Apologetics

The word “Apologetics” means the ability to defend the faith. For some even just the thought of having a deep discussion about what they believe puts shivers down their spine. What if I told you that discussing what we believe doesn’t have to be that difficult, nor does it have to be an exercise of academics?

We have a great example in the Apostle Paul of how to do this very thing. I find it so encouraging to see that even during Paul's incarceration he never stops telling people about Christ and how he came to know Him. Paul was a persecutor of the church sending many to prison and even to death. Yet, in Acts 26 we see Paul in chains standing before King Agrippa telling his story of how he became a believer and his calling to share Jesus not only with his fellow Jews but with Gentiles as well.

Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes on to share the gospel. Let’s look at verses 26-27 of Acts 26, “For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do.” I want us to notice what Paul does. Paul doesn’t argue but finds common ground in which to agree. This common ground comes in the form of believing in the writings of the prophets of old. Paul does not argue nor insult, but just speaks of those things he knows to be true and what his listener knows to be true. My concern is that many times we as Christians are more concerned about winning an argument than we are about winning people. 

If we were to go on in verse 28 what Paul said must have struck a chord because we see the King say, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Many times we think we fail if we share the gospel and the person we are speaking with doesn’t accept Christ. Yet, what we must always realize is that we are just to share the truth and leave the results up to God.

My challenge in this blog is for us to 1) Do not be afraid to share the gospel no matter where you are standing. 2) All Paul had to give was his testimony on how he came to know Jesus, if it was good enough for Paul, then it must be good enough for us. 3) Jesus didn’t ask us to win arguments but to win people. 4) Never give up on someone, you don’t know what the Lord is doing behind the scenes.

What the world needs more than anything is people who are willing to love them enough to share Christ with them. Will you be one of those people?