According to a recent Gallup survey, the number of Americans who believe the Bible is the actual, literal Word of God is at an all-time low. Conducted in May 2022, this survey found that only 20 percent of American adults believe the Bible is God’s authoritative Word. Forty-nine percent believe it is God’s inspired Word but should not necessarily be taken literally, and a significant 29 percent believe the Bible is nothing more than an ancient book of fables.
Digging deeper, we see other disturbing, negative global trends regarding the Bible, church attendance, and belief in God and Jesus. This situation is no coincidence! It causes concern when people fail to view the Bible as God’s literal Word. Do they truly understand and believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ? The apostle Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, men will have “a form of godliness but deny its power” (2 Tim. 3:5). The further people move away from believing in the truth of God’s Word, the more they shape God and His Son, Jesus, into their own images.
The Lord has tasked us at The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry to teach the whole counsel of God literally; and with your prayers and gifts, we will faithfully continue to proclaim the truth through our workers in more than 15 countries—and worldwide on the Internet. This is what we have been doing since our inception 85 years ago, and I’m asking you for your continued partnership so, together, we can declare the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
A recent Barna Group survey of 25,000 teenagers (ages 13 to 17) around the globe is alarming. It found that among those claiming to be Christians, only 61 percent believe Jesus was crucified; only 50 percent believe He was resurrected from the dead, and not even half (44 percent) believe Jesus was God in human form. Barna reported that, even among “Bible-engaged Christian teens, more than one in four perceive Jesus simply as a prophet of God.” A widespread failure to believe the core tenets of the Christian faith is becoming apparent.
Israel and the Jewish People Still Matter to God
For too long, the church has been turning away from studying God’s plan for the ages, revealed in prophecy, and has been softening the gospel. Look at what it has produced! Too many people no longer believe the Bible is God’s reliable word to man.
You and I know that studying only part of God’s Word as well as avoiding difficult passages leads to biblical illiteracy. Many don’t understand the Old Testament and God’s relationship to Israel and the Jewish people. As a result, they ignore prophecy that speaks of God restoring Israel and fail to understand that Jewish people are back in the land of Israel by God’s design. It’s part of His unfolding, eternal plan.
It’s Time for a Resolution
This year, we need a heartfelt, God-inspired resolution to take God at His Word. Everything we need for life and godliness lies within the pages of our Bibles. The church needs to return to in-depth Bible study and open its eyes to prophecy, just as Jesus Christ consistently used prophetic passages to open the eyes of His followers.
At The Friends of Israel (FOI), we resolve to reach more people, teaching as Jesus taught, to bring biblical truth to the world. Our FOI field workers and staff minister, teach, write, record, disciple, shepherd, pray, preach, and share the entire gospel with everyone the Lord puts in our path. Through your prayers and gifts to this work, the Lord is using you to bring His Word to His people in new and exciting ways. You are bringing biblical truth to many people the world over through print, video, and podcasts. The new FOI video studio is being built, and new teaching materials are in the works. Your support also makes it possible to reach more pastors. Last year, we took pastors to Jewish communities in the United States and Israel, where they enjoyed firsthand experiences that broadened their ministry knowledge and deepened their love and understanding of the Jewish people. This year, we are committed to reaching more pastors and lay leaders because we know that doing so better equips them to illuminate God’s Word to their people in the pews.
Through your prayers and financial support, you can join us in this resolve to reach more people with God’s Word, which is able to make many “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15).
Every Blessing In Christ
Jim Showers
Executive Director/President
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
PS- Recent surveys tell us that fewer people are choosing to believe in God and His Word. The trend is troubling, but you can RESOLVE to help turn this around. Your prayers and financial support enable more people to hear the Word preached in more than 15 countries around the world.
Thank you for standing with FOI in these climactic days in which we live!
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