Ex-Moslems report: why they chose Jesus!
Christians from 39 nations and 50 ethnic groups are represented in a study
of some 600 ex-Moslems carried out by Fuller Theological Institute's
Professor Dudley Woodberry. They speak of the reasons why they decided to
leave Islam to follow Jesus, even in the face of heavy persecution,
sacrifice and death threats.
The most important results:
- a growing number of Moslems are turning to Jesus;
- a growing number of small groups are meeting in secret, hiding their new
faith even from their own families.
The most frequently mentioned reasons for conversion were:
1. Certainty of Salvation: according to Islamic tradition (Hadith), the
bridge to heaven "is only as wide as a hair; not even good deeds guarantee
admission to Paradise." Many were attracted by the certainty of salvation
in Jesus.
2. Christ's character is particularly attractive: "He does not retaliate,
is humble, loves the poor and outcasts; the power of his love is unique,
and one can enter a relationship with him, completely different to Islam,
in which a personal relationship with God is unthinkable."
3. Christians' character: "Christians are the only people who really work
for justice for the poor and repressed; Christians' unconditional love, and
their peaceful and contented aura are very noticeable."
4. Dreams and visions: over 25% said that dreams and visions were decisive
in them finding Christ. Jesus very frequently appears to Moslems as a white
figure:
- One believer from Guinea recounts the dream of a figure in a white robe,
calling the man to come to Him. In a related dream, he recalls that the
same figure's arms were extended, beckoning him. He now knows that the
figure was Christ.
- A convert from the Middle East who had been afflicted with severe
headaches was lying on his bed after having prayed for his sick son. A man
with a beautiful, peaceful face appeared. Dressed in white, the figure
walked to the head of the man's bed and touched him three times on the
head. The next morning his headaches were gone. His son, too, was fully
healed.
- A West African man had a clear vision of a devout Moslem in hell and a
poor Christian, who had been unable to give alms, in heaven. A voice
explained to him that the difference was belief in Jesus.
5. Supernatural experiences: a number of ex-Moslems had supernatural
experiences which were decisive in them finding Christ. An Egyptian Moslem
was reading the gospels, and had just reached Luke 3 when a strong wind
entered the room, and a voice said "I am Jesus Christ, whom you hate. I am
the Lord you are seeking." "I cried and cried, and decided to follow Jesus
that day," he remembers.
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