WELCOME ADDRESS
We have the commission as believers to preach the good news to all human be- ings starting from Jerusalem to the outermost parts of the world – this means from our country, hometowns, local churches, residence and campuses to the outermost part of the world.
This year’s conference which is the first of its kind has gathered together about 300 participants from most of the PENSA institutions in the Central Sector. Those of us who were once Muslims and have been converted into faith in Christ and those who have passion to evangelize to our Muslim brothers have been brought from all the tertiary institutions in Central Sector and again, many patrons in some of the secondary schools are also present.
We have come to equip ourselves with tools that will help us effectively evangelize and disciple people of other faith, especially our Muslim friends. Again, we would be helped to identify effective ways of communicating the gospel to our Muslim brothers and people of other faith as simple as possible but with power and compassion.
We are blessed with seasoned speakers who have prayerfully sought the face of the Lord to take us through talks and also lead us to pray for our brothers and sisters in other faiths who have not yet come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and master Jesus Christ. As scripture says,
“As he saw the crowds, his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were worried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.’” Matthew 9: 36-38 (GNB)
The people of other faith are more than twice the number of Christians in
the world. It is estimated that about 70% of the world’s people have not
come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This affirms what
Christ said, that though the harvest is plenty or large there are only few
workers who are faithful, committed and passionate to work in the field.
This conference is a call on the Lord of harvest, through learning and prayer, so He will touch the hearts of many especially students, to go all out to spread the good news about Christ to all men, that is those who have not yet come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
On this note, I welcome you to the first “Missions to Muslims” conference organized in Cape Coast by PENSA Central Sector, at the Church of Pentecost Aboom Central. God bless you.
“Missions to Muslims conference” is a conference that seeks to bring together Christians who were once converts of Islam and have now come to the saving knowledge of Christ and others who have passion for Islamic evangelism. The purpose of this great gathering is to learn about new ways of understanding Muslims and people of other faith so we could reach them with the gospel of Christ Jesus. Again, it is a forum where prayer would be said to ask the Lord of the harvest to bring in more workers into the field of evangelism and discipleship.
This year’s conference is under the theme: “No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 (NIV).
This exclusive claim made by Christ and which has been the message of the Church since its inception has offended many Jews, Muslims, Hindus and people of other faiths including some sects within the Christian fold. Could Jesus be the only way? What about the many people who believe in other messiahs apart from Christ? Could it be that Christ is just one of the many ways? This and many other questions have been asked over and over again many years down the century.
Exclusive Claim by Christ
As earlier indicated, many people who do not share faith in Christ are worried when we make the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only means of salvation, making Him a person who should be accepted by all people in all cultures and in all generations without whom human beings are completely lost. Others have even argued that much as Christians can claim Christ is the way it must be stated in a way that will not offend people of other faith. They believe the gospel must be presented in a way that will make it acceptable and less offensive to all people irrespective of their religious affiliations.
This conference is a call on the Lord of harvest, through learning and prayer, so He will touch the hearts of many especially students, to go all out to spread the good news about Christ to all men, that is those who have not yet come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
On this note, I welcome you to the first “Missions to Muslims” conference organized in Cape Coast by PENSA Central Sector, at the Church of Pentecost Aboom Central. God bless you.
MISSIONS TO MUSLIMS
Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (Rev)
PENSA Travelling Secretary, C/R
“Missions to Muslims conference” is a conference that seeks to bring together Christians who were once converts of Islam and have now come to the saving knowledge of Christ and others who have passion for Islamic evangelism. The purpose of this great gathering is to learn about new ways of understanding Muslims and people of other faith so we could reach them with the gospel of Christ Jesus. Again, it is a forum where prayer would be said to ask the Lord of the harvest to bring in more workers into the field of evangelism and discipleship.
This year’s conference is under the theme: “No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 (NIV).
This exclusive claim made by Christ and which has been the message of the Church since its inception has offended many Jews, Muslims, Hindus and people of other faiths including some sects within the Christian fold. Could Jesus be the only way? What about the many people who believe in other messiahs apart from Christ? Could it be that Christ is just one of the many ways? This and many other questions have been asked over and over again many years down the century.
Exclusive Claim by Christ
As earlier indicated, many people who do not share faith in Christ are worried when we make the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only means of salvation, making Him a person who should be accepted by all people in all cultures and in all generations without whom human beings are completely lost. Others have even argued that much as Christians can claim Christ is the way it must be stated in a way that will not offend people of other faith. They believe the gospel must be presented in a way that will make it acceptable and less offensive to all people irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Again, some expect Christians to accept, accommodate, celebrate and if pos-
sible participate in the faith of others whilst they maintain their identity with
Christ. In a nut shell the gospel must not hurt or offend other faith and must
be open to all.
S.J. Samartha has said,
Although most Christians today are unwilling to take a totally negative attitude to- ward neighbours of other faith, there seems to be a good deal of hesitation on the part of many to re-examine the basis of their exclusive claims on behalf of Christ. The place of Christ in a multireligious society becomes, therefore, an important issue in the search for a new theology of religions
Here Sarmatha is speaking the mind of many Muslims and people of other faith who think that the assertion by Christians that Jesus is the only means of salvation needs re-examination. They believe if such claims have been made in the past there would be the need to re-look at that conviction and if possible re-state it to make it more acceptable to those of other faith. How- ever, the nature of society whether cosmopolitan, technological, advanced, underdeveloped or multireligious does not and cannot change who Christ is or what He stands for. He is the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father - that is no one obtains salvation - except through Him. This is the soul of the Church and this has been the reason for which the Church was birthed, persecuted and on which she will thrive to the end of the age. In fact if Christians should shift from this stand to the left or right even by the smallest margin then it is no more Christianity but something else.
Many theologians and philosophers of religion have written a lot against such exclusive claims, especially when it offends the faith of others. Howev- er, much as Christians make exclusive claim about Christ, people of other faiths- Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist and others all have claims that are exclu- sive and peculiar to their faith.
I will propose that, Christians engage and learn from people of other faith. We should not look down on them and think they have nothing to offer the world. There is the need to learn about them so that we understand properly what they say and engage them with fairness.
S.J. Samartha has said,
Although most Christians today are unwilling to take a totally negative attitude to- ward neighbours of other faith, there seems to be a good deal of hesitation on the part of many to re-examine the basis of their exclusive claims on behalf of Christ. The place of Christ in a multireligious society becomes, therefore, an important issue in the search for a new theology of religions
Here Sarmatha is speaking the mind of many Muslims and people of other faith who think that the assertion by Christians that Jesus is the only means of salvation needs re-examination. They believe if such claims have been made in the past there would be the need to re-look at that conviction and if possible re-state it to make it more acceptable to those of other faith. How- ever, the nature of society whether cosmopolitan, technological, advanced, underdeveloped or multireligious does not and cannot change who Christ is or what He stands for. He is the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father - that is no one obtains salvation - except through Him. This is the soul of the Church and this has been the reason for which the Church was birthed, persecuted and on which she will thrive to the end of the age. In fact if Christians should shift from this stand to the left or right even by the smallest margin then it is no more Christianity but something else.
Many theologians and philosophers of religion have written a lot against such exclusive claims, especially when it offends the faith of others. Howev- er, much as Christians make exclusive claim about Christ, people of other faiths- Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist and others all have claims that are exclu- sive and peculiar to their faith.
I will propose that, Christians engage and learn from people of other faith. We should not look down on them and think they have nothing to offer the world. There is the need to learn about them so that we understand properly what they say and engage them with fairness.
Nevertheless, we must do that with the hope of bringing them to the saving
knowledge of Christ. “Jesus is the only way to the Father”, should be our con-
viction all the days of our lives. Nevertheless, we must respect and engage
with others and if possible incarnate into their culture with the view and hope
that by using all approaches we would win some if not most for Christ.
Jesus in giving out what has come to mean the Great Commission said,
"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peo- ples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."Matthew 28: 18-20 (GNB)
Here, Jesus makes the claim that all authority in the whole universe has been given him, this I will call exclusive authority over all things. All things here means all that exist today including those that would be invented in the future including all human beings and their possessions. Though many philosophers will raise many questions and most especially wonder how this could be possi- ble in a world of many problems, it does not negate the fact that Christ made that assertion and this is what Christians have believed and that defines their identity and resilience.
Again, Jesus instructed his disciples and all other believers to go and make “all peoples everywhere” his disciples – from all continents, cultures, backgrounds and many more. Christians are to teach and help them observe all that Christ has taught including His exclusive claim that “no one comes to the Father ex- cept through Him” (Christ).
Also, the exclusive claim made by Christ himself was restated in many other forms but with the same conviction and certainty by the disciples and others who followed including the early Church Fathers. Peter and John for instance said in Acts 4: 11-12 (MKJV)
“This is the Stone which you builders have counted worthless, and He has be-
come the Head of the Corner. And there is salvation in no other One; for there
is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be
saved.”Jesus in giving out what has come to mean the Great Commission said,
"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peo- ples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age."Matthew 28: 18-20 (GNB)
Here, Jesus makes the claim that all authority in the whole universe has been given him, this I will call exclusive authority over all things. All things here means all that exist today including those that would be invented in the future including all human beings and their possessions. Though many philosophers will raise many questions and most especially wonder how this could be possi- ble in a world of many problems, it does not negate the fact that Christ made that assertion and this is what Christians have believed and that defines their identity and resilience.
Again, Jesus instructed his disciples and all other believers to go and make “all peoples everywhere” his disciples – from all continents, cultures, backgrounds and many more. Christians are to teach and help them observe all that Christ has taught including His exclusive claim that “no one comes to the Father ex- cept through Him” (Christ).
Also, the exclusive claim made by Christ himself was restated in many other forms but with the same conviction and certainty by the disciples and others who followed including the early Church Fathers. Peter and John for instance said in Acts 4: 11-12 (MKJV)
Here Peter and John pointed out to the then elite class who were question-
ing their boldness and conviction that, Christ has not been accepted by the
intelligentsia, however, He has become the most important personality
without which life is not complete. They again added that, salvation can-
not be obtained in any other person or god except Christ. This is the Chris-
tian identity, culture, philosophy, worldview, guiding principle and reason
for existence. Anything short of this is not Christianity and cannot be
Christianity. The Church is defined by Christ exclusiveness and anything
short of that would be something else but not Christianity.
Over the centuries many have persecuted the Church because of this ex- clusive claim and the Church is still going through verbal, intellectual and sometimes physical persecution because of her exclusive claim that Christ is the only way. However, it is sad to realize that, the Church when it be- came a state religion in the Roman Empire did not completely tolerate people of other faith and even went as far as terminating the lives of those who did not share the ideals of the Church. Many have attributed such ex- cesses by the Church to the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only saviour. Much as I condemn such extremes in the past and will never call for any in the future, the fact still remains that, salvation can only be found in Christ. I call on Christians to understand that, the gospel is an engagement of the truth about Christ with the cultures and worldviews of people which does not make any room for any form of violence against those who do not accept our message.
There is always the tendency to feel hurt and even humiliated when people
do not respect your views or think less of what you are so much convinced
of. However, this does not call for the drawing of swords, hurling insults
or destroying lives. The response of Christ to the behaviour of a disciple
when Christ was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane should teach us a
lesson.Over the centuries many have persecuted the Church because of this ex- clusive claim and the Church is still going through verbal, intellectual and sometimes physical persecution because of her exclusive claim that Christ is the only way. However, it is sad to realize that, the Church when it be- came a state religion in the Roman Empire did not completely tolerate people of other faith and even went as far as terminating the lives of those who did not share the ideals of the Church. Many have attributed such ex- cesses by the Church to the exclusive claim that Jesus is the only saviour. Much as I condemn such extremes in the past and will never call for any in the future, the fact still remains that, salvation can only be found in Christ. I call on Christians to understand that, the gospel is an engagement of the truth about Christ with the cultures and worldviews of people which does not make any room for any form of violence against those who do not accept our message.
Jesus answered,Be quick about it,friend!"Then they came up,arrestedJesus,
and held him tight. One of those who were with Jesus drew his sword and
struck at the HighPriest's slave,cutting off his ear.Put yours wordbackinits
place,"Jesussaidtohim.A"llwhotaketheswordwilldiebythesword.Don't
you know that I could call on my Father for help, and at once he would send
me more than twelve armies of angels? But in that case, how could the Scrip-
tures come true which say that this is what must happen?"Matthew 26:50-54
(GNB)
Jesus is the Messiah and the only means of salvation, but he does not impose himself or conquer with arms to rule in the lives of people. We have the option to believe or reject Him, His command is simple, He said to them,
“Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be con- demned”. Mark 16:15-16 (GNB).
The gospel is the only message that saves and it is a gospel for all people at all times. However, it is a gospel of Christ not us, it is a gospel for the people in their culture and setting and the gospel must be made relevant to them but not under compulsion. It is free gift of salvation which comes by choice.
Reaching out to people of other faith
We have the truth, we have the light and the hope to the world but we need to present the truth in a way that our hearers will understand and come to appreciate what we have. There is no need engaging in arguments and condemning people of other faith because we have found the Way.
I believe we have not been able to bring our Muslim brothers to faith in Christ because we have been aggressive sometimes and condemned them without re- ally understanding what it means to be a Muslim. Patience and a better under- standing of the Muslim and the Quran would help the Christian understand that, the Muslim to an extent has fair knowledge of the Bible and believes in it to a certain degree. We can properly engage our Muslim brothers when we have a good knowledge of what they believe and how what they believe relate to scripture and develop proper skill in engaging them without condemning or looking down on them.
Jesus is the Messiah and the only means of salvation, but he does not impose himself or conquer with arms to rule in the lives of people. We have the option to believe or reject Him, His command is simple, He said to them,
“Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be con- demned”. Mark 16:15-16 (GNB).
The gospel is the only message that saves and it is a gospel for all people at all times. However, it is a gospel of Christ not us, it is a gospel for the people in their culture and setting and the gospel must be made relevant to them but not under compulsion. It is free gift of salvation which comes by choice.
Reaching out to people of other faith
We have the truth, we have the light and the hope to the world but we need to present the truth in a way that our hearers will understand and come to appreciate what we have. There is no need engaging in arguments and condemning people of other faith because we have found the Way.
I believe we have not been able to bring our Muslim brothers to faith in Christ because we have been aggressive sometimes and condemned them without re- ally understanding what it means to be a Muslim. Patience and a better under- standing of the Muslim and the Quran would help the Christian understand that, the Muslim to an extent has fair knowledge of the Bible and believes in it to a certain degree. We can properly engage our Muslim brothers when we have a good knowledge of what they believe and how what they believe relate to scripture and develop proper skill in engaging them without condemning or looking down on them.
Again, there are many people of other faith we need to engage and
share the gospel with apart from our Muslim brothers. Proper engagement with such people will call for proper understanding of
ourselves as Christians and the faith we share and a good
knowledge of all these people we intend to witness to. Again, we
need to appreciate that the gospel is shared but not forced down the
throat of people. It is an engagement of Christ with the culture,
worldview, ideas and concepts of people.
Let us learn about people of other faith and understand why they believe what they believe. Let us also learn about Christ and properly understand mission as He does and then with the same passion of Christ for the lost lead people of other faith to the sav- ing knowledge of Christ.
Emmanuel Agyei Kwafo (Rev)
PENSA Travelling Secretary
Central Sector Let us learn about people of other faith and understand why they believe what they believe. Let us also learn about Christ and properly understand mission as He does and then with the same passion of Christ for the lost lead people of other faith to the sav- ing knowledge of Christ.
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