The "reformed" murderer and is scientology Christian? :: Gospel Outreach Report: SOUTHAMPTON

Today I met two very different people. A "reformed" murderer and a man who believes in scientology, in this article I will answer the question, is scientology Christian?

A team of us (eight people) did another Gospel outreach in Southampton today (Friday). (an Open Air Mission outreach, headed up by Josh Williamson.)

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36

For the two hours we spent in Southampton today, it seemed like all of our team was constantly busy. From preaching, to conversation after conversation. I personally had several conversations, but two stood out the most.

The Scientologist.

Strangely, a gentleman stood in front of me like he had something to say. I had never met him before, but he spoke to me about trusting in and practicing Scientology.

What is Scientology?

Scientology is a modern religious movement founded in the 1950s by American author L. Ron Hubbard. It teaches that people are essentially spiritual beings (called thetans) who have lived through many past lives. Through a process called auditing, Scientologists seek to overcome negative influences from past experiences and achieve spiritual freedom. The movement is organised under the Church of Scientology, which operates worldwide.

Well-known Scientologists today

Some of the most famous members include Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, both long-time supporters of the church. Actress Elisabeth Moss is also publicly associated with Scientology.

Is Scientology Christian?

No. While Scientology presents itself as a religion, it is not Christian. Christianity centres on Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith. Scientology, on the

other hand, does not recognise Jesus as the unique Son of God or teach the Gospel message. Its beliefs and practices are entirely distinct from Christian doctrine.

How do you share the Gospel with someone in Scientology?

I can't give you an exact way to witness - every person is unique. This is the importance bathing your times like this in prayer. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. He is a strength in any weaknesses we have in these encounters.

It was difficult to speak with this man, who accused us of spreading lies. He seemed to have a delusion of grandeur - that he was able to help people when it comes to pain and suffering in life.

I asked him "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

To this he dismissed all things of the Bible false and that he only deals with evidence. I then started to reach into his conscience and explain to him that he has sinned against Almighty God and needs to deal with this bigger problem. That dealing with the pains in this life will pale in comparison to eternity in hell for his sins. I also attempted to explain that he has more than enough evidence for Jesus and the truths found in the Bible.

He claimed the Bible had lies inside, but when asked to tell me what those so call lies are, he quoted "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" Matthew 7:12 He claimed that following that was silly, especially if someone attacked you / was your enemy.

To which I responded in many ways, but primarily that we are all enemies of God if we do not have our sins forgiven. That we have a whole history of Christians who loved their enemies - who have been attacked by people - especially Christ Himself who said on the cross of His persecutors- "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34

In summary I said his objection to that scripture does not show a lie in the text, but rather that he simply has a problem with how God tells us to do things.

I pleaded with him to take a free Bible and read the whole of it for himself - the very fact it says he is wicked and hell deserving - he should investigate it to make sure he does not end up in hell. The man completely rejected everything and we parted in a civil manner.

I wonder, how would you witness to someone who is a Scientologist? Please comment below.

The "reformed" murderer

A man appeared at the table (pictured) who said he had been in jail for a very long time and recently was let out. He murdered a man. I won't go into the detail, but he knew and admitted his guilt.

He claimed while he was in prison, he went from not believing in God at all, to picking up a Bible and all of that changed. He said he has come out of prison as a new man.

It is tempting here to think this man must be saved - a new life, reading the Bible, confessing his wrong etc. But I wanted to find out exactly what had gone on. Not once in his conversation did he mention Jesus and what He did on the cross. So I said I would share with him something more amazing from the Bible that he might not realise.

I used his experience of the courtroom and his greater guilt to illustrate our bankrupt state before God. That no confession of sin or making ourselves right before Him will make any difference. I poured out on him the glorious reality of the gift of Jesus and how He offers to give us a gift - not of works - THE greatest gift - complete forgiveness of sins, paying our fine in His life blood on the cross, then rising again from the dead. I believe this man was listening and hopefully now knows a greater reality about the Bible that he may never have heard before. He had to leave and said he woud come back in 10 minutes. I gave him a tract and told him "this is in case you find you can't come back for any reason" - he never returned.

So what was that experience he had in jail if he was not born again? I have no idea. But it could just be the first step in the Lord drawing the prodigal up the road to meet with the Father.

Please take a moment to pray for those who were offered God's mercy found in Christ today - through the preaching, Gospel tracts and conversations.

To find out more about what went on today, you can read another report from Josh Williamson by clicking here.

For His Glory,

-Nigel, Printing Evangelism