Prophet David Rauf, formerly known as Idrissu Abdul-Rauf, has recounted what he describes as a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ that transformed him from a Muslim who once mocked Christianity into a preacher of the Gospel.
Reflecting on 16 years of his Christian faith, Prophet Rauf said his conversion was not the result of an attempt to find another religion, but what he described as a personal encounter with Jesus Christ on April 13, 2010.
“I was a Muslim. I mocked Jesus. Then Jesus came to me,” he wrote in a personal testimony shared days ago.
According to him, before his conversion, he viewed religion largely as a system of prayers, rules, observances and belonging.
He said he was particularly critical of Christian beliefs about Jesus, arguing that Christ was a prophet but not the Saviour Christians professed Him to be.
“I wasn’t looking for Jesus. In fact, I had spoken against Him. I mocked Him. I rejected what Christians believed about Him,” he recalled.
He said his position changed dramatically following what he described as an encounter with Jesus.
“That encounter destroyed my argument. He came Himself,” he said.
For Prophet Rauf, that experience marked the beginning of what he now describes as a personal relationship with Christ rather than merely an adherence to a religious system.
“Christianity is more than a religion. It is a relationship,” he said, adding that his conviction about Jesus has remained unchanged after 16 years.
‘Don’t judge Jesus by His representatives’
One of the central messages in Prophet Rauf’s testimony is directed at people who have become disillusioned with Christianity because of the conduct of some Christians, pastors or religious institutions.
He acknowledged that Christians can fail, religious institutions can make mistakes and some pastors and prophets can deceive or mistreat people.
But, he argued, such failures should not become the basis for judging Jesus Christ.
“People can disappoint you. Religious institutions can make mistakes. Christians can misrepresent Christ. Pastors and prophets can scam you and mistreat you,” he said.
“But please, never judge Jesus by somebody who represented Him badly. Meet Him for yourself.”
That message, he said, is particularly important in an era in which the conduct of some religious leaders can make people question Christianity itself.
His testimony therefore extends beyond recounting his own conversion. He is urging people who are sceptical about Christianity to separate Christ from the imperfections of His followers and seek a personal understanding of Him.
“To the person who doesn’t believe: I understand. There was a time I didn’t either,” he said.
A message to those born into Christianity
Prophet Rauf also directed a challenge at Christians who were raised in the faith, warning them against becoming so accustomed to Christianity that they lose sight of the person at the centre of their faith.
“Please don’t become familiar with your Jesus,” he urged.
He said people who grew up attending church, singing Christian songs and hearing the name of Jesus from childhood could easily take their faith for granted.
“You grew up hearing ‘Jesus.’ You sang about Him in Sunday school. You heard His name every Sunday,” he wrote.
“You became so accustomed to Christianity that what is extraordinary started feeling ordinary.”
For him, Christianity should not be reduced to church attendance, Sunday worship, religious titles or dependence on a pastor.
“Know Him beyond church. Know Him beyond Sunday. Know Him beyond your pastor. Know Him beyond religion,” he urged.
‘I didn’t just choose him. He came for me’
Prophet Rauf said the greatest evidence of his Christian faith is neither his ministry, material possessions nor the crowds that may follow him, but what he describes as his personal experience of Jesus Christ.
“Please don’t show me the cars. Don’t show me houses. Don’t show me crowds, churches, titles or platforms,” he said.
“Don’t even tell me that becoming a prophet is proof that Jesus is real. My evidence is Jesus Himself.”
His remarks come against the backdrop of his public ministry and philanthropic activities, including the recent presentation of cars to some members of his church.
But in his testimony, he deliberately separates such material manifestations from the foundation of his faith.
He said his conviction about Christ does not rest on what Christianity has given him materially or on the success of his ministry.
“I am proud of Jesus because I know Him,” he declared.
Reflecting on the contrast between his former position and his present faith, he said: “Sixteen years ago, I mocked Him. Today, I preach Him. Sixteen years ago, I rejected Him. Today, my life belongs to Him.”
A testimony aimed at seekers
Prophet Rauf’s account ultimately presents his conversion as an invitation to people who are either searching for faith, struggling to believe or questioning Christianity because of the behaviour of Christians.
He said he understands the doubts of those who do not believe because he once occupied the same position.
His appeal is that people should seek Christ personally rather than accepting or rejecting Christianity solely on the basis of what they have seen from Christians or religious leaders.
“Don’t inherit Christianity. Encounter Jesus,” he said.
He also urged Christians not to exchange their relationship with Christ for material possessions, fame or worldly success.
For him, the central lesson of his 16-year journey is that faith must ultimately become personal.
He concluded his testimony with what he described as the message he wants associated with his life:
“I met Jesus. I knew Jesus. I loved Jesus. And I told my generation that He is real.”
Sixteen years after the encounter he says changed his life, Prophet Rauf maintains that his conviction has not changed.
“Jesus Christ is real,” he said.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
