SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR APOLOGETICS

The Scripture Says: In 1 Pt: 3:15:

That we are to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”

Let’s Examine This Verse for a moment to give us a guide to how we are to defend the Faith.

Firstly, the man or woman who is ready to give an answer of the hope that is within them must sanctify the Lord God in their hearts. That is, God has a sacred place in their hearts—the seat of their emotions. Anger and argument for the sake of argument has no place in the defense of the Faith.

Secondly, we are to be “ready” to give an answer to every man—Hindu, Muslim, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, every man.

Thirdly, you must give a reasonable answer.

Fourthly, this answer is to be done with meekness and fear.

Let’s Examine These Points Carefully:

·         You and I as apologists must have a right attitude—a Christ like spirit, with our emotions clearly in check. We must “sanctify the Lord God in our hearts.”

o   That is, Christ as Lord must be front and center. We must have pure heart.

·         We must be ready. A slothful and a careless, sloppy approach is not good enough. We must be prepared spiritually and knowledgeable!

·         Our answer must be reasonable. The moon is not made of green cheese. Neither is our faith an unreasonable concept.

·         Gentleness, and meekness is the hallmark of true Christian apologists. After all, a changed life is the best proof of the power of Christ to change human behavior.

Now, Let’s Take A Close Look At Jesus’ Methods Of Persuasion:

He never condemned.

John: 3:17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John: 8:10: When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
John:8:11: She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

He never enticed

John:6:26: “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. You only follow me for the loaves and fishes,” he said.
Matthew13:58: “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”

He never made discipleship easy.

Luke 19:16-30: To the Rich Young Ruler, he said, “Sale all you have and give to the poor, if you want to follow me.”

He never coerced:

Luke 9:52: “And [he] sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53: And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54: And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55: But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56: For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”

Can you think of other examples?