I need help Converting a Friend

[Micker]

I have a very close friend who up until recently has been Hindu. However in the past year or so he’s read much of the bible and come to understand the Christian way. However he wants to know why he can’t worship Jesus and God from the safety of his own home and why i believe that Church is the way to go. Can someone please help me know what to say on this issue. Also know that i dont’ have much help in converting people here since its Mississippi.

 

[Mike_Brick]

I have a very close friend who up until recently has been Hindu. However in the past year or so he’s read much of the bible and come to understand the Christian way. However he wants to know why he can’t worship Jesus and God from the safety of his own home and why i believe that Church is the way to go. Can someone please help me know what to say on this issue. Also know that i dont’ have much help in converting people here since its Mississippi.

A few things come to mind which are:

1. First from reason and logic. If your friend wanted to know more about, say anthropology, would he be better served by staying home in Mississippi even, and trying to learn more about that subject, or would he be better off surrounding himself with people already knowledgable of the subject after years of study from very knowledgable people, as well as others like him that are seekers of the truths of anthropology withwhom he can interact? You know the answer and he does too.
2. In Holy Scripture we know Jesus called people to repent and believe in the Gospel and to come and follow Him. He didn’t call them to only learn more about Him, He wants us to follow Him. He also described us as His sheep and lambs, His flock, with Him as the Good Shepherd. Remember when He said as the Good Shepherd, He would find the lost sheep and bring them back to the flock. The flock is the Church, which is called “The Body of Christ”, with all the various and different parts functioning as one Body, His. After the resurrection, the Apostles traveled far and wide forming communities to love and serve the Messiah, not converting individuals who lived their faith alone.
3. And finally, with him worshiping alone, how is he to share in the Heavenly Banquet, the Eucharist, where Jesus the Bridegroom described in the New Testament actually enters us, the Church which is also described as the Bride of Christ, and us individually in that most holy gift of the Real Presence of God Himself. Without the community he only has his thoughts, he can’t have the real presence of Christ Himself.

Invite him to come inside where he will be welcomed as a brother and fellow pilgrim seeking the Truth, which is someone, not some thing, and that is Jesus.

God Bless You and Your Friend

 

[po18guy]

The New Testament contains the Gospel, the good news. Once understood and appreciated, it cannot be held. It has value only if given away. Once you are a member of the Body of Christ, your family includes every validly baptized Christian on earth. Every mass is a family reunion as well as a spiritual feast.

As such, the Gospel is to be shared with all of humanity, and true brotherhood occurs. Christianity is not a private religion, other than during prayers behind closed doors. It must be open and public, your joy on display so that those who have never heard the WORD will see it’s goodness.

Blessings and Christ’s peace to you and your friend.

 

[ClaireS]

You could use the gospels to show your friend how Jesus gathered around himself the apostles and formed them into a community. When He sent out the 72 disciples he did so in teams of two. He told the 12 to wait in Jerusalem together after his ascension for the Holy Spirit to come. He told Peter that He was forming a church, a people or community. Paul talks about them as a body, each being important and essential to each other; their gifts are meant to build up each other. Someone could admire Jesus’ teachings and try to live by them and that would be admirable. But if you accept Jesus you have to do things His way and He calls us not only to have a personal relationship with Him but also to be part of His church.

 

[DJgang]

The best thing for you to do is live a very devout Catholic life and show your friend God’s graces that you experience through the Sacraments…(which he can not get alone)

In God’s time…not yours, not your friends, only God’s time, your friend will convert.