INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–With the theme “For Zion’s Sake I Will Not Be Silent,” members of the Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship will explore the idea in Romans 1:16 that the Gospel is intended “primarily for the Jew and then for the Greek” at their June 11-12 meeting in Indianapolis.
Steve Barack, president of the SBMF and rabbi at B’nai Ohr Beth Tefilah, a Messianic fellowship in Wheeling, Ill., said the theme of the meeting is scriptural, based on Isaiah 62.
“It’s for the sake of the hope of Israel,” he said.
“For the sake of the children of Zion we should indeed concern ourselves for the Jewish people around the world, that they come to the saving knowledge of the Jewish Jesus, the Messiah, and that they have a fullness and rich life within that understanding — not sacrificing their Jewishness but becoming filled with the fullness of the trinity of God,” Barack said.
David Allen, dean-elect of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s theology school in Fort Worth, Texas, will be the meeting’s featured speaker.
“I must tell you that if you haven’t heard him teach you are impoverished. He’s one of the classic guys around,” Barack said. “He’s considered by many to be one of the top theologians on the understanding on the Book of Hebrews. He’s going to be sharing his knowledge with us, and we’re looking forward to it with great fervency.” Allen, prior to his selection as SWBTS theology school dean April 6, has been the W.A. Criswell chair for expository preaching at Criswell College and pastor of MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church in Irving, Texas. He also is a former chairman of Southwestern’s trustees.
The SBMF meeting will begin with a Shabbat service at 7 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Bridgeport Central Baptist Church.
The Saturday morning session at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Ballrooms 7 & 8, June 12 will begin at 8:30 a.m., the afternoon session at 1:30 p.m. and the evening session business meeting at 7 p.m.
Other speakers will include Barack; Jim Sibley, coordinator for Jewish ministries for the North American Mission Board; and Jorge Sedaca, language ministries leader for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan.
Discussion issues will include Jewish evangelism, messianic congregational life, the role of Israel and the debate about who killed Christ.
Membership is open to anyone in the Southern Baptist Convention with a particular concern for ministry to Jews.
For more information, contact David Hecht at [email protected].
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