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Notice these first believers argued, reasoned, disputed, confounded, and persuaded.  Also notice that
               they argued about the “confirmation of the gospel.”  They were trying to convince their audience to
               understand who Christ was and why He came.  They were educating lost people about the good news of
               the Gospel – that Christ, because of His great love, came to die to save people from their sin.  Actually
               an apologist is first and foremost, an evangelist!

               Probably the premier Scripture that best explains to us our calling to become an apologist is these
               verses:

                              15
               I Peter 3:15-16   but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, 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,  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good
                           16
               behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  (You need to memorize verse 15, please)

               Notice that Peter states that the way we honor Christ is to be prepared to make a defense of your faith
               to anyone who asks.  However, Peter also gives us an important method in doing so:  “with gentleness
               and respect.”  We are to answer others with the goal of not demonstrating intellectual superiority over
               them, but to present our arguments with kindness, showing respect for the person asking the questions.
               Apologetics involves not only KNOWING the answers, but in SHARING the answers understanding the
               heart the questioning person and in presenting our information with love and compassion.

               If you live your life by faithfully serving Jesus Christ and in sharing His love to others (sharing the
               Gospel), people will take note.  I Peter 3:16 says that some will slander or mock you or may revile you
               for your beliefs.  Peter explains that we should expect such responses.  But he also shares that they will
               ask you questions about how and why you believe what you believe.  You become a quandary to them
               since you stand out from the rest of the world.  Most people remain silent, but you declare God to them.
               It will elicit a response, often times with direct questions.  Here are a few you must be prepared to
               answer listed in categories:

               God
               Does God exist?  How do you know He exists?  Can you prove His existence?  If God is so good and
               loving, why would He send people to Hell, a place of eternal torment?  Are you asking me to believe
               using blind faith?  How can I believe in God without seeing Him?  You Christians say God is a trinity.  The
               word, Trinity, is not in the Bible.  Do you believe in three Gods?

                                            The Bible
                                            Is the Bible full of errors?  Doesn’t the Bible contradict itself?  In light of
                                            scientific facts, aren’t the first 11 chapters in Genesis pure fiction?
                                            Some say the KJV version of the Bible is the only authoritative and
                                            correct translation of the Bible.  What about all the other translations?
                                            Are they false translations?  Has the Bible changed over the years of
               being copied?  Can you take the Bible literally?  Can you trust Paul’s writings?  He seemed to be
               prejudiced against women.  What about other religious books, like the Koran or the Book of Mormon?
               Aren’t they just as significant as the Bible?

               Jesus
               Who is the real Jesus?  Did He really claim to be God?  How could He be virgin born?  Why did He have
               to die?  If He was God, could He not just forgive us and not die on the cross?  What proof do you have


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