Dr. Robert Sumner passed away in December 2016. The Biblical Evangelist newspaper is no longer being published and the ministry of Biblical Evangelism has ceased operation.

The remaining inventory of his books and gospel tracts was transferred to The Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles and may be ordered here.

Reaching Cults for Christ (Part 2)
Evangelist Robert L. Sumner

Reaching Cults for Christ!

by Evangelist Robert L. Sumner

[Editor’s Note: We began this study on the cults in our last issue and dealt with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, so-called. We pick the study up from there.]

II. THOSE TRAPPED BY THE

ERROR OF JUDAISM

Once again let me emphasize that, whenever possible, you should deal with your prospect as a lost sinner, not as a Jew, Roman Catholic, Mormon, or what-have-you! Some of the best Jewish soul winners in the country have told me they felt it better to deal with a Jew as a lost sinner, rather than as a Jew. However, this will not be possible with some Jews. Some, particularly the orthodox, will have to be personally and thoroughly convinced that Jesus is their long-awaited Messiah before putting their faith and trust in Him.

First of all, call attention to the Old Testament prophecies regarding a suffering Messiah. As a matter of fact, the original prophecy about Messiah – found in Genesis 3:15 – called for His suffering; that is, the bruising of His heel by Satan. Following this initial prophecy can be found ample evidence, scattered in passages by the score throughout the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament, to prove unmistakably that Jesus is the Christ. This is the line of proof our Lord used, you will recall, with two of His own disciples in Luke 24:44,46,47.

Here are some Scriptures which can be effectively used regarding the Old Testament prophecy of Messiah's suffering and the New Testament fulfillment by Jesus of Nazareth: (1) Given vinegar to drink: Psalm 69:21 with John 19:28-30; (2) Sold for thirty pieces of silver: Zechariah 11:12 with Matthew 26:14-16; (3) Parting of His garments: Psalm 22:18 with John 19:23,24; (4) Piercing of His hands and feet: Psalm 22:16 with Luke 23:33, Luke 24:40 and John 20:24-29. Regarding the prophecy in Psalm 22:16, Matthew Henry well commented: "He is here crucified. The very manner of His death is described, though never in use among the Jews"; (5) Piercing of His side: Zechariah12:10 with John 19:31-37; (6) Condemned on the basis of false testimony: Psalm 35:11 with Matthew 26:59; (7) Beaten and spit upon: Isaiah 50:6 with Luke 22:63-65; Mark 15:19, John 19:1,3 and Matthew 26:67,68; (8) Silent in His own defense: Isaiah 53:7 with Matthew 27:12-14 and Luke 23:8-10; (9) Bearing our sins: Isaiah 53:5 with I Peter 2:24, II Corinthians 5:21 and Matthew 26:28; (10) Bearing our griefs, sicknesses and sorrows: Isaiah 53:4 with Matthew 8:16,17; (11) Wagging of heads by passers-by: Psalm 109:25 with Matthew 27:29; (12) Numbered with the transgressors: Isaiah 53:12 with Mark 15:27, 28; (13) Committal of His spirit: Psalm 31:5 with Luke 23:46; (14) Darkness beginning at noon (sixth hour): Amos 8:9 with Matthew 27:45; (15) Forsaken by God the Father: Psalm 22:1 with Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34; (16) Smiting resulting in scattering of sheep: Zechariah 13: 7 with Matthew 26:56; (17) Challenge of His enemies for His Father's help: Psalm 22:7,8 with Matthew 27:41-44; (18) Witness of the spectators: Psalm 22:17 with Matthew 27:36; (19) Not a bone broken: Psalm 34:20 with John 19:31-36; (20) Friends standing afar off: Psalm 38:11 with Luke 23:49; (21) Messiah interceding for transgressors: Isaiah 53:12 with Luke 23:34; (22) Death, burial with wicked, rich: Isaiah 53:9 with Matthew 27:38,57-60; (23) Resurrection from the grave: Psalm 16:10 with Acts 2:25-32.

In addition to calling attention to some of the above prophecies about a suffering Messiah, you may want to point out other Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled by Jesus Christ in His first advent. For example: (1) The virgin birth: Isaiah 7:14 with Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1: 26-38; (2) The triumphal entry: Zechariah 9:9 with Matthew 21:1-11; (3) His birthplace: Micah 5:2 with Luke 2: 4-7 and Matthew 2:1-8; (4) Special messenger as forerunner announcing His coming: Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 with Matthew 3:1-12 and Mark 1:1-8; (5) Betrayed by His friend: Zechariah 13:6 (note again also the reference to crucifixion) with Matthew 26:14-16,20-25,46-50; (6) Betrayal money used for potter's field: Zechariah 11:13 with Matthew 27:3-10; (7) Rejected by His own people: Isaiah 53:1,3 with John 1:11 and John 12:37,38; (8) Birth of a God-child: Isaiah 9:6 with John 1:1-3,14,17; (9) Adoration by wise men from the East: Isaiah 60:3,6 with Matthew 2:1-11; (10) Called out of Egypt: Hosea 11:1 with Matthew 2:13-15,19-21; (11) Slaughter of the young innocents: Jeremiah 31:15 with Matthew 2:16-18; (12) His betrayer's death: Psalm 55:12-15,21,23 with Matthew 27:5 and Acts 1:16-19; (13) Purification of the Temple: Psalm 69:9 with John 2:13-17; (14) His ministry in Galilee: Isaiah 9:1,2 with Matthew 4:12-16.

After the Jewish friend is convinced that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah announced in his Bible, it will be an easy matter to show him how to receive this Savior by simple faith. You may use the procedure given in our study about presenting your case for this.

(To Be Continued)

[Taken from the editor's book, Biblical Evangelism In Action, ©1966; $11, Postage Paid; Special quantity discounts for classes]