When a pastor converts to Islam or Atheism

Q: In Indonesia, there's this viral case about an elder from a Presbyterian church here, along with his wife, who converted to Islam and resigned from his position a few weeks ago. The video of the conversion process, which lasted over 5 hours, doesn't contain any debates but rather his reasons for leaving Christianity (the video is in Indonesian and posted by the Muslim who converted him).

One of this former elder's doubts was something like this: "God's Word cannot be diminished or added to, but the Bibles in different churches have different numbers of books; some have 66, some 73, and the Greek Orthodox and Ethiopian ones have even more. How can this be considered a holy book?"

He also mentioned verses that he believed were added, like Matthew 28:19, which he claimed was inserted or added (I've heard this accusation before, though I can't agree with it, because for me, a piece of data or theory isn't necessarily and cannot immediately become 100% fact).

These points have become a tool for attacking us Christians in Indonesia, as evidenced by the massive amount of accusatory videos circulating on social media. How do we answer these accusations? Or at least, how do we address the two points I mentioned?

English isn't my mother language. Thanks.

A: The Muslims are either exploiting their own ignorance [unless intentionally wickedly using Taqiyya] or exploiting the ignorance of those who go to church without having a solid background in the canon of Scripture and Apologetics.

✅The differences in Bible versions and Bibles across different sects (the Orthodox, Ethiopian, Catholic, and Christian churches) requires a study of the history of the English Bible. Though the generally accepted one is the 66 books because others contains Apocryphal writings that teach doctrines that are not consistent with the teachings of the Prophets and Apostles. The other books were also not referenced or cited by Jesus and his disciples during their earthly ministries.

✅The argument presented by the Muslims can also be used against the Quran as there are about 30 different Quran. You can verify this online [e.g We have the Welsh and Hafs Quran that read different in several surahs]. 

Check the videos of Dr Jay Smith, Sam Shamoun, David Wood, and Godlogic on YouTube for more on the different Quran.

You can also watch the following videos to understand the history of the English Bible and the differences.

A lamp in the Dark

Tares among Wheat

Bridge to Babylon by Chris Pinto.

Check out these & related Books

✅God wrote only one book by James Ray

✅New Age Bible versions by Gail riplinger

✅Which Bible would Jesus use? By Jack McElroy 

✅Missing in Modern Bible by Jack Moorman

✅Which Bible by David Otis

✅Hidden History of the English scriptures by Gail riplinger 

✅Look what’s Missing by David W. Daniel

The term " the Great Commission" heading was added to the bible about 200 years ago- but so were most major headings used in the bible. the verse itself is in the oldest manuscripts available, which date back to the 2nd century AD. 

On the first argument there is one Bible, 66 books, written by 44 authors over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages with one complete and over arching narrative, inspired by the Holy Dpirit that is complete to thoroughly to equip us for every good work and everything we need for a Godly life. The additional books also known as the apocrypha where never quoted from by Jesus in the for gospels, or the apostles in their letters. Therefore may or may not be good for learning, so the older churches of Catholicism- which in my opinion is also a cult- and orthodox will include them. But they are not for building of God's church, the bride of Christ. Many are Gnostic in teaching which is a cult of Christianity that believed in finding salvation through secret teachings rather than Christ and therefore are not from the Holy Spirit which teaches one Gospel. Christ crucified. 

Now the reason there is only one Quran today is because Caliph Uthman ibn Affan ordered the destruction of all other versions of the Quran after establishing an official version of the Quran, known as the Uthmanic codex. not Holy Scripture.

The Koran claims to be a holy book on the basis that every copy is the same, and that it has not changed since its writing. These claims are a carefully crafted man-made deception.

The reason all copies of the Koran are the same, is because one of the successors of Mohammed realized that there were many copies and pieces and versions of the Koran. HE decided/ordered one version to be held as correct, and ordered all other versions destroyed. This does not reveal a holy quality; rather, it reveals a forced manufacturing.
[reference here].

Islam had multiple diff versions of text of Koran. Christianity has 1, and only had one

Muslims got rid of the other (diff) versions and only allowed it in 1 language [thus why they constantly say (false claim) that you have to learn Arabic to understand it]. We Christians have one Holy Book from God that hasn't changed, but has been faithfully translated rightly in over 3,000 languages so that the world can know God and the truth.

⭐️I'm not sure how a Muslim could argue their claim [of them having only 1 version] with a straight face since Islam adds the Koran (or substitutes it) to God's actual word, [which was given in full to the world 600 years before Islam began]. Even with their own book telling them to believe the Bible. 

There loads of info here that can be used to help reach muslims with truth. Either directing to the page or to indiv links. It's helpful for Believers education too. 

Your news shows far too few in the world [esp in simpleton nations and tribes] have too many people in the pulpit who shouldn't be, as they lack of not just a deep theology knowledge/degree from a reputable bible school for pastors [esp outside the West] today showing the need for it (prior to being ordained, and vetting well before ordination), but also serious lack in educating these folk in apologetics and Scripture long before they take any pastoral position. This is why there need to be some Board that has requirements and does vetting on their knowledge of Faith "Essentials" and their apologetic knowledge [they need to know how to answer these top 200 faq issues well] in those nations well before they should be allowed to pastor. Same needs to be said of all pastors in the West too. And they need to know the biblical Gospel well so they can not only preach properly but share it in their community. If their faith is solidified there's no rocking or wrecking it. Also theres many "pastors" who aren't even saved who are in the pulpit and that leads to situations like this. If the congregants are educated in all these things, it ensures the new & weak congregants faith isn't dashed, esp. in churches where something like this [a false pastor is revealed] happens. With internet usage practically normal globally now, everyone has access to these answers in a general search online and at apologetic websites. Everyone can find these answers. 

Thus it matters not if he went and joined a false religion or became atheist, but that he hadn't the basic knowledge needed to refute the claims made by others. Instead if believing God and going to other pastors around him to work through areas he lacked knowledge of, he just went his own way and listened to muslomic demons who successfully lured a simpleton into their demonic religion. 

To prevent his congregants faith being dashed, I hope that church had more than one pastor and some elders, and nearby churches leadership is stepping in to properly biblically address it and these faqs. It shows how important  it is to have multiple pastors at a church, as they keep each other accountable [& can educate/remove someone in leadership whose not saved], but can also see the red flags well and quickly (as they  wirk & live intimately with them). I feel sorry for his wife (whom he duped and who has chosen to follow him into a demonic religion), and the concern over his kids; may God lead them to cling to Christ & truth.

Today we need to educate our church congregants well with these top issues and ensure they understand the Gospel properly. If we do, more than half the battle is won for their souls, all that's leftbis for them to be saved and stidy/obey the Word of God.

Here's evangelism resources to help you, and links to apologetics websites and yt channel playlists such as "Cold case Christianity" and "Stand to Reason" str.org to help you get Equipped for the task as you obey the Great Commission. 

What this "news" has done, has made gospel conversations available across Indonesia (and anywhere else where people hear of it and bring it up to Christians). It's a blessing from God. As, you can do outreach to educate & plant seeds to people both online and in person. You can address the technical question with apologetics, swing...to ask "why has every religion in the world added Jesus of Israel to their religious beliefs?(1) Clearly theres something world changing about him for the whole world to embrace him."

Note that we have to look at what Jesus said and his followers taught to know the true version of who He is and what his mission was and accomplished. Also note after that, to them that "not everyone who claims to be a believer is", show in Scripture in Matt how Jesus even said so, and explain how "there's false preachers and unsaved pastors in churches today who have wormed their way in for a job but have not been converted by God." Ask them "if they have ever heard the Gospel before?", and run them through it. Or share it and ask "if theyve ever understood it so clearly before?"... then call them to obey it. Pray God saves them in Christ. 

(1) J Warner Wallace did good job of showing this [about Jesus and the Scriptures & how wirld religions added Him to their beliefs], both in his books and videos, which you can access here. The videos are free, the kindle book is cheap, and he chops up these truths into bite sized answers sharable from his YouTube channel playlists. 

As to the "Missing verses" they aren't missing. They weren't in the originals, a couple rogue but probably well meaning scribes, [out of the many thousands of copiests over time; 2,000 yrs] added to Scripture(2) as they felt the endings of Scripture books, like Mark's gospel, were too abrupt or felt something was left off. They took pieces of other areas of Scripture to add clarity to endings. However GOD meant for the Gospels to end how they did. In one instance it appears one had heard a story of something that happened and felt it should be added to Scripture, but we've no idea if that was rumor or truth but God himself didn't out it in Scripture so it shouldn't be there. Again, God wrote the 66 books through those godly men of Bible times and so the Word is true, but those additions were not God ordained. Thus Modern translators left those verses out since they were never to be in there. 

Share Scripture verses when you have those conversations. Memorize them so you can share and show in Scripture. 

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Remember that Jesus said in John 14:6 :

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Going to Islam is not the truth the way or the life.

Remember that many will be deceived by others. If the Holy Spirit lives in you the nothing can separate you from Christ. He had no Holy Spirit living in him. The Bible predicts all of this. God Almighty has told us what will happen and the wrath of GOD is upon him and all who don’t believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. And rememver, we are called "to have an answer for the hope that lays in us" and "be an approved workman who can rightly divide the Word", as well as "have patience and in gentleness correct people's error."

Be glad such opportunity came up for conversations in your nation, be excited that God is "moving" among people there.(3) 

God will use it not only to educate the lost and plant seeds, but to lead people to salvation. But also to help strengthen and solidify the faith of believers in churches across the nation by learning these apologetical answers and igniting evangelism training and outreach into communitys to continue to further the Gospel. 

Above all, Jesus Christ surpasses other religious leaders in all ways;

👉His Personal (He is God with us)

👉His Preaching / Teaching of truth

👉His Provision (He gives peace of eternal destination, he gives eternal life, he offers forgiveness and gives hope)

👉His Morality (he is without sin)

👉His Message (The Bible)

God bless

Footnote

(2) those scribes should never have done that, and has lead to causing confusion and dashing some weak believers faith over it. It has enabled us to show the world God's Word hasn't changed, and remind people that God will hold accountable those who alter His Word, just as those who touched the Ark of the Covenant were judged and died for their arrogance and thinking they were above God. 

(3) this means... 

"God is guiding the events unfolding there."

"God's hand is evident in what's happening."

"God's spirit is stirring things up there."

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