allah and

2.     The abode of War which are those who are still resisting Islam.

·         Those who die in the struggle against those that resist Islam are immediately translated into paradise.                                                                                                                                      

Attributes of God

·         Comparison – Compare the different thoughts; A to A, etc.

·         Muhammad

a)    Allah has no law of righteous, He does as He pleases, creating some for heaven and creating some for hell. – Allah suffers no loss or gain whether you live or die or believe or not.

b)    Allah’s Love is conditional depending on your good works. - God shows no affection and needs no affection to exist; He is totally self-sufficient; Complete

c)    Allah does not make covenants – He can and does change His mind.

·         Jesus

a)    God’ Law is righteous and just in His treatment of His creatures, mercy and truth go before His face.

b)    God un-conditionally loves all His creations so much He gave his one and only begotten Son for us. - God is Love.

c)    God is a covenant keeping God – He is not a God that changes His mind.

Sura 32:13 – Allah creates some people just for Hell fire.

13 I will fill hell with the jinn (evil spirits) and mankind together.

Psalm 7:11 – God is righteous and Just
¹¹ God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (NKJV)

Psalm 89:14 - Righteousness and justice are God’s foundation
¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

(NKJV)

Sura 19:96- If you do good works, you will receive love from Allah

96 Lo those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.

1 John 4:8 - God is love
⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NKJV)

John 3:16 - God loved so much that He gave His only Son
¹⁶  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

(NKJV)

Sura 16:101 – Allah makes No Covenant - can change his mind

101 And when we put a revelation in place of (another) revelation – and Allah knowest best what He revealeth.

Deuteronomy 7:9 – Keeps covenant - Thousand generations
⁹ Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

(NKJV)

James 1:16-17 – God does not change His mind
¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV)

Unity or Trinity

·         Islam - Allah is Unitary, he is complete without persons and does not have a son.

·         Christianity - God is Triune; that is, He is ONE GOD that is in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. – Consider the composition of H ²O; it can take on the form of Ice, Liquid or Steam – Ice is not liquid, nor steam, but they all three  are H ²O - NYOBS 09.02 – TRINITY

1)     The Father is God – But, the Father is not the Son, nor the Holy Spirit.

2)    The Son is God – But, the Son is not the Father, nor the Holy Spirit.

3)    The Holy Spirit is God – But, the Holy Spirit is not the Father, nor the Son.

• Color - There is a trinity in the three primary colors of Red, Green, and Blue: All the rest of the colors are a derivation from them.
• Pure White is made up of all colors – Darkness is the absence of all colors – God’s word contains all the colors. - The more we read God’s Word, the further from darkness we get and the closer to pure light we become.

1)     The Father is whom the revelation of light proceeds -

2)    The Son incarnates the revelation of light -

3)    The Holy Spirit applies the revelation of light to man. - NYOBS 20.19 – HOLY SPIRIT

·         The Holy Spirit mentioned in the Qur’an is the angel Gabriel, not the Holy Spirit of God.

·         Trinity - Many Muslims mistakenly believe the Christian Trinity is made up of God, Jesus and Mary.

·         Assigning partners to God; (God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit) blasphemes ALLAH and is The Un-pardonable Sin – You can see why a Muslim would hate a Christian.  

Sura 4:171- Allah is NOT THREE – He does not have a son

171 So believe in Allah and His messengers and say NOT THREE – Cease! (It is) better for you!  Allah is one God.  For is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son.

Deuteronomy 6:4 - Our God, the LORD is ONE
⁴ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! (NKJV)

Sura 5:116 – Trinity is God, Jesus and Mary

116 And when Allah saith; O JESUS, SON OF MARY!  Didst thou say unto mankind: Take ME and my MOTHER for TWO GODS besides Allah?  He saith; Be glorified!   It was not mine to utter that to which I no right.

Matthew 28:19 – Trinity is God, Jesus and Holy Spirit
¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NLT)

1 John 5:19-20 – Jesus is Second in the God head
¹⁹ We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.
²⁰ And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (ASV)

Sura 16:102 – The holy spirit is Gabriel who reveals to men

102 Say: the holy spirit (Gabriel) hath revealed it from the Lord.

Acts 5:3-4 – The Holy Spirit is God
³ Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
⁴ While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men, but unto God. (ASV)

Sura 42:11 – Allah is NOT a person or a spirit

11 Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer

John 4:24 – God is a Spirit
²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (ASV)

HOLY SPIRIT

·         Comparison – Compare the different thoughts; A to A, etc.

·         Islam

a)    The holy spirit is the Angel Gabriel.

b)    The holy spirit is the breath of Allah and comes to create.

c)    Allah wrote the Torah with his own hand

d)    The Comforter (Paraclete) who comes after Jesus is Muhammad.

·         Christianity

a)    The Holy Spirit is the 3^rd person of the Trinity; There is only One God, but in three persons.

b)    The Holy Spirit comes to convict and draw men to God – The Holy Spirit does not create.

c)    Men wrote the Torah as they were carried along by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

d)    The Comforter (Paraclete) who comes after Jesus is The Holy Spirit

·         The Holy Spirit is like unto HOT WATER which causes an egg to get HARD; and wax to get SOFT, but it was the same hot water acting on both; it’s what’s on the inside that makes the difference …

·         Rain falls on both the Just and the Un-Just alike; God made them both; their decisions make the difference. – The Same Rain falls on both spirits. - LIFE IS CHOICE DRIVEN.

Sura 2:253 – The holy spirit is Gabriel

253 We gave Jesus… clear proofs (of Allah’s sovereignty) and we supported him with the holy spirit (Gabriel)

Acts 5:3-4 – The Holy Spirit is God in the 3^rd person
³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.
⁴ The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away.

How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” (NLT)

Sura 15:29 – The holy spirit is the creative breath of God

29 So, when I have made him (Adam) and have breathed unto him of my Spirit.

John 16:8 – The Holy Spirit is the convictor of sin

⁸ And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

(NKJV)

John 16:7 – The Holy Spirit is from God
⁷ But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. (NLT)

Hadith 8:611 – Allah wrote the Torah with his own hand

611 Adam said to… Moses, Allah favored you with His talk and He (Allah) wrote (the Torah) for you with his own hand.

2 Peter 1:21 – Holy Spirit wrote the Torah through men
²¹  For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (NIV2011)

Sura 61:6- Muhammad is the comforter

6 And when Jesus son of Mary said; O children of Israel! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah unto you, and bring good tidings of a messenger who cometh after me whose name is the Praised one (Muhammad).

John 14:25-26 - The Holy Spirit is the Comforter.
²⁵ These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you.
²⁶ But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. (ASV)

Islam on Jesus

·         Islam embraces and believes in the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, His sinlessness, miracles, prophet-hood, Messiahship, physical ascension into heaven, and His second coming.

·         The Angel Gabriel performed the Miracle of the Virgin birth with Mary, not the Holy Spirit.

·         Jesus spoke from the cradle and said He Himself was only a Prophet of Allah.

·         Jesus was righteous; sinless and performed miracles of healing and raised the dead.

·         At the Death of Jesus, Allah will send the Prophet Muhammad – Not the Holy Spirit.

·         Jesus said He is not worthy to intercede to God for us; we should go to Muhammad.

·         Jesus did not actually die on the cross by crucifixion, but it was made to look like it.

·         When Jesus did die, he was taken up to be with Allah as Enoch and Elijah before him was.

·         Jesus will return and punish the Jews and Christians for not accepting Muhammad.

·         Jesus will judge by the Law of the Qur’an, not by the Law of the Gospel.

·         Islam denies that Jesus was the Son of God; that He died on the cross for our sins and three days later rose physically from the grave; which is the heart of the Christian Message.

·         I DON’T GET IT. Why does Islam devote so much space in the “Qur’an” and in the “Hadith” to discussing Jesus and so little space to Muhammad? – Why mention Jesus at all? –

·         All it does is VALIDATE that Jesus actually existed; was born of a virgin named Mary, was a prophet, was sinless, performed miracles, raised the dead, interceded for men, was translated to heaven; and will return with judgment. He was even considered by some to be the Son of God and a part of the Christian Trinity – I don’t get this unless the whole purpose is a SMOKE SCREEN to validate and legitimize Muhammad as the last prophet.

·         As I study the Qur’an and the Hadith, it reminds me of the elections that are going on right now as the candidates throw mud at the ones who are in power so that they can take their place.  They assassinate their character when they can’t find anything wrong with what they have done. -  It seems to me Muhammad is running for the Office of PROPHET.

VIRGIN BIRTH

Sura 3:42 – Allah sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary.

42 O Mary! Lo! Allah had chosen thee…. She said; My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me.

Sura 3:47 - Gabriel performed the miracle with the Virgin Mary

47… When the angel Gabriel blew up her garment.  (The virgin conceived)

Luke 1:26-27 – God sent the Angel Gabriel to Mary
²⁶ God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

(NIV2011)

Luke 1:35 – Gabriel said - Holy Spirit would come upon her
³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

(NIV2011)

SON OF GOD

Sura 19:29-30 – Jesus said He was Prophet of Allah, not Son of God

29 How can we talk to the one who is in the cradle, a young boy?   He spake; Lo! I am the slave of Allah.  He had given me the Scriptures and hath appointed me a Prophet.

Matthew 26:63-64 – Jesus said He was the Son of God
⁶³ But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
⁶⁴ You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (NIV2011)

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Sura 6:86 – Jesus was righteous

86 John (the Baptist) and Jesus and Elias (Elijah).  Each one (of them) was of the righteous

1 Peter 2:21-22 – Jesus was righteous
²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
²² He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” (NIV2011)

MIRACLES

Sura 5:110 – Jesus performed miracles of healing – Raise the dead

110 When Allah saith; O Jesus… thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird… heal him who was born blind and the leper… raised the dead, by my (Allah) permission. (NOTE: Jesus as a child, making LIVE pigeons out of clay is in the Apocrypha, but it’s NOT in the Bible.)

Mark 2:10-12 - Jesus - Miracles of Healing; Forgave sins
¹⁰ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the AUTHORITY on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said,
¹¹ Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
¹² And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” (NLT)

THE ONE TO COME

Sura 61:6 – Muhammad will come after me.

6 Jesus son of Mary said.. I am the messenger of Allah… bringing good tiding of a messenger who cometh after me, whose name is the Praised One Ahmad. (Muhammad)

John 14:16 Another Counselor will come after me
¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—(NIV2011)

John 14:26 – The Counselor will be the Holy Spirit
²⁶  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV2011)

INTERCESSION

Hadith 8:570 – Jesus is not worthy to intercede; go to Muhammad

570 Let us request someone to intercede for us with our Lord… They will go to him (Jesus), and he will say, I am not fit for this undertaking go to Muhammad.

Hebrews 7:24-25 – Jesus intercedes for us forever
²⁴ But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
²⁵ Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (NKJV)

DEATH OF JESUS

Sura 54:157 – Jesus was not killed nor did He die on the cross

157 They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them.

Isaiah 53:6 - God laid on Jesus the sins of all of us
⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

(NKJV)

Acts 17:3 – Jesus suffered and rose from the dead
³ Explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." (NKJV)

RESURRECTION

Sura 4:158 – Allah took Jesus to Himself like Enoch and Elijah

158 But Allah took him (Jesus) unto Himself.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Jesus died and rose the 3^rd day
³  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
⁴  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, (NKJV)

THE RETURN

Hadith 3:425 – Jesus will return and punish the Jews.

425 By Him in whose hands my soul is, son of Mary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you people (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and Kill the pig.

Revelation 1:5-7 – Jesus will Return and Rule
⁵ Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
⁷ Behold, He is coming with clouds (the saved), and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. (NKJV)

JUDGMENT

Hadith 4:658- Jesus will judge by the Law of the Qur’an

658 Allah’s Apostle said, how will you be when the son of Mary (Jesus) descends amongst you and he will judge people by the Law of the Qur’an and not by the Law of the Gospel?

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 - Jesus will judge by the Gospel
⁶ since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,
⁷ … Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
⁸ in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

BORN A MUSLIM

• A few years ago in my Bible Study group, Majid my Muslim friend asked that one meeting be set aside and devoted to how we came to accept the Christian Faith.  - Obviously this meant a lot to him. - I couldn’t even remember when I wasn’t a Christian; I just always was.
• Majid gave his testimony about how he came to embrace the Christian Faith and he made this STUNNING statement that took me back; “YOU ARE BORN INTO A RELIGION”.
• I leaned forward in my chair, the room became silent.  Majid shared that he had been a devout Muslim all of his life, studied the Qur’an and prayed five times a day,  and held to the Five Pillars of Islam, but still had a yearning in his heart for God. – WHY WAS THAT?
• The Five Pillars of Islam are five basic acts considered mandatory by believers and are the foundation of Muslim life. They are summarized in the famous Hadith. They make up Muslim life, prayer, concern for the needy, self-purification and the pilgrimage to Mecca. They are:

1. Shahadah: declaring there is no god except God, and Muhammad is God's Messenger
2. Salat: ritual prayer five times a day
3. Sawm: fasting and self-control during the blessed month of Ramadan
4. Zakat: giving 2.5% of one’s income to the poor and needy
5. Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if he/she is able to do so.

• MUSLIMS worship the God of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar; a slave woman.
• CHRISTIANS worship the God of Isaac the son of Abraham and Sarah his wife – Both claim the Covenant Promise of God - Majid thought; “BOTH CAN’T BE TRUE”.
• Majid bought a Bible and studied in SECRET to see what Christianity was all about.
• What Majid found was far different than that of the Qur’an and he went back and forth trying to grasp the simplicity of Christianity and its teaching to love your enemies.
• At some point Majid came to believe that the Bible held the MOST TRUTH and knowing the cost, he gave his heart to Jesus Christ.  For the Muslim to convert to Christianity was considered blasphemy and he was worse than an INFINDEL and the penalty was DEATH.
• Majid made a PUBLIC PROFESSION of his faith and took a Christian wife.  - His family disowned him and he received death threats.  What he had to give up to become a Christian made me sit back in my chair STUNNED; I gave up nothing; obviously this was a BIG DEAL.
• Think about the family you were born into – If your family believes in a god, you would believe in the same god as that they did.
• I don’t have a testimony of redemption.  I was born into a Christian family and knew I wanted Christ at the age of Nine and a half although I didn’t fully understand the Virgin Birth of Jesus; His death and resurrection or even how His dying on the cross could take away my sins; BUT I believed it did.
• I would be 35 before I put it all together.  I was born DEAD IN MY SINS and God put the Holy Spirit in me and opened my heart TO DESIRE HIM.
• It was GOD that PUT THE DESIRE in Majid’s heart; and he accepted knowing the cost could be his very own life. – What an INCREDABLE DESIRE for God – It cost Majid everything.
• The Qur’an teaches to KILL the infidel and all unbelievers of Allah - NYOBS 14:22 Muslim Messiah
• The Bible teaches to love God and love your enemies. NYOBS 22.02 Armageddon  Ishmael & Isaac

Hadith 9:57 – Kill the infidel

57 Whoever changes his Islamic religion should be killed.

Sura 9:5 – Slay the idolaters wherever you find them.

5 When the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, seize them; lie in wait for them.

Matt 22:37-40 – Only TWO Commandments

37 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the FIRST and greatest commandment

39 And the SECOND is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' 

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments

Luke 6:27 – Love your enemies

27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, NIV

URGENT

·         Today in America, we have five to six million Muslims who are living in local neighborhoods, attending schools and are active in the workplace, in our culture and politics.

·         They were born into a Muslim family and are truly dedicated to Allah. –

·         We should pray for Muslims to have a REAL OPPORTUNITY to learn the TRUTH about Jesus Christ who is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

·         No one comes to God except through Jesus Christ. –       There is just NO OTHER WAY.

·         If you are a Muslim and still have a yearning in your heart; seeking more of God, I urge you to read; Case for Christianity NYOBS 29.02 – www.paulgorman.blogspot,.com

John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life
⁶ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(NKJV)

Acts 4:11-12 – There is NO OTHER WAY
¹¹  Jesus is 'the stone you masons threw out, which is now the cornerstone
¹²  Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one." (MSG)

In the multitude of counselors,

 there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

American Standard Version Bible – ASV

Illustrated Bible Dictionary – Nelson’s

Islam; Christian Apologetics – Dr. Norman Geisler

Islam and the Bible – David Goldmann

Islam 6^th Edition – Caesar E. Farah

New International Version Bible – NIV

New King James Version Bible - NKJV

Present Day Evangelism – Arthur W. Pink

Ten Commandments – John Hagee

The Last Days - Moris Farhi

Wikipedia