Defending the Faith
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Introduction
Introduction
Text -
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;
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.
Definition: what is apologetics
Dictionary of Bible Themes 7703 apologetics
The art of explaining the faith in such a way as to make a reasoned defence against its detractors. Paul’s Areopagus sermon is a classic example of biblical apologetics, which can be of value to all who are called upon to defend the faith today.
apologia (ἀπολογία, 627), a “verbal defense, a speech in defense,”
Examples
“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.”
Paul defends his ministry
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
Why do apologetics
Apologetics is part of the work of church leaders
Apologetics is part of the work of church leaders
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
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.
Acts 18.24-2
Apologetics should be a shared responsibility of all Christians
Apologetics should be a shared responsibility of all Christians
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;
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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.
Apologetics is necessary
Apologetics is necessary
People are asking questions; they want to know more about our faith
Enemies are attempting to destroy the faith
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
How to do apologetics
Understand the people
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
Understand the issues
what is the subject?
what is the purpose of the conversation?
Understand the situation
Understand the situation
where is the conversation going to take place?
Understand your motivation
Understand your motivation
why will I do this?
with gentleness and reverence -
Know what to expect
Know what to expect
you may be ridiculed
you may be hurt
you may be accepted