Discussion on Witnessing

[alon]

It is extremely important to remember throughout this process that all the power of heaven is at work. Give it time; don't rush any part of the process. Especially give them time to formulate their prayer as you give them guidelines. This may (probably) all be new to them, so gently and patiently guide them. But the prayer should be theirs.

Make sure the person understands that it is his placing his trust in and willingness to surrender his life to Yeshua that saves him. Also stress that it is an ongoing relationship that keeps him in YHVH's saving grace. He is making a covenant, a lifelong commitment of obedience to God. In particular to , although he doesn't have to take this all on at once.

Acts 15:20-21 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."

One of the first acts of obedience should be tevilah, or baptism by full body immersion.

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Note that Yeshua is saying to them that they should be baptized, and to you that your responsibility does not end when they accept Yeshua. You are to make talmidim , disciples of them! You need to help them become a member of your congregation. If that is not possible then help them find one. If there is no congregation nearby maybe start a study group. But whatever you do, don't just leave them to their own resources.

One possibility for Shabbat services is if you an find a Jewish synagogue that doesn't mind Messianics attending and go there with them. Be polite; as the Rabbi what they want you to do. They'll probably want you to wear a kippah, but not a tallit, for example. And you may need to keep your tzitziyot tucked in. But I'm sure they'll tell you what they expect.

I don't advise having them go to a Christian church for the simple reason they'll make it their mission to de-Judaize and convert the new believer. They may even convince him he wasn't saved because he was Messianic. Once that seed of doubt is planted he'll likely carry it for the rest of his life, regardless whether he is active in Christianity or Messianism.

Other problems with Christian churches is almost all or them meet on Sunday, they all teach against observance and their doctrines are largely based in pagan mythology. New believers need to be taught right, and they do not need to have you constantly correcting a pastor who is seen as an authority figure.

It would be better to hold an informal Shabbat service picking up a good live feed service like the one here. Then you could have oneg afterwards- a communal meal, like a potluck.

Any other ideas on how or where to get new believers or converts to Messianic Judaism involved in community?

Dan C

[alon]

I have a slight disagreement with Rav S. and thought I'd put it up here for discussion. I made a leather pocket which holds two pocket New Testaments. They are set up like I've discussed here. This keeps them convenient to carry together so that I am not without a copy of the same book they have while talking to them. Since we believe in the B'rit Chadasha as being scripture, I see nothing wrong with using just this as a convenient tool to witness to the lost.

Rav S says I am only giving them 1/4 of the Bible. He says if you are going t give them a Bible, then give them the whole thing. I you are going to give them part of the Bible, give . Most Christians think only the New Testament is important, or that it is most important. I see his point.

However marketing gurus say it most often takes 5-7 times being shown they need something before they will "buy," or in this case accept what you are offering. Since the New Testament method is most commonly used, there may be a benefit in the familiarity. If they say no, it is very inexpensive to leave that NT with them along with my number should they want to discuss it further. If they say yes, one of the things I'll try to do is meet with them at the Christian bookstore to select their first Bible. I could give them a cheap Bible, but I'd rather it be their choice and they get a decent Bible they'll use.

But I could get inexpensive Bibles and make a pocket to carry two in. It wouldn't be nearly as compact, but it could still work. I could also extend the "Plan" to encompass the entire Bible, drawing from , the prophets (Nevi'im) and the writings (Kethuvim) as well as the New Testament (B'rit Chadasha). Basically laid out the same, but using the entire Bible, this "Plan" might also have the advantage of presenting just different enough to get their attention so they "bite."

What are your thoughts on this?

Dan C

[alon]

I've been trying to look at this from Rav S point of view, as well as thinking how I could make the method work. Two full Bibles (even your basic $3.00 ones) are just too bulky to do this with.

From his point of view, in addition to starting out showing them the validity and importance of the entire Bible, it gets them started using it as well. And just using a "New Testament" might send the message it is most important instead of the "all one book" doctrine of Messianic Judaism.

Making it work is a little more difficult, but doable. Two New Testaments fit in my coat pocket better than one full Bible, so I'll have to carry it more. But then it is more visible, so this may be a plus. But the real solution is that instead of two Bibles, I'll use the one I'm going to give them and a small booklet I'll make up. The booklet will be the scriptures I'll have outlined, and other supporting documentation. This could take some time, and the booklet will probably undergo some revisions. But I think it will be worthwhile to do this. A "plan of salvation" using the entire Bible does have some merit.

Dan C

[Miykhael]

B”H
The Gospel of the Good News on How God plan to Redeem sinners is only found in the TaNaKh. Why the K’tuvei HaShalichim (the Apostolic Writings commonly known as the New Testament or B’rit Hadashah) were written? I believe they were written as we read in Yochanan, John 20:30-31 In the presence of the talmidim Yeshua performed many other miracles which have not been recorded in this book. But these which have been recorded are here so that you may trust that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of Hashem, and that by this trust you may have life because of who he is.

[alon]

Jan 21, 2015 14:20:58 GMT -8 Miykhael said:

B”H
The Gospel of the Good News on How God plan to Redeem sinners is only found in the TaNaKh. Why the K’tuvei HaShalichim (the Apostolic Writings commonly known as the New Testament or B’rit Hadashah) were written? I believe they were written as we read in Yochanan, John 20:30-31 In the presence of the talmidim Yeshua performed many other miracles which have not been recorded in this book. But these which have been recorded are here so that you may trust that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of Hashem, and that by this trust you may have life because of who he is.

Absolutely! I've said here before that salvation is the same today as it was in "Old Testament" times. God doesn't change.

The Kethuvai Shelachim (Apostolic Writings) are an affirmation of the TNK. They are in parts rabbinical treatises better explaining things said in the TNK. They also record a partial fulfillment of prophecy and expound on later prophetic events.

Dan C

Note: while the term "Kethuvai Shelachim" technically doesn't include the Gospels or Revelation; just as the term "" can refer to just the five books of Moses, or it can be applied to all scripture (particularly the Tenach/TNK), so can Kethuvai Shelachim mean the entire B'rit Chadasha. Spelling is a guess since Hebrew doesn't use vowels, although modern Hebrew does have vowel points.

Dan C