Christian Apologetics

apologetics ἀπολογία a “verbal defense, a speech in defense,”

NASB95

Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

εἰμί

At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them.

NASB95

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

NASB95

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

examples:

NASB95“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.”

Paul defends his ministry

NASB95 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

Paul considers it his calling to be a defender of the gospel

Why do Apologetics?

Apologetics is part of the work of church leaders

NASB95 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

​Apollos

NASB95 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Apologetics is necessary

People are asking questions; they want to know more about our faith Enemies are attempting to destroy the faith.

NASB95 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

How to do apologetics

Understand the people

are the people unbelievers, or claiming to be Christians?are the people asking for enlightenment or looking for trouble?

Understand the issues

what is the subject? what is the purpose of the conversation?

Understand the situation

​where is the conversation going to take place?

Understand your motivation

​why will I do this? with gentleness and reverence -

Know what to expect

you may be ridiculed you may be hurt you may be accepted

To set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts

To set apart Christ as Lord in your heart means 2 things..(the two greatest commandments) To love your God with all your heart, with all your mind, all your soul, all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. Which followed a conversation where they tried to trick Jesus and asked “is it alright to pay taxes to Caesar?”

Jesus said “do you have a coin? who’s image do you see on the coin?

he said Caesar.

Jesus said “ give to Caesar, that which belongs to Caesar, and give to God, that which belongs to God.

A good questioner would always have a followup question and he should have then said “what belongs to God?”And Jesus would have said “who’s image is on you?”

Your apologetics not only has to be heard it has to be seen.

It has to be visible to people. You have to be a visual example, to let your light shine before people so that they will see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven.

A word in season can bring to fruit that which only God can nurture and nourish. We ask God for wisdom, we are not picking a fight but looking for answers to help others set apart Christ, Help us not merely be heard but seen, not be merely argued but felt, and give them to one thing the Bible gives that nothing else does. which is to answer the question not did Jesus die, but why did Jesus die.