The Need For Apologetics Today

The Lexham Glossary of Theology Apologetics

apologetics — The discipline of offering a reasoned defense of a belief or particular point of view. It is often used in the context of defending a faith-based position against secular attacks.

Let’s start by saying He doesn’t need us to but He wants us to. Luke 19:40 “But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”” And I don’t know about you, but my mouth is too big and I don’t a rock beating me.

As we get ready to use Paul as an example today, and see how he defended his calling, his faith or doctrine and the gospel, I pray that you will also see that there is a need for apologetics in today’s world.

Yes, I hear your thoughts, I really don’t car what people think or say. And that’s true but there is a bigger picture here as well. When people question your call, your faith or even the gospel. Do we not realize that they have just opened a door for a true disciple (a true follower of Christ) to walk thru. For us to be able to “do the work of an evangelist”. TALK, PREACH...

Now we must make sure that we are able to defend and possibly help someone. In other words please make sure that you are rooted in the word yourself and if you don’t know, you just don’t know but let them know, I will get the answer and get back with you.

So lets look at Paul. Paul had to defend his calling. Galatians 1:11-17 “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.”

Some critics of Paul were saying that he was not a true apostle of the Lord Jesus because he had not been a follower, when the Lord was upon the earth. I am sure someone had brought up Paul’s past as well and he tells them, I know what I have done. Paul’s former life, (than Saul) showed him to be a heavy persecutor of the church and now he is working for Christ. To build up the church, that he once tore down.

It is a shame people can’t accept a change in a person. We all have a calling from God on our life and trust me someone is questioning your call. TALK. PREACH…(from the pulpit to the back door)…i remember....they pushed him to preach....Will you defend your calling?

Now let’s clear something up..don’t give them a reason to question you call. Nobody is perfect but there should be a change in your life. It’s ok to hang out with the fellows or the ladies but be not conformed…the problem is we up in the church house, holier than thou and then want to tell others how they living wrong but no sooner then the car leaves the churches parking lot....did you hear what that sorry....TALK, PREACH.....sometime you may have to defend your calling.

Next Paul had to defend his faith and the doctine....Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

With Judaizers running around trying to contradict Paul as much as they could and one way they were doing that was by still teaching circumcision. JUDAIZERS Gentile Christians who adopted Jewish customs, and/or those (Jews or Gentiles) who encouraged such practices. Yes, believe in Christ but you still need to go thru all of the rituals. Paul defends what he believes in and what he teaches. It is thru your faith in Christ alone. I love how he uses Abraham, Galatians 3:6-7 “just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” .....TALK. PREACH...

There will be people questioning your faith and what you believe and trust. Why do you keep going down there to that church? The preacher is greedy, those sisters talk about everyone. I do not go to the church for them, I go for myself. I go to worship, and praise my Saviour. Why? Because, I know what he has done for me and what he can do for. My faith in Him. Not that preacher, not those deacons. In my Lord and Saviour.

I still hear your thoughts, you not worried about what they say or think but I am not going to let anyone talk down about what I believe in and know is true. And if they open that door, I will boldly walk and defend and spread the word. …TALK , PREACH....(DADDY TALKING TO JEHOVAH WITNESS).....

Paul defends the gospel......Philippians 1:17 “but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.” Paul faced dark circumstances, he was a prisoner in Rome. However Paul used those dark circumstances to spread the gospel. Paul did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome nor of Nero but he saw himself a prisoner for Jesus Christ.

Paul spread the gospel by encouraging other believers to be fearless in witnessing. His dynamic witness made a powerful impact on those around him. There is alot more to this text but we don’t have time but quickly aside from the Judaizers there was those who were preaching the true gospel but they were doing it with jealous snd contentious spirits v16, and some out of love v17, overall Paul was just happy the gospel was being preached. The true gospel that he was ready to defend. Paul’s attitude went like this: “If you preach the true gospel, I don’t care what your motives are. If your motives are bad, God will deal with you — but at least the gospel is preached. But if you preach a false gospel, I don’t care how good your motives are. You are dangerous and must stop preaching your false gospel, and good motives don’t excuse your false message.”

I tell people all the time, if you looking for a church home, make sure it is bible based. Make they are teaching and preaching the word of God, not the word of man. And if there is some false teaching, are you prepared to defend it.

The way the world is today, there is a need for apologetics today. You may get mad at me but don’t shoot the messenger. I am willing and able to defend my calling, my faith, and for sure the gospel. The good news. If I could go back in time, I would love to hear Paul, spread the good news.....TALK, PREACH, CLOSE....