5 Keys to Apologetics
People often get anxious when they are asked to explain what they believe. Sometimes we equate apologetics to hostile argumentation. Here are a few reminders when sharing your faith with someone that you may know that does not hold the same views …
- Be Kind. Apologetics is not about being blunt, cold, mean, gotcha-statements or antagonizing other people. Apologetics is a way in which Christ followers can act like Jesus while giving reason to their faith. An argument does not have to be negative or hateful. The purpose of an argument is to logically present propositions to reveal a logical conclusion.
- Be informed. Know why you believe what you believe. Study Christian literature that explains your beliefs and opposing beliefs. Be able to interact with literature in a way that you know why you may not hold certain beliefs as to articulate your own held beliefs. Read your Bible.
- Be Active. You may not have opportunity to share why you believe what you believe because people do not know that you hold those views. Be active in sharing your faith and views about Jesus and be ready to tell people why you believe it.
- Be Ready. Stay current on cultural issues. Read to be better educated about what you believe. When someone asks a question, you may not have an answer but you may know where to go find the answer. Sometimes the best apologetic is claiming that you do not know but you will commit to find out and report back.
- Be Gospel. When someone asks you why you hold certain beliefs, the opportunity is not to defend your intellect or honor. The opportunity arises so that you can be an ambassador of Jesus Christ. Share the Gospel. Be able to explain why you hold a belief in light of Jesus’ saving grace.
- Be Invitational. Do not simply receive questions, but give one. Once they have heard your reasonable faith ask if they are ready to surrender their life to Jesus. You never know what the Lord has done through you and that person needs someone to point the direction to Jesus.
Apologetic Verses:
1 Peter 3: 15 - 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;
2 Corinthians 10:5 - We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
Colossians 4:5-6 - Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
1 Corinthians 9:19 - For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
Acts 6:8-10 - And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
Acts 18:4 - And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
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david evans is the Evangelism Team Leader for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Feel free to contact david via e-mail devans@tnbaptist.org. In the meantime, check out “The Reaching App” by searching in your app store or visiting www.TheReachingApp.com.