What are We to Do?
Be a Disciple
Defend the Faith
When we go out into the world and engage with people, both believers and non-believers alike, we will like encounter various forms of opposition. We have to realize that those who are in darkness don’t want the light shone on their dark behaviors. Doing so makes them feel sinful and guilty, which they prefer to avoid.
Some people will be curious, and these are the ones who easiest to talk to. Others may have minor objections and will raise them to either dismiss you or see if you really mean what you say. Some will have downright objections they use to explain to themselves why they do not believe and they want you to believe the same way, or at least don’t want you to discuss your beliefs with them. Some will dismiss you without even talking to you and look for an escape. You will even run into believers who hold different doctrinal views and will argue with you about them.
Apologetics
“3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:” (1Co 2:3-4)
Notice in this scripture that even, Paul, one of the wisest men in the New Testament, was nervous about defending the faith to unbelievers. This is not something most people are naturally comfortable with. It was Paul’s reliance on the Holy Spirit that made it effective.
Peter tells us we must always be ready to defend the faith, as described in 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
When we engage people in an effort to witness to them, we will often encounter questions and even objections. LearningGod.org is developing an entire section on the study of defending the faith, called Apologetics (see that section under God’s Way).
For a quick summary, we should all be prepared, as Peter directed, to defend the faith. This means we represent God and His Word and make sure the truth is told. It is not our job to convince others to believe what we know is true. Our job is to expose them to the truth, engage with them on their understanding of it and ask and answer questions that guide them to understanding. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict others and lead them to Christ.
The types of apologetics questions you will likely run into focus on the following topics.
- Biblical inerrancy
- Divinity of Christ
- Existence of God
- Logic and reason
- Other religious viewpoints
- Other denomination viewpoints
See the section on Apologetics for more information or use one of these excellent apologetics online resources.
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Col 4:6)
