THE PASTOR’S ALLIANCE FOR ISRAEL & AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM

(“BE LIKE BONHOEFFER”)

THE PURPOSE

The purpose of “The Pastor’s Alliance For Israel and Against Anti-Semitism” is not only to stand together in support of Israel which is on the frontlines of ideologies, in an existential fight against those who seek the destruction of Western Civilization - but also to stand against all forms of anti-Semitism- purposed instead to embody and promote truth, courage, love, respect and the intrinsic value of every human being.

THE CONTEXT

The context of our times is seeped with a growing trend of antisemitism throughout the world, as many of our Jewish friends feel increasingly vulnerable and under threat—even to the point of being killed. 

At no time in recent history has anti-Jewish sentiment been more serious than since the harrowing days of the Holocaust, when the lives of six million Jews ended in their murder.

On October 7th, 2023 – militias of Hamas terrorists entered Israel, raping, torturing and slaughtering 1,200 Israeli civilians as well as a few foreign nationals and kidnapped 250 men, women, elderly citizens and infants. In its aftermath, throughout American college campuses, Jewish students have been harassed, and anti-Israel protests have continuously called for Jewish genocide. Defying all reason, logic and sanity, this deranged support and adoration of a human massacre is gaining momentum. 

Anti-Semitism, often called the longest hatred in human history, is now raising its head in the form of Anti-Zionism which is the promotion of the idea that the land of Israel is not the historic and ancestral home of the Jewish people. This lie is the fertilizer of the false narrative that Israel is “the oppressor” in “occupied Arab land,” feeding the delusion that murder and rape against Jews is a justified response. Anti-Zionism is nothing more than the call for the destruction of the State of Israel- which, essentially, means all Jews, even those who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah.

In America, we are witnessing the fusion of Marxism and Islamic extremism with their common goal to destroy western civilization founded on Judeo/ Christian heritage, values and worldview.

THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITY

As Christian leaders we cannot, not, see what we are seeing or pretend it isn’t real! We believe that remaining silent, in the face of evil, which by nature is similar to a desensitizing cancer which destroys, is tantamount to being be complicit. Or as German Pastor Dietrich Bonheiffer, who opposed the evil of Hitler and the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless.” The church today must not make the same mistakes that many in the German church made during the rise of Nazism which began overtly isolating and targeting Jews.

Therefore, we call on every follower of Jesus throughout California (and the entire world) to commit to praying for and protecting all Jews in order to fight against the insanity and demonic delusion of anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, radical Islamism, replacement theology and other attacks on Israel and the Jewish people, as we seek to bring forth the truth!

A CHRISTIAN’S IDENTITY

As Christians, we believe that while the modern State of Israel is a secular, democratic country, with flaws, similar to any other democracy in the world, every Christian must not lose sight of God’s promises to Israel and a Christian’s relationship and responsibility to Israel.

We believe that God promised to preserve His ancient people—as a distinct people—regardless of their sin, and the modern State of Israel is part of that preservation. (Jeremiah 31:35–37)

We believe in the Biblical promises that God gave the land of Israel, specifically to the Jewish people, and that in fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures, God is behind Israel’s regathering in the land of Israel after nearly 2,000 years of dispersion. God keeps His promises and cannot cancel His character or plans. 

We believe that standing with Israel, today, means standing with the unfolding plan of God in preserving Israel’s existence. Zionism is the belief that Jews have a right to a national home in Israel! Those who try to destroy Israel are in opposition to the very purposes of God (1 Chron. 16:17-18; Ez. 26:24; Romans 9:1-5; Joel 3). 

We believe that when God called Abram to be the father of His chosen people (Genesis 12:1–3), Satan made Jewish people the target of his fury. The evil one has tried to eradicate the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in every age and in endless ways to prevent God from using Israel as His instrument of redemption and blessing through the Jewish Messiah. We cannot view antisemitism merely as nationalistic, political, or ethnic hatred but rather as a cosmological effort on the part of the devil to destroy Jewish people and disrupt and derail the plan of God

We believe that if we lose our story, which is rooted in the unfolding plan of God in and through Israel, connected to the Messiah of Israel, we lose our identity. Jesus said in the context of a Passover Seder, “Do this in remembrance of me …” At the heart of the Christian faith is the belief in the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31 that was promised to Israel and inaugurated by the death of Jesus on the cross and celebrated today in what is known as Communion or the Lord’s Supper. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Cor. 11:26)

We believe that every promise God gave to Israel, through Abraham, David and the prophets, will be fulfilled when the Messiah establishes His Kingdom in Jerusalem, impacting the world. 

We believe that the reality of Israel cannot be separated from the person and work of Jesus: past, present and future!

THE COMMITMENT & PLEDGE

Our commitment is to partner with the Jewish community in order to fight against the ignorance and madness of anti-Semitism. There is no greater friend of sinners, of mankind, or of Israel — than Jesus.

Our commitment is to pray for Jerusalem’s peace: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you” (Ps. 122:6). And to pray that Jerusalem will become the praise of all the earth: “And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth” (Is. 62:6-7). 

Our commitment is to study the whole Bible (i.e. the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament) which reveals God’s redemptive plan from eternity past to eternity future. A plan promised to, and unfolding through, Israel and the Messiah of Israel. A plan promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) into which the nations have been invited!

Our commitment is to make clear that a part of God’s judgement of the nations will involve how they treated Israel. Jesus said, “If you have done it to least of these my brethren you have done it unto me!” (Matthew 25:40-45) 

Our commitment is to make known that the “Christian faith” sprang forth from the Hebrew Scriptures and from the City of Jerusalem.

Our commitment is to all Jewish lives, which include Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah. Afterall, the authors of the New Testament were Jews who believed Jesus is the Messiah.

Our commitment is to make known that a “Christian” is a follower of the Messiah of Israel, YESHUA - the promised Davidic King of Israel, who is the Savior of the world! The one who gave His life on the cross for the sins of the world, on Passover (Nisan 14), and resurrected on the third day and is coming again to reign in Jerusalem.

By Pastor Greg Denham (C)