1. What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2. Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.Romans 3:1-2 Old Testament scriptures

 Closest to Christianity  Forerunner of Christianity  Old Testament Religion - people of Abraham  The Oldest World Religion  Smallest in number

Judaism is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people. “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11

Abraham - Gen. 12:1-3  Abram to Abraham  Isaac  Jacob and Esau  Jacob to Israel - 12 sons  Israelites - the nation

Israelites - Received a law and a land  Land of Egypt - slaves  Moses deliverer  Law at Mt. Sinai  40 years of wandering  Entered the promised land

Mt. Sinai Promised Land

Israelites - In the land of promise  Judges to rule  Kings years - Saul, David, Solomon  Divided Kingdom - Israel & Judah  Judah - Babylonian captivity - 70 years  Returned to homeland - rebuilt the Temple

Ancient Historical events  Alexander the Great  Antiochus Epiphanes IV  Independent until Pompey  Jews rebelled against Rome A.D. 66  Many fled to other countries

Modern Historical events  Many returned in 1917 at Balfour Declaration  After WW II - Jews sought a homeland  War between Jews and Arabs  UN allowed partition of Palestine  Modern Israel established as a nation

Their Beliefs No official creed “this world” Three Major Divisions 1.Orthodox Jews 2. Reform Jews 3. Conservative Two Goals Stamp out Christianity Jews chosen people Discredit the Bible

Torah First 5 books - Pentateuch Talmud Mishnah Gemara

 Cosmos  Deity  Man  Man’s Plight  Salvation  Conduct  Destiny

 Cosmos World Created by God - Gen. 1 & 2  Deity One God - Yahweh  Man Created by Yahweh One life to obey or disobey

 Man’s Plight - sin is cause of trouble  Salvation Linked to obedience  Conduct Ethical conduct - to please Yahweh  Destiny God will restore their nation

Still looking for the Messiah Ignore the Prophecies Acts 3: quote from Deut. 18:15-19 Rom.10:4 “Christ is the end of the law…” Col. 2:14 Law taken away when Christ died

Do not pray through Jesus Pray directly to God 1 Tim.2:5 “for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Col. 3:17 - giving thanks to God by him

Deny inspiration of the N.T. Joel 2:28 - Acts 2:16-17 Zech. 12:10 - Acts 2:36-38 Isa. 2:2-3 - Acts 2 on Pentecost

God promised Abraham and his family Joshua 21:43 “So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.”

A religion and foundation of nation of Israel America supports Modern nation of Israel Premillennialism - the idea that Christ will some day return to Jerusalem and rule the world from David’s throne

And Christianity are mutually exclusive !!! If Judaism is true:  The Messiah has not come  The New Testament is a lie  Jesus was an imposter  Christianity is a fraud  Jesus blood was shed for nothing  Our sins are unforgiven  We are without Hope and without God

And Christianity are mutually exclusive !!! If Christianity is true:  The Bible makes perfect sense  Prophecy has been fulfilled  Old Covenant replaced by New  Non-Jewish people do have hope  Our sins can be forgiven  We have hope of a home in heaven

Is the way of Salvation ! All other religions are false.

Is the way of Salvation ! All other religions are false. “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening May 15, 2011