Progress of the Work Among the Jews by F. C. GILBERT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 24, 1913

Progress of the Work Among the Jews

By F. C. GILBERT

We are glad to report to our brethren and sisters through the REVIEW that the Lord seems to be opening doors and hearts among the Jews for them to hear and to receive the gospel as it is in Jesus. We can see a great change coming over many of them with reference to the gospel of Christ, and we certainly believe that it is the Lord who is opening the way for the message to go among these people.

Thousands of Jews are becoming acquainted with Seventh-day Adventists, and we know that this is having its effect upon them. Many of them are expressing themselves with regard to us and to our work; and we feel certain that this influence will have its effect upon these people.

In correspondence with Jews about the matter of religious legislation, the writer received the following:—

“The somewhat oppressive Sunday laws are certainly a remnant of oppression; and as the Sabbath has been made for man, it is wrong to make it a means of oppression. The Founder of the Christian religion never said that majorities are right, because they happen to be majorities. And it seems to me that the Seventh-day Adventists are doing a good work.

“Thanking you in advance for any information you may send me, I am,

“Yours truly.”

Here is part of a letter from another business man:—

“I am very much pleased to know that a noble body of Christians, better known as Seventh-day Adventists, have come to the front with fundamental principles, and are interpreting the true teaching of the Bible whereby the great principle of Love thy neighbor as thyself could easily be carried out. May God bless them, and open the eyes of others that can not see.

“Thanking you for the kind information,

“Yours truly.”

Here is an extract from a letter from a Jewish rabbi:—

“Of course, as the people who still cling to the Biblical Sabbath day, your denomination is of especial interest to us, and we can not but believe that it lives up to the original Christian doctrines more than does any other Christian sect.

“Very faithfully yours.”

Many letters might be quoted from Jews who are taking an interest in the work being done by our people. For centuries the Christian religion has been such a terrible thing to the Jews that it

takes them a long time to get over the feeling engendered among them. But the Lord Jesus is able to break down all this barrier when the time comes for the work to be done for this people.

In the latest volume from the spirit of prophecy, “The Acts of the Apostles,” are found these words:—

“When this gospel shall be presented in its fulness to the Jews, many will accept Christ as the Messiah. Among Christian ministers there are only a few who feel called upon to labor for the Jewish people; but to those who have been often passed by, as well as to all others, the message of mercy and hope in Christ is to come.

“In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects his messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Saviour of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer. To them will be fulfilled the words, ‘As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’”

“Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful power the immutability of the law of God. The God of Israel will bring this to pass in our day. His arm is not shortened that it can not save. As his servants labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and despised, his salvation will be revealed.”—Pages 380, 381.

These are precious words, and they certainly ought to be a great comfort and to bring much cheer to the hearts of the people of God. For years many have felt that to work for the Jews seemed an impossibility; the prejudice was so strong and the bitterness so intense that the Jews would not listen. But God has said that many will listen, and a great many will accept Christ as their Messiah and Saviour. The reader will notice that the message to the people of God is that they must put forth special efforts for the Jews. And the Lord expects his people to do this. The Saviour would never expect to have his people do a work that could not be done. There is nothing impossible with God. We need to have faith in the promises of God.

There are influences at work to-day even among the Jews which make clear to the student of the Word of God how easily all this can be done. For instance, a short time ago a very prominent Jew, Prof. Israel Abrahams, of Cambridge University, England, teacher of Rabbinics, came to this country on a lecture tour. He traveled from New York to California, addressing tens of thousands of Jews, as well as many thousands of Gentiles. One of his principal addresses among his Jewish brethren was that they should study the New Testament. He urged this in many places in the land, and it is having its effect. The Jewish papers in this country are taking the matter up, and comments and criticisms, favorable and otherwise, are being heard on every side. Thousands of Jews who did not hear Mr. Abrahams are hearing and reading of the views now held by those discussing this suggestion of this Jewish professor, and it can not help making an impression upon the minds of many of the Jews.

It is admitted by many of the Jews that this idea of Mr. Abrahams is original, and many Jewish writers are asking what will be the effect upon the Jews if they accept this suggestion. A few years ago such a suggestion from a Jewish scholar would be unthinkable. The writer well remembers how he used to distribute the New Testament among the Jews, and how many of them felt toward its reception. Many of them still feel the same way. But when the Jewish leaders advocate the reading of this blessed Book, it will mean much in behalf of the gospel work among these people. Then as we, as a people, come in contact with them, and make plain to them that we live out the teachings of the New Testament by keeping the Sabbath and recognizing the obligation of the law of God, it will indeed be a revelation to them; it will be a resurrection to them; it will be as the dawn of a new creation. The principles of present truth should be kept before the Jewish people, that they may see there is a consistency in the teaching of the New Testament, and among the people who profess to follow it.

This testimony of the servant of the Lord also indicates that there are many Jews, like Paul, who will accept the truth. But Saul of Tarsus was a bitter persecutor. God opened his eyes to see, and his heart to believe. We must not get discouraged, then, if some of the Jews are bitter and feel disinclined to receive the truth. Let us do all we can to give it to them, and the Lord will do the rest.

F. C. GILBERT.