1. “Who Is Your Savior?” Christianity and Islam Lesson #6

2. Titus 2:11-13—For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

3. The Consequence of Creation Both Islam and Christianity proclaim a God who created the world (Gen. 1:1; Surah 7:54) Both Islam and Christianity declare their God will judge the world (2 Peter 3:10; Eccl. 12:13-14; Surah 2:62; 3:185; 23;15-16) Both Islam and Christianity claim their God is just (Psa. 7:11; Surah 6:115)

4. The Problem of Sin: Islam teaches that infidels, idolaters, and transgressors will be condemned by Allah The Bible teaches: Sin is ultimately and always against God (Psalm 41:4; 51:4) Sin is a transgression against God’s will (1 John 3:4) Sin is neglect and omission of God’s perfect will (James 4:17) Sin is falling short of God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:23) Sin severs fellowship between God and man (Isaiah 59:1-2) All accountable people are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23)

5. Islamic Means of Reconciliation Surah 11:114— And perform As-Salat (Iqamat- as-Salat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).

6. Islamic Means of Reconciliation Surah 4:156-158--And because of their (Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary) a grave false charge (that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse);157. And because of their saying (in boast), "We killed Messiah 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," - And Allah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise. but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of 'Iesa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are full of doubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they follow nothing but conjecture. For surely; they killed him not [i.e. 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary) ]:158. But Allah raised him ['Iesa (Jesus)] up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens).

7. Islamic Means of Reconciliation: Surah 7:7-10— Then surely, We shall narrate unto them (their whole story) with knowledge, and indeed We were not absent. 8. And the weighing on that day (Day of Resurrection) will be the true (weighing). So as for those whose scale (of good deeds) will be heavy, they will be the successful (by entering Paradise). 9. And as for those whose scale will be light, they are those who will lose their ownselves (by entering Hell) because they denied and rejected Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 10. And surely, We gave you authority on the earth and appointed for you therein provisions (for your life). Little thanks do you give.

8. Islamic Means of Reconciliation: Surah 3:129— And to Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful.

9. Islamic Means of Reconciliation: Surah 2:284— To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and whether you disclose what is in your ownselves or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it. Then He forgives whom He wills and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is Able to do all things.

10. Islamic Teaching on Judgment Day: Surah 41:19-23— And (remember) the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, so they will be collected there (the first and the last). 20. Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do. 21. And they will say to their skins, "Why do you testify against us?" They will say: "Allah has caused us to speak, as He causes all things to speak, and He created you the first time, and to Him you are made to return." 22. And you have not been hiding against yourselves, lest your ears, and your eyes, and your skins testify against you, but you thought that Allah knew not much of what you were doing. 23. And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction, and you have become (this Day) of those utterly lost!

11. Islamic Teaching on Judgment Day: Surah 36:65— This Day, We shall seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn. (It is said that one's left thigh will be the first to bear the witness).

12. Islamic Teaching on Judgment Day: Surah 18:49— And the Book (one's Record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah), and you will see the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, etc.), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: "Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!" And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.

13. Islamic Teaching on Judgment: Surah 7:7-10— Then surely, We shall narrate unto them (their whole story) with knowledge, and indeed We were not absent.8. And the weighing on that day (Day of Resurrection) will be the true (weighing). So as for those whose scale (of good deeds) will be heavy, they will be the successful (by entering Paradise). 9. And as for those whose scale will be light, they are those who will lose their ownselves (by entering Hell) because they denied and rejected Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). 10. And surely, We gave you authority on the earth and appointed for you therein provisions (for your life). Little thanks do you give.

14. The Pillars of Islam FAITH—RECITING THE SHAHADA PRAYER— SALAT ALMSGIVING— PAYING ZAKAT THE FAST— RAMADAN THE PILGRIMAGE— THE HAJJ

15. Biblical Conversion Saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-10) The necessity of an atoning sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:22) Salvation only in Christ (Acts 4:12) The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4)

16. Power in the Blood REDEMPTION IS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (Eph. 1:7) THE BLOOD OF CHRIST JUSTIFIES (Rom. 5:9) THE BLOOD OF CHRIST SANCTIFIES (Heb. 13:12) THE BLOOD OF CHRIST CLEANSES (1 John 1:7) THE BLOOD OF CHRIST LOOSES (RELEASES) FROM SIN (Rev. 1:5) WE MADE TO DRAW NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (Eph. 2:13) RECONCILIATION OF MAN TO GOD IS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (Col. 1:20) THE CHURCH WAS PURCHASED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST (Acts 20:28)

17. Biblical Reconciliation: Sin has severed man’s fellowship with God (Romans 3:23) Man cannot restore fellowship on his own (Romans 5:6-8) God in His grace restored fellowship through Christ (Eph. 1:7)

18. Man’s Part: HEAR (ROMANS 10:17) BELIEVE (JOHN 3:16; 8:24) REPENT (LUKE 13:3; ACTS 2:38; 3:19) CONFESS (ACTS 8:35-39) BAPTISM (MARK 16:15-16; ACTS 22:16; ROMANS 6:3-5)

19. Who Is Your Savior? Surah 6:51— And warn therewith (the Qur'an) those who fear that they will be gathered before their Lord, when there will be neither a protector nor an intercessor for them besides Him, so that they may fear Allah and keep their duty to Him (by abstaining from committing sins and by doing all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained). Surah 2:48— And fear a Day (of Judgement) when a person shall not avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from him nor will compensation be taken from him nor will they be helped.

20. Islam’s Assurance of Salvation Surah 47:4-6— So, when you meet (in fight Jihad in Allah's Cause), those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire) or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost, 5. He will guide them and set right their state. 6. And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise more than they used to know their houses in the world).