Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
Christians are appropriately referred to as “God’s fellow workers.” (1 Cor. 3:9) Therefore, we should make it our purpose to strengthen our skills as an apologetic evangelist “rightly handling the word of truth.” - 2 Tim. 2:15.
In Acts 17:16-34, we have the apostle Paul preaching the gospel in this context, in ancient Athens. What we will do is consider is not only the fact that Paul courageously proclaims the gospel but precisely how he does so.
Regardless of where we live in the world, in some way the evangelistic movement that Jesus Christ started and the apostle grew has affected your life. There are some 2.4 billion “Christians” out of a worldwide population of about 7.8 billion people. There are over 41,000 different denominations, all believing differently, and all claiming to be “Christian.”
God created humans with the marvelous gift of speech. Yes, we are designed to communicate. Yet, the art of conversation does not come so easy when we are mentally bent toward evil (Gen. 6:5; 8:21), possessing a treacherous heart that we cannot know (Jer. 17:9), and having a natural inclination toward bad. So, here is guidance on “talking to” or “talking with” someone instead of “talking at” them.
1 Peter 3:15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect; ARE YOU ASLEEP TO YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES? Proverbs 6:9-11 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 9 How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11 your poverty will come upon you like a robber, and your want like an armed man.
Evangelism is the work of a Christian evangelist, of which all true Christians are obligated to partake to some extent, which seeks to persuade other people to become Christian, especially by sharing the basics of the Gospel, but also the deeper message of biblical truths.
STEP 1: Raise your expectations. We dumb down the church with cartoon Bible study booklets, we dumb down our churchgoers with interpretive Bible translations (NIV, CEV, TEV, NLT, etc.) People will do what you expect them to do.
7 Steps to go ...
John 1:35–42
There stood a mighty Prophet; there was the predicted character of the Lord’s Servant; there was a peerless One. The good news proclaimed by John the Baptist was true. The Christ had indeed come.
May we not pause here to consider what this means with reference to our methods of work for Christ?
"For the sharing of the message of Christ to be effective, the wise walk must be accompanied with flavorful talk. The believer’s talk is to be gracious, rather than gruff, and charming, rather than coarse." - Max Anders
"A Christian should not attempt to ram the truth down someone’s throat or to speak patronizingly or critically to them." - David Walls and Max Anders
The ministry of Peter and those associated with him is presented with amazing completeness in the second chapter of the Book of Acts. Here is evangelism at its best, and the spiritual nurture that should follow. Here, with vivid recollections of his Lord, and mindful of the twofold thrust of the Great Commission, Peter presents... Continue Reading →