10.  Can a person from a Gentile background witness effectively to a Jewish person? 

The answer is an emphatic yes.  In fact, many within the unsaved Jewish community who have seriously studied why Jewish people become believers in Jesus have concluded, that Gentile believers are one of the most serious threats.  However, after traveling as much as I do, and listening to certain comments that are made to me, I have concluded that most Gentile believers feel they would not be very effective when witnessing to the average Jewish person.  Most are fearful that the Jewish person knows much more about the Bible than they do.  In some cases with Orthodox Jews they do have a knowledge of the Bible, but so do you, if you have been saved for some time.  What are some things that will help in your witnessing to Jewish people?

1. Show them true Christian love.  This cannot be overestimated.  This is not what they get from the average Gentile who is unsaved, anymore than a Gentile would get from an unsaved Jewish person.  Remember, the Bible talks about a middle wall of partition that exists between the unsaved Jewish person and Gentile.

Eph. 2:14 – “For He Himself is our Peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”

2. Express sincere appreciation.  According to the Scriptures, Gentile believers are sharing in the spiritual blessing that God promised to Israel.  We read of this in Romans 15.

Rom. 15:27 – “Yes, they (Gentile believers) were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them (Jewish people).  For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.”

Gentile believers have benefited spiritually as a result of the Jewish people.  From your heart you can express this to your Jewish friend.  You could perhaps say something like this, ” I’ve never told you this, but I really appreciate your people.  So many of the blessings that I have received have come to me through the Jewish people.  My Bible (Rom. 3:1-2), my Savior (Rom 9:3-5), my salvation, (Rom. 11:11) and many other things, and I just want you to know that I thank God for the nation of Israel.”

3. Use proper terminology.  Certain words that are used while witnessing can be unnecessarily offensive and cause walls to go up.  Using the right words can make a big difference.

DO SAY:	DON’T SAY:
Messiah	Christ
Believer	Christian
Return to God	Convert

There are others as well, but these are three of the most important.  The word “Christ” brings to mind the persecutions that Jewish people have endured in the name of Christ.  To the Jewish person, anyone who is not Jewish or a Muslim is a Christian.  In their thinking, all Gentiles are Christians.  We know this is not so, but they don’t.  To them, Hitler was a Christian.  The word, “convert” puts a false concept in their minds.  They already think that it is impossible for a Jewish person to believe in Jesus and still be Jewish.  This word only reinforces this mistaken idea.  In their thinking, to convert means to give up anything that pertains to their being Jewish.  Just these ideas alone will greatly enhance your witnessing.  Keep it up for His glory.