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I was invited to a local meeting of Christians United for Israel (CUFI) meeting yesterday. I have run across some of their people at other local meetings, so I accepted the invitation to hear the out of town speaker, have lunch with some of my ministry friends and learn something about Israel and CUFI. Today I am convinced more than ever that the best thing we can do for a Jew is tell them about Jesus, as a speaker from Jews for Jesus once said at my church years ago. At the meeting yesterday, with Jews and Gentiles present, there was no focus on the Gospel, only a condemnation of Christians for their abuse of Jews over the centuries and a heavy dose of guilt. We, as guilty Christians, were told that we must unquestionably support Israel without thoughts (or effort) to evangelize the secular state or offend Jews in this country by sharing our faith in Jesus Christ.I felt as if the CUFI speaker was saying it is anti-Semitic to speak of of the need for Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah, that there was no need and that we (Christians) must be subservient to Jews in issues of OT understanding. There was a lengthy condemnation of the World Counsel of Churches (WCC) and their liberal stance and statements about Israel. When I pointed out that my denomination (COGOP) was not (and never has been) a member of the WCC and that we would challenge that those member churches were even be consider Christian, the speaker was dismissive and said we were all sinners (as in all us Christians are guilty for the harm of Jews). I asked about a statement of faith for the CUFI concerning what they define as a Christian, and the speaker said there was one in the packet, which I could not find. I looked on the website, and could not find one. I looked at John Hagee's website and found his church's/ministry statement of faith, which would echo most Pentecostal churches/denominations, including the need for all to be saved through Jesus Christ. John Hagee is the father of CUFI.I support Israel with prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. I want to love everybody, Jew and Gentile, of all races alike. The best love I can give is to share that Jesus is the Messiah who died for their sins.The more I think about that meeting, the more I am thankful for Christ and His Church.Mat

Mat,Jewish folks don't like you to say that the Jews were the leaders of the one's that crucified Christ. And - those that committed atrocities against the Jews always used that as a leading reason why they did so. SO it is very understandable why they don't like to hear that.But I have always wondered - if they feel like Jesus was just a false prophet - as it is documented that he believed he was the Messiah I Am (even though he didn't testify as such in their kangaroo court) - do they also deny that they led the charge to crucify him? Did that come up at the meeting you attended?Now - the NT lets us know that all of our sins - Jews and Gentiles alike - put him on the cross; required the cross - but Jews don't believe any of the NT. Just wondered how they reconcile that

Nature Boy,I realize CUFI is focused on the politics of supporting Israel - as in it is Christian duty (debt) to make sure the USA ensures the continued existence of Israel, but I did not feel mush concern for the salvation of Jews or Gentiles in the presentation.It seems to me that Jews should be the primary force in the preservation of Israel, though a recent study in this country did not place Israel as a high priority among Jewish communities. It seems an odd (un-Biblical) argument that Gentiles are responsible for Israel's safety, especially if it is God (which it is) who brought about the restoration of Israel (which He did). Likewise, the command is for the Jews to return to the Promise Land and to re-establish the Temple and correct observance of the Law. Gentiles doing this would make it un-clean I would think.

Some organization are Jewish fronts that seek to enlist Christian support for Jewish causes. If I remember correctly, when Israel prepared to invade Lebanon, the first call was made to...JERRY FALWELL. Why? Because he wielded enormous influence with conservative Christians...who, in turn, wielded significant influence with Congress, etc.

Aaron,Some ask for my Christian support, but my support and my witness cannot be separated. I will not check my faith in Jesus Christ our Lord at the door, nor will I deny the New Covenant provided by His blood. The church is not God's second plan, due to Israel's rejection of the Messiah, it was God's plan all along to redeem both Jew and Gentile, making them one body in Christ.What troubled me most of all about that meeting was that a Christian minister focused on the persecution of the Jews by Christians. The question must be asked, why did God's Chosen People get scattered from the Promised Land into the Gentile nations and why, for 2000 years, have they not returned and rebuilt the temple (or tabernacle) and instituted the priests and blood sacrifices of the Law. Can you really keep the three main feast each year without going to Jerusalem?Paul told the Jews in Romans that the Gentile nations have no respect for the Law because the Jews are the first to disobey the Law. Thus, as you know, all (Jew and Gentile) have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No one is past needing the Savior.Mat

Whenever there is a Christian organization that seems to care more about politics or non-spiritual things, it is almost always the case, I think, that we are being merchandised--used for the purposes of others.While we all may feel strongly supportive of Israel. But it is just as unfair of Jewish or Christian leaders to lambast Christians for what has happened to Jews in past generations...as it is for Christians to hold what happened 2000 years ago over the heads of today's Jews. For that matter, 2000 years ago, Jesus prayed that His Father would forgive them for they knew not what they were doing.I detest anyone trading on the name of Jesus to get their political way...or any other way that is not directly related to Jesus. I've heard of people who will go to churches and, trying to get some handout, will try to guilt ministers into giving to them blindly. NOPE.

I don't know anything about these organizations, but my support of Israel is that they are the first line of defense in the middle EAst. Israel is our ally. they are more western than eastern. Of course the main thrust of any ministry toward Israel is to introduce Jesus and SHOW a true Christian spirit and character. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

Many of these ministries focus on their support for the Jewish state and distance themselves for Messianic Jews who confess Jesus as their Savior. I have been told that Messianic Jews are not always welcomed in Israel - which is interesting, because as a state they are very liberal and socialist. Also, I get the feeling that these groups are ready for the Palestinian people to die and go to hell, the sooner the better. A missionary to Israel (its been several years ago) said that Christian witness is not welcomed in Israel and that most Christian churches - even the Evangelical ones - are made up of Palestinians. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, my desire is for the Jewish people to be saved through belief in Jesus the Christ. I understand from the scriptures that God will bring back (has) the nation of Israel and in the final days of this earth there will be a Temple. However, I also understand that many in Israel will be deceived by the anti-Christ and only a believing remnant will stand as a witness. It will not be the Israeli Defense Force that fights the final battle against the nations gathered against Israel (or American aid that will save them), it will be Jesus Christ and the Host of Heaven. The Messiah will return to Jerusalem and all who believe in Him will be saved.