November 2009

Heaven or Hell by Dr. Pat

Stephen’s search for the truth started when his uncle died and he wondered if his uncle was in heaven or hell.  The only advice the Muslim elders could give him was that only God can know.  Stephen knew the Koran states that believers go to heaven, but Stephen wondered who the believers were; maybe they were Muslims, Jews and Christians.  But the Koran also states the Jews and Christians are sinful, that only Muslims are the “good believers.”  So, he wondered if the Muslims were the only ones to go to heaven.  Stephen became an atheist as a result of the unanswered questions and contradictions he found in the Koran.

Then Stephen met Frank, a Christian who was not practicing his faith. Frank told him if you believe in Jesus Christ and His resurrection you will go to heaven, implying Stephen will go to hell.  Stephen said, “Convince me.”  Frank said he felt he was not qualified, but he would introduce Stephen to a deacon of his church. Stephen found the teachings of the deacon to be hard to understand because they were so different from what he knew.  He went to the church for 8 months but still could not understand.  He particularly had trouble understanding the sacraments.  Stephen told the deacon about his confusion. The deacon brought him to members of a worldwide ministry organization and they began to disciple him.

Stephen did not have any problems understanding the miracles or that Jesus died for him.  But, he had questions about the Bible, had it been changed or corrupted?  So, the ministry gave him a copy of the book “More than a Carpenter” by Josh McDowell.  After reading the book what struck him was, “Who would die for a lie?”  Stephen believed the disciples lived with Jesus and the Bible was not a lie.  He became a Christian and was baptized.   

Where Stephen lives, tribes are very important as they govern their communities.  Each tribe has its own doctrine, rules of conduct and style of living.  Because of his conversion the entire tribe rejected him. They did not talk to him or associate with him at all. Stephen did not have a problem with the government because he was careful about evangelizing; he did it in his own quiet way and through the church.

Stephen’s mother and father have died and he has no relationship with his extended family.  He tried to change his ID papers from identifying him as a Muslim to identifying him as a Christian but was not successful.  He was told that if 300-500 Muslims who had become Christians would come forward in unity then Stephen could form a new tribe and change their papers but who would take the risk?  Even with the risk a community like this is starting to form in a neighboring country.

Please pray for:

Stephen to be used by God to help change many deceived hearts.