Apologetics 101

1
Apologetics 101

• Being able to give a defense for Christianity.
  1 Pet. 313-16

2
Introduction

• We know...
• There is only one God and Jesus Christ, our
  Savior.
• There is only one baptism and one covenant that
  is found in Jesus Christ.
• There is only one church (the body of the saved)
  that belongs to Christ.

3
Introduction

• We may believe what we believe, but can we
  effectively defend what we believe?
• Can we verbalize what we believe to be true?
• Can we effectively answer questions unbelievers
  may have regarding the faith?

4
Introduction

• The purpose of this lesson is to
• Understand the purpose for apologetics in our
  walk with the Lord.
• Illustrate the importance of apologetics as we
  share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5
Purpose Winning Souls to Christ

• Its not to win an argument but to win a soul to
  Jesus Christ our Savior.
• We need to continually remind ourselves that
  ones salvation stems from the power of the
  gospel, not in our personal ability to win an
  argument. Cp. Rom. 116
• Many might understand this intellectually, but
  forget to practice when needed most.
• Hence, we should determine to simply proclaim our
  crucified Savior, not superiority of speech. 1
  Cor. 21-2

6
Purpose Winning Souls to Christ

• To follow through on the purpose consider these
  biblical practices.
• Prepare yourselves to answer questions that
  unbelievers may have. Cp. 1 Cor. 922-23
• Some simply have questions that are barriers to
  believing in Christ.
• Some are angry with God, with a church
  (congregation), or with a Christian.
• Do not to start a fight the last thing an
  unbeliever needs is validation against
  Christianity. Cp. 1 Pet. 315

7
Effectively Sharing The Gospel

• Knowing the person you are talking to in
  defending the faith.
• He may be a believer of God, but not of Jesus as
  the Christ (Orthodox Jews, Muslim, Unitarians,
  Christian cults, etc.). cp. Acts 171-3
• Is he religious, although he rejects or is
  ignorant to our one and only God (Mormons,
  Hindus, Buddhists, etc.)? Acts 1716-22
• Is he agnostic or a declared atheist? Cp. Psa.
  141
• Is he God forbid a Christian in name
  only...as their lives deny the very God/Christ
  they proclaim? Cp. Tit. 116

8
Effectively Sharing The Gospel

• Knowing/studying and preparing for questions that
  many unbelievers typically ask.
• NOTE while we cant know every question, we can
  prepare for typical ones.
• Who is God? Who made Him? How do we know He
  exists?
• Is the ark story real. How could all the animals
  fit?
• Is Christianity the only true religion?
• Is the Bible true? Is it the only inspired
  revelation?
• Who is Jesus? Is He the only way to salvation?

9
Conclusion

• Please remember the purpose and importance
  apologetics plays in our relationship and
  teaching with/among unbelievers.
• In the following lessons we will look at
  answering (defending) questions fundamental to
  the Christian faith.