41 former Muslims baptized!

By God’s grace, 41 former Muslims were recently baptized in the Middle East. Leaders of the Bibles for Mideast organization conducted the baptismal ceremony in a highly restricted area.

All candidates had accepted Jesus as their personal savior and Lord, fully believe he was crucified and died at Calvary for their sins, and that he rose from the dead. They knew that through and by his blood they had received redemption. Each personally requested this next step in their Christian journey, wanting to be purified in the Spirit and the water and be ready to meet Him. Our Lord’s return is imminent, they all believe.

Bibles for Mideast had called for five days of global fasting and prayer the previous week, and all candidates had taken part to prepare themselves for the planned mass baptism. When their bus arrived at the seashore at dawn that day, they discovered the area to be tightly patrolled by police.

“We smelled a dangerous situation at the seashore,” reports Pastor Paul, Director of the organization. “So we returned back to spend another day in fasting and prayer. We also divided the people into three groups, and conducted the service in three different places the next day.”

The organization had a special meeting later on the day of the planned baptism (Dec. 5) to discuss and formulate plans for the growth of the church in Asia, Africa and the Middle East among Muslims.

Close to 150 underground house churches worship the Lord in different areas under the directorship of Bibles for Mideast.

Pastor Paul said in his inaugural address to those gathered that all of the house churches must come under a separate church administration. He also said every church must become a self-supporting, missionary-sending church. Serious discussion ensued and a sub-committee was appointed for further action.

Bibles for Mideast is not a church, but a missionary organization spreading the gospel, distributing bibles and establishing churches. So it was decided all the separate churches need separate administration and curriculum.

Pastor Paul also strongly urged each church to give a bible to every believer as a Christmas and New Year’s gift. They should also, he advised, present a bible with an accompanying message of salvation to one of their best Muslim friends. This would serve to win others to Christ as well as train believers to be missionary-minded people, part of a missionary church.

Guide us to the straight path

GOSPEL TRACT FOR MUSLIMS, prepared by Bibles for Mideast

“Ih’dina Sirathwal musthakim” is the fifth verse of the first Surah of the Qur’an and it means “Guide us to the straight path”.

There is a traditional saying that ‘sirathwal musthakim’ is a narrow bridge over hell to heaven, made out of seven torn pieces of a hair. The righteous can pass over the bridge without any trials, but the wicked will go to hell.

A worldly person cannot pass over the narrow bridge. Jesus says in the Book of Injil: “Enter God’s kingdom through the narrow gate. The gate is large and the road is wide that leads to ruin. Many people go that way. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to Life. Only a few people find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14)

The Qur’an warns humanity: “Lo! They who deny our revelations and scorn them, for them the gates of Heaven will not be opened nor will they enter the garden until the camel goes through the needle’s eye.” (Qur’an 7:40)

The Qur’an 7:10-17 says: “God created Adam out of mud, fashioned him and told the angels to fall and prostrate before the man. Iblis (Lucifer) did not obey. God degraded him. Still he asked God for reprieve till the day when human beings are raised from the dead. It was granted. Then Iblis (Satan) said to God that he will lurk in ambush of man on God’s Right Path. Again he said that he will go upon them from before them and from behind them and from their right hands and from their left hands for God would not find most of them beholden.”

Humanity does not see the Right Narrow Path, because it is hidden by Iblis. Also he tries to lead them into wrong, broad and worldly ways. But the Muslim world knows the broad path is not the right one to heaven, and prays to God to be shown the Right Path.

In the book of Injil (in the New Testament of the Bible) Jesus says, “Try very hard to enter through the narrow door. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able to.” (Luke 13:24). In the Bible, Jesus also declares, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6)

The Qur’an declares in 19:21 that Jesus is a revelation for humanity and a mercy from God, and has been ordained.

Jesus destroyed the head of Iblis, and opened the narrow door of Heaven. He says: “In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” (John 16:33) Also He has given grace to those born of God so they can overcome the world.

Yes! It is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. “That’s because everyone who is a child of God has won the battle over the world. Our faith has won the battle for us. Who is it that has won the battle over the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5)

But still it is very sad to say and to see that the truth of the Gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this world has blinded their minds and spirits, to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

“There is only one God. And there is only one go-between, one mediator, for God and human beings. He is the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5)

The Qur’an also says very clearly that Jesus, son of Mary, illustrious in both the world and the Hereafter, is one of those brought near unto God (Qur’an 3:45). So we may keep our duty to God and obey Jesus (Qur’an 3:50; 43:61).

The Bible is the word of God. It well explains why Jesus, the Son of the Most High, came down from heaven as the Son of Mary. “When the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God’s children." (Gal. 4:4-5)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

"Jesus didn’t have any sin. But God made him become sin for us, So we can be made right with God because of what Jesus has done for us." (2 Cor. 5:21)

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, God doesn't want you or anyone to go astray. Believe in Christ Jesus as the Son of God, accept Him as your personal savior and Lord. Only then can you can freely and joyously enter into the Kingdom of Heaven through the Right Narrow Path which is Jesus. He is the Word of God (Kalimathullah—see John 1:1 and John 1:14); the Spirit of God (Ruhullah—see John 4:24 and 2 Cor. 3:17); and the Messiah of God (Massihullah—see John 4:25-26) who became a ransom for many (see Mark 10:45).

Yes! Jesus is the Right, Straight, Narrow Path. He is, as He says, the Way, the Truth and the Life  By faith in Jesus you can easily enter into heaven.

Say the following prayer in your heart and with your mouth:

GOD, HEAVENLY FATHER, I BELIEVE IN JESUS AS YOUR ONLY BEGOTTEN SON WHO CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN, DIED ON THE CROSS, AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD TO GIVE ME ETERNAL LIFE AND SALVATION. 
I ACCEPT JESUS AS MY PERSONAL SAVIOR AND LORD. FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT THAT I MAY WALK WITH JESUS MY LORD ACCORDING TO HIS WILL AND HIS COMMANDMENTS. AMEN!

Bibles for Mideast Pastor Paul and many other Bibles for Mideast workers have turned from islam to Christianity. Please contact us via our CONTACT form if you have questions or would like further prayer. We would love to pray with and for you! 

Militants firebomb home of Bibles for Mideast women; two seriously injured

(Nov. 19, 2016) The house of six women working with Bibles for Mideast was fire-bombed by Muslim militants in the Middle East yesterday evening, with two seriously injured.

Ramza, a young woman featured in a story here last July (Muslim father kills daughter; Jesus raises her from the dead), managed to miraculously escape with only minor injuries.

The six women lived and worked together, evangelizing and distributing bibles to local women, as well as  working for their livelihood as farm laborers.

After their evening prayers, the women had gone to bed. Not long after, they awakened to a terrifying noise and saw their house burning around them. They screamed and attempted to escape. But men armed with guns stood at their door.

“As we tried to come out, they fired at us,” reported Saleeha, who managed to escape unharmed. “So we were forced back into the house. By then, two women had collapsed, seriously burnt.”

“People living nearby managed to reach our house with weapons, and the attackers finally left,” Saleeha said.  “Five to seven attackers had come to kill us. They came by motor bikes. But our Lord Jesus Christ protected our lives,” she added.

“Christ Jesus is our mighty Savior and Lord!” Ramza added. “He is able to keep us safe. Whether we live or die, we belong to him.” As someone who had already experienced death at her own father’s hands, and been resurrected by Jesus, she certainly understood better than most of us the truth of her words.

The injured women were hospitalized, and the others moved to a different location. Please pray for them.

98-year-old Sri Lankan pastor carries on in the Lord's ministry

98-year old Pastor Tiddy Senapatiratne of Sri Lanka

Report: Bibles for Mideast

"Even at the age of 98, my grandfather carries on a ministry of intercession as well as writing prayer letters to encourage pastors and believers," says Kevin Senapatiratne of his grandfather, Tiddy Senapatiratne. "In his writings, he is challenging people to follow the Scripture and live it out with faith and adventure."

We present to you here the latest letter from Pastor Tiddy to Pastor Paul of Bibles for Mideast.

_________________________

My dear Brother in Christ,

Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who exhorts us to read and obey His Word.

Sometime back I wrote in one of my letters to you about God commanding us to meditate on God's Word day and night (Joshua 1:8,9). He did not only command us, but He also gave us promises. Joshua had only five books at that time, but now we have 66 books (in the Bible) to read and obey, and we have many more promises in them. God loves us so much, and I am sure you too would have experienced His love in many ways, just as much as I have, perhaps more.

We should read God’s word often, if possible daily—at least a small portion each day. It will make us grow in our Christian life. I used to know a Mr. Leisser, the proprietor of an English firm in Sri Lanka. He told me that he had read through the Bible 40 times. He knew it thoroughly from beginning to end. We need not do so much, but if we read it as often as we could and use it for His glory and for the salvation of souls, we will be much blessed. It will be helpful if we could learn verses of scripture by heart.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

The Word of God has been used powerfully by many persons mentioned in the Bible. Let us have a look at some of them.

A centurion wanted his servant healed. He knew that if only Jesus would speak a word from just where He was, his servant would be healed, just as for when he speaks a word to his soldiers they obey. Please read about it in Matthew 8:5-13.

Jesus cast out demons with His Word. We read about it in many places in the Bible. Whatever Jesus said was with authority (Luke 4:32; Matt. 7:28,29; John 6:63).

After Jesus ascended, His disciples spoke with authority as He had done. One such occasion was when Peter and John healed a man who was lame from his birth. When this man was healed he went into the temple “walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:1-9).

In Acts 9:32-35, Peter only spoke a few words and Aeneas (who had been bedridden for eight years) arose immediately.

In Acts 9:36-41 we read of Dorcas, who was dead, being raised up by Peter speaking only two words after praying.

When Elymas the sorcerer tried to prevent the deputy from accepting what Paul said, being filled with the Spirit, Paul said: “You shall be blind not seeing the sun for a season.” Immediately he became blind (Acts 13:6-12).

In Acts 14:8-10 when Paul said “Stand up straight on your feet,” the man who had never walked stood, leaped and walked.

Please read the story of Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-10. Both had lied and when Peter spoke to each one they fell down and died.

When we see what happened when apostles of Jesus did after seeing Him do all these, do we not get a desire to act similarly? But we might excuse ourselves, saying that they saw Jesus Himself do it all. What about us? Let us ask Jesus to give us too a vision and power to do likewise and be firebrands for Him.

May the Lord bless you.

Your servant in the service of the Most High God,

Tiddy Senapatiratne

Islamists march for ouster of Christian Governor in Indonesia

Governor Ahok and his wife Veronica Tan

(Nov. 4, 2016) Around 150,000 hardline Muslim protesters rallied outside the Presidential palacein Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, today to demand the resignation of the governor of Jakarta, who they said had insulted the Koran.

Basuki Tjahja Purnama, popularly known as Ahok, the Governor of Jakarta is a Christian. He was planning a re-election bid in February.

A member of Indonesia’s Christian minority and of Chinese heritage, Ahok is the first ethnic governor in the country. Christians make up one percent of the population.

He took the gubernatorial seat in Jakarta in 2014, which had been vacated with Joko Widodo's election as president. But hardline Muslims have opposed Ahok's rise to power.

The protesters, led by a group called the Islamic Defenders Front, demanded Governor Ahok be jailed for blasphemy. They waved placards and chanted "Hang Ahok" and "Allahu Akbar,"  according to missionaries of Bibles for Mideast in Indonesia.

Although the rally had been mostly peaceful, violence erupted as police clashed with protesters who disobeyed instructions to disperse after nightfall. Police used tear gas and water cannons in attempts to control angry demonstrators. One man died, while four civilians and three police officers were injured as a result of the clash.

Police officialscalculateit is the second biggest protest against Ahok in less than a month. In October, another protest against him gathered at City Hall.

About 18,000 soldiers and police, some equipped with rifles, were on patrol and secured shopping malls in Jakarta during the procession.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-populated country in the world (India being second and Pakistan third).

"Ahok is not Muslim, but he humiliated the Koran," protesters said.

Many of the protesters wore white robes and Muslim caps and gathered at the central Istiqlal Mosque, the biggest mosque in the country, before they began moving toward the presidential palace.

There were smaller protests against Ahok in other cities, including Surabaya, Makassar and Medan.

March of Islamists in Jakarta against Governor Ahok, a Christian

The governor has built a reputation of being a tough reformer who is determined to clean up Jakarta’s streets and battle corruption in government. These traits have made him widely popular and have given him an edge on next year’s election. However, Islamic hardliners oppose him and do not want him to hold a government position because of his faith in Jesus Christ. He will compete for re-election against two Muslims, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, son of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and a former education minister, Anies Baswedan.

Ethnic Chinese make up just over one percent of Indonesia's 250 million people, and they typically do not enter politics.

Indonesia suffered a series of Islamist attacks early in the last decade. In the most serious incident, 202 people were killed in bombings of a nightclub on the island of Bali in 2002.

An attack in Jakarta early this year by supporters of Islamic State raised fears of a new wave of violent militancy.

Pray for Governor Ahok and his family, as well as all Christians in Indonesia. Pray also for the ministries of Bibles for Mideast, its missionaries and the many new believers.