Posted on 09/22/2005 7:25:57 AM PDT by newsgatherer
From Jews For JESUS: CONTROVERSY IN WASHINGTON
Stevphen Katz Jews For Jesus
I just got off a call with Jon Moeller, chapel leader for the Washington Nationals baseball team. He volunteers with a ministry called Baseball Chapel. Jon called me because he and Baseball Chapel are facing a challenge from the Jewish community, which has caught them offguard. THEY NEED OUR HELP.
Here is the link to a 4-page article from Sunday's Washington Post. (If you must register to read it, it's free so go ahead and do it. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/17/AR2005091701522.html?sub=AR
The article descibes how Baseball Chapel works, but there a few statements that have gotten the Jewish community angry. "If you know the Lord, you will go to heaven," Moeller's friend, a visiting chapel leader named Bud Smitley, told the men on a recent Sunday. "If you don't know the Lord, it could be the other way around. There's only two places: heaven and hell" While doing a Bible study on John 14:6 and 8:31 a player expressed concern because his former girlfriend is Jewish. He turned to Moeller, "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed?" Jon nodded, like, that's what it meant. "My ex-girlfriend! I was like, man, if they only knew. Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word." Jon has told me that's not an accurate representation of the conversation.
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah, which he's named "The National Synagogue" has holding a press conference even as I type this email. He's gotten the Anti Defamation League involved and many Jewish Nationals fans are writing to express their displeasure.
As it stands, Jon may lose his credential from Baseball Chapel and the organization may not be allowed to minister to the Washinton Nationals team next season. I asked Jon whether any Christians were writing in to voice support for him and Baseball Chapel and he said "No."
To support Jon's ministry and clear proclamation of the gospel, please take a couple of minutes to send email to the following people:
Tony.Tavares@nationals.com (Team President)
Jim.Bowden@nationals.com (VP & General Manager)
Chartese.Berry@nationals.com (VP Communication)
Marty.Sewell@nationals.com (Manager of Media Relations)
Use your words, but your email might state that you are a Christian and are in favor of Jon Moeller's ministry with Baseball Chapel. That Jon was merely teaching a New Testament truth, not his own opinion. That there is nothing at all anti-semitic in this, and that it's an _expression of love to tell everyone about Jesus, including Jewish people. If you are a Nationals fan be sure to add that in! Use your imagination... ....JUST EMAIL SOMETHING TODAY.
Thanks.
Stephen
The Lord Yeshua bless you.
Christ Jesus was/is a Jew. Those who followed Him were considered Christians (Christ followers). Is there really a difference in addressing the group you take issue with as Jews for Jesus or Christian Jews? Do the two words, whether they be Jesus or Christian, offend you...or using them in conjunction with the word Jew?
Is Jesus any less Jewish today than He was 1,9760 years ago? Of course not, why should a man cease being a Jew just because he comes to understand Old Testament Scripture and falls in love with, give his life too, and follows the true Messiah?
What offends me is the deceptive implication that it is possible to be a follower of the Jewish religion and accept that Christ is both "the Messiah" and divine. In Judaism, there are two messiahs (a political one and a military one), and neither is divine. (There are many other contradictions to the idea that one can both follow Judaism and accept the Christian ideas about Christ as well.) It is explicitly used as a method of converting Jews to Christianity incrementally and dishonestly.
>And the "Jews for Jesus" crowd purposely takes advantage of the ambiguity by pretending to be practicing Judaism.<
Have you ever been to one of their services? Their are plenty of Jewish sects out their that claim their leader is the Messiah.As far as I know they are still accepted as Jews.Why are Jews who believe Jesus to be the Messiah and continue to observe Jewish worship practices not Jewish?
Messianic Jews do, and as for those who are not Messianic Jews, but claim to be Jews, well, Jesus has a word or two about them in Revelation chapter three.
Could you direct me to OT scripture that describes what you believe?
Matthew 27:20-25, hatred is hard to dislodge, even when the hatred is against the Creator of the universe.
OK, True Born Again Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christians know that ANYONE who isn't a believer in Christ Jesus and that He is God's resurrected Son, is doomed to eternity in the lake of fire.
First John 2:22 I think.
>Matthew 27:20-25, hatred is hard to dislodge, even when the hatred is against the Creator of the universe.<
I found your blanket characterization of Jews as haters to be offensive as a Christian.attacks such as these have no place in an intelligent conversation.
The words are not mind, have yu read the referenced Scripture? If not, don't you think you should first read and then comment?
I know who's words they are I am disputing your choice to use them here as a weapon.I suggest you spend sometime in Phillipians and meditate on God's word on having a heart for the lost.
That just about covers what we believe.
Equal opportunity for all....one way or the other.
To broad a statement, be more specifc, where in the New Testament do you get the idea that you can tell me what Scripture is appropriate and what Scripture isn't?
Are you a Born Again Washed in the Blood of the Lamb Christian?
The sword of Scripture, let us use it and let the Holy Spirit do the sorting out, let us use Scripture for the cancer of society as the medics use chemotheropy for the cancer of the flesh.
For does He not say: So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isiah 55:11 ACP/KJV)
Yes, it does.
And, I agree with you.
The Word is powerful.
Let us show our love of our fellow freeper by giving them Scripture to read when ever and where ever we can.
And if Jim or one of the many moderators vban us, well so be it, it is not us they ban but Christ.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Matthew 5:11 ACP/KJV)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John14:27 ACP/KJV)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for Jesus's sake. Historically, persecution has been the norm for preaching the truth.
YUP, I agree.
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