01/07/2025
A Message for Our Muslim Brothers and Sisters
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, we turn to both the Quran and the Bible to explore the nature of God, His love, and the way to salvation. The scriptures offer us profound insights into Godâs mercy, forgiveness, and the ultimate path to freedom through Jesus Christ.
God as the Source of Love
Both the Quran and the Bible make clear that God is love, and that His love is the foundation of His relationship with humanity.
In the Quran:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195) - "Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good."
Surah Aal-E-Imran (3:31) - "Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, so Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'"
In the Bible:
1 John 4:8 - "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
1 John 4:16 - "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love. Whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in them."
These verses remind us that love is central to God's character. Through loving God, we experience His mercy and forgiveness.
Liberation and Freedom
Both the Quran and the Bible emphasize the concept of freedomânot just from physical bo***ge, but from the spiritual oppression of sin. True liberation is found in Godâs guidance and the sacrifice of Jesus.
In the Quran:
Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:62) - "Indeed, my Lord is with me; He will guide me." This verse speaks of Godâs guidance, leading to spiritual liberation.
In the Bible:
Isaiah 61:1 - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
These passages show that true freedom comes from God, both in His guidance and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Prophecies in the Psalms Fulfilled in Jesus
The Psalms in the Bible contain many prophecies believed by Christians to refer to Jesus.
These prophecies are seen as fulfilled in the New Testament. Here are key examples:
1. Psalm 22 - The Suffering Servant
Psalm 22 is one of the most frequently cited Psalms in the New Testament, containing prophecies about the crucifixion of Jesus.
Psalm 22:1 - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Jesus speaks these words from the cross in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34.
Psalm 22:16-18 - "Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; they look, they stare at me. They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."
This passage is seen as predicting the piercing of Jesusâ hands and feet and the soldiers casting lots for His clothing, as described in John 19:23-24.
Psalm 22:27-28 - "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations."
This is seen as foretelling the spread of Christianity after Jesusâ resurrection.
2. Psalm 16 - The Resurrection
Psalm 16 is considered a prophecy about Jesusâ resurrection.
Psalm 16:10 - "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption."
Acts 2:27-31 affirms that this refers to Jesus, whose body did not decay in the grave.
3. Psalm 110 - The Exaltation of the Messiah
Psalm 110 speaks of the Messiahâs exaltation.
Psalm 110:1 - "The Lord says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.'"
This is quoted in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Acts 2:34-35, affirming that Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophecy.
4. Psalm 118 - The Rejected Stone
Psalm 118 prophesies the rejection of the Messiah.
Psalm 118:22-23 - "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this is the Lordâs doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."
This passage is cited in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17, referring to Jesus being rejected by the Jewish leaders but becoming the cornerstone of Godâs plan.
The Romans Road to Salvation
The Bible presents the Romans Road as the path to salvation, emphasizing that salvation is not earned through works but through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
This reminds us that all have sinned and are unable to meet Godâs perfect standard.
Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
While sin brings death, the free gift of eternal life is available through Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
This verse emphasizes that Jesus' death was an act of love, offered for sinners, even when they were undeserving.
Romans 10:9 - "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
This verse teaches that salvation comes by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection.
Romans 10:13 - "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Salvation is available to all who call on Jesus' name, emphasizing the universality of Godâs offer of redemption.
The False Claims About Jesus' Death
The Quran acknowledges that Jesus was not crucified but that someone was made to appear like him. However, the Bible reveals a plot by the Jewish authorities to deceive others about the circumstances of Jesusâ death.
Matthew 28:11-15 describes how the Jewish leaders bribed the soldiers guarding Jesus' tomb to spread the false story that His disciples had stolen His body, saying:
Matthew 28:13-15 - "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day."
This lie was propagated by those who opposed Jesus, aiming to cover up His resurrection and deceive the public.
The Importance of Confession and Belief
As the Bible clearly teaches, salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 tells us that:
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
This highlights the necessity of both belief in Jesus as Lord and trust in His resurrection for salvation.
True Liberation in Christ
While many nations, including those in the Islamic world, may experience political or social constraints, the Bible speaks of a deeper freedom that transcends earthly limitations. True freedom is found in spiritual liberation through Jesus Christ.
John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
This freedom is not just from physical oppression but from sin and the fear of death. Jesusâ sacrifice provides peace and freedom that cannot be found in earthly powers.
An Invitation to Reflect
We invite you to consider these profound truths. While human works cannot earn salvation, the Bible teaches that through belief in Jesus Christâthe Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the worldâtrue redemption is found. By confessing Jesus as Lord and trusting in His sacrifice, we are set free from sin and given eternal life with God.
May God guide you to the truth and fill your heart with His mercy, love, and freedom.