A few weeks ago another horrific terrorist attack took place in Israel where four more Israelis lost their lives.
Not only did the majority of the world remain silent on the continued assault on the Jewish nation but many still find ways to place the blame squarely upon the State of Israel and the mere fact that it even exists. Sadly, Christians have not been completely immune to such thinking. We are seeing more and more disciples of the Master turn against Israel and find reasons to side with their enemies.
Yet, we see glimmers of hope where major Christian organizations are still affirming their full support for the state of Israel and its right to exist. Such took place last week at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in St. Louis, MO. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is the largest protestant denomination in the United States. At their meeting they passed a resolution for the continued support of the State of Israel. Here’s the complete text of Resolution 5:
RESOLUTION 5: ON PRAYER AND SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
WHEREAS, The Old Testament declares God’s promise to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation…. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt, and all the peoples of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:1-3); and
WHEREAS, Israel represents the descendants of Jacob as an ethnic, cultural, and national entity (Genesis 32:28); and
WHEREAS, The New Testament affirms that salvation is from the Jews and that God’s Word concerning Israel will be fulfilled (John 4:22; Romans 9-11); and
WHEREAS, We are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for the salvation of Israel (Psalm 122:6-7; Romans 10:1); and
WHEREAS, We share with the nation of Israel many values as the only democratic ally of the United States in the Middle East; and
WHEREAS, The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement seeks to isolate the nation of Israel economically and socially; and
WHEREAS, We are concerned by anti-Israel activities in this country within certain university campuses, academic and professional associations, and popular culture; and
WHEREAS, We thankfully remember that we are indebted to the Jewish people, who gave us much of our Bible and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, June 14-15, 2016, commit to bless Israel; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we support the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign state and reject any activities that attack that right by promoting economic, cultural, and academic boycotts against Israel; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That at this critical time when dangerous forces are mounting up against the nation of Israel, we recommit ourselves to pray for God’s peace to rule in Jerusalem and for the salvation of Israel, for the Gospel is “God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew” (Romans 1:16).
In today’s day and age when Christian anti-Israel sentiments are on the rise, this resolution by the SBC is nothing sort of incredible. May the Father bless the SBC richly for their commitment to his people and their land and may many other disciples of Yeshua follow suit!
Source: First Fruits of Zion
