Acts & apologetics: 1. Where it starts

Well into the 21st century, God has gifted us Christians with incredible opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus  Christ.  

The world around us is confused, and I would go so far as to say even frightened, as Islam intrudes on Western society, liberals (progressives) attempt a "remake" of the traditional American lifestyle, and our moral as well as cultural infrastructure crumbles. 

1 Peter 3:15 - 16, admonishes us to have an answer for the hope that we demonstrate to the world. And when we present an answer, we are to do it with love and respect. 

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good  behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 

2 Peter 3:14 - 18, is a bit stronger describing the urgency and complexity of WHY we will need to be strong in our convictions. 

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this [eternal life], make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand,   which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other   Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this,  be on your guard  so that you may not be carried  away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  o him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

But we are also to be bold in our witness as the apostle Paul not only teaches but demonstrates boldness as shown throughout the book of Acts  (9:28, 13:46, 18:26 for example). You see, the world isn't looking for  "wishy-washy" "make me feel good" teaching (it may say that, but that's not the truth). The world around us - our neighbors, family, co-workers, classmates, and, dare I say even enemies and strangers - are really ready for truth and conviction. They want something they can grab and hold onto. People are looking for a reason to live.

The Book of the Acts of the Apostles, penned by the Evangelist Luke, a first-century CE physician of Greek heritage demonstrates in word and deed how apologetics is to be handled and is a great way to learn how to present a  proper defense of the Gospel. That's what apologetics is; it is an  "apologia" or defense or argument in favor of something.

Christian brothers and sisters, we have NOTHING to be ashamed of, nothing to apologize for. God goes before us to strengthen and protect us; to provide us wisdom and power. In Romans 1:16, Paul states, "I am not  ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." 

The Basics of Christian Apologetics: 3 Steps

• Show up
• Speak up
• Offer a command (word of Scripture)

But how do we do that? Many think that just because we're not Bible scholars or pastors or Sunday school teachers, we aren't capable of presenting a  good defense of Christ. Trust me, I thought the same way and I believed a lie from the pit of hell itself. Over the past several years God has been teaching me how to salt and pepper everyday conversations with His truth.

Let's look at the Book of Acts and learn. In the very first paragraphs of Chapter One, Jesus Christ Himself demonstrates what we are to do and how we are to be His witnesses. 

Verses 2 through 5 read: "...until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'"

In verse 2 we learn that it's the Holy Spirit that teaches us. Our responsibility is to daily crack open the Bible and read and pray about what we've read. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, God, teaches us what we are to know. Furthermore, He provides us with the wisdom with which to use this knowledge.

To be brutally honest, up until recently, daily Bible reading, never mind studying, was difficult for me and I would make excuses. Finally, I'm beginning to come to the point where I can't participate in the day without being in God's Word; even if it's for 10 minutes. It is nourishment for my heart, soul, and life. God's Word is so powerful, yet we neglect to bring it into our lives, to the point of it taking over our thought process. We are to, as the apostle admonishes, "take every thought captive." God's Word, dwelling in our minds and hearts will gradually and sufficiently transform us to the image of Christ.

But back to Acts. Allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us is step one. We have to make that conscious effort to let God's Word speak to us in order to teach us His ways. In verses 3 through 5, Jesus Himself demonstrates HOW we are to serve as His witnesses and to give an apologetic for His Gospel.

Verse 3 is the start. Notice that Jesus provided the disciples with many convincing proofs of His bodily Resurrection. Jesus "showed Himself," He appeared to them over the course of 40 days. In other words, Jesus demonstrates that before any apology or defense can be made, we have to appear. We  have to "show up." Oftentimes, that's the problem. We don't show up. We avoid situations or relationships that God has placed us in to share His Good News. That's an incredible privilege that He has given us! Think about it, if we just showed up half the time, people around us might actually "see" us doing a "good work" or even opening our mouths for the Glory of God. 

Which leads us to the next step. In that same verse, we see that Jesus directly spoke to  His disciples about God and the Kingdom of Heaven. So yes, we are to show up, and then (not but) we are to speak up. I think many of us don't  truly realize how powerful the spoken word is. By the spoken Word, God created the heavens and the earth. He created EVERYTHING by simply speaking (except Man - Man, God created by forming him from the dust of the earth, mankind is a special creation because we are God's image bearers - another post). Also by speaking, He will take it away and bring forth a new creation in its appointed time.

God has provided the human race with this incredible attribute of speech and a spoken language using knowledge and wisdom. No other living creature on the planet has those combined abilities. God doesn't want us to waste our time speaking of trifling matters, He wants us to speak of Him; reflecting back to God,  His Glory. To tell the world (our friends, family, neighbors, and strangers) what God has done and is doing in our lives. The mere fact that God chose you as one of His very own is an awesome thing. Why don't or won't we share that?

Finally, from time to time, we are to offer a "command."  I understand that as actually quoting Scripture or at least providing a  solid Biblical truth. Now don't start telling me that you can never memorize Scripture. That's just not true. Think about how many songs you've "memorized" from just listening to an album or the radio or your favorite electronic device. Surely learning God's Word is much more important than a Top 40 "hit" to your life.

When we are in the Bible on a really regular basis (like every day), we just aren't getting into the Bible, the Bible is getting into US! That's the Holy Spirit working.  In the beginning, we start recognizing or  remembering verses, "Oh yeah, that's..." or we fumble "I think I read in..." And that's a great start. Have you ever noticed that the more you read God's Word, the better you know it? And by the same token, God's Word begins to "know" you and speaks to you in various ways. God's Word is not only powerful, it is personal. 

So that's how we start our personal defense of God and His Word. We show up to the world around us. We speak up about what God has and is doing in our lives. We lovingly and correctly quote His Word, being sure to not take or use verses out of context; we command. "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of  the heart."  Hebrews 4:12.

Now go and be used by God for His good works and for His Glory. Remember, it's not about you. It IS about Him.