EVANGELISM OF THE JEWS

David Swaggerty, senior pastor of Charisma Life Ministries in Columbus, Ohio, was in Israel for a celebration. He was quoted as saying, "As a Christian who believes in the Great Commission, I feel that the call to spreading the Gospel does not apply to the Jewish people. Especially in light of centuries of Christian anti-Semitism, I am here to support Israel unconditionally and with no strings attached." https://www.christianpost.com/news/should-christians-in-israel-avoid-offensive-evangelism-of-jews.html

“Support Israel unconditionally?” Nonsense! The best way to support Israel unconditionally is to nudge them in the direction of their Messiah, whom they have rejected—the One who will ultimately protect them! Evangelism is not only the greatest expression of love, it is also the command of Jesus:

·       “and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)

Years later, Paul reiterated that the presentation of the Gospel should still begin with the Jews:

·       For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

As tribulation comes to the Jew first (Romans 2:9), so too must the Gospel! While Swaggerty correctly perceives their antagonism to the presentation of the Gospel, does he not seem to also perceive the antagonism of the Muslim, Buddhist, and atheist to the Gospel! Should we not then preach the Gospel to any who might hate the Gospel?

Swaggerty has stepped out onto a slippery slope that eventually leads to the silencing of the Christian voice, the light of the world. He is becoming a friend to the world (James 4:4), which he hopes will gladly receive his “message.”