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Why everyone should study the Christian evidences.

 

Did you know that there are mountains of evidence that the Bible is true? The vast majority of Christians are totally unaware of this.

This does not enable us to fulfill the command in 1Peter 3:15: "Be ready always to give an answer to everyone that asks you a reason for the hope that is in you."

This word 'answer' is 'apologia' in Greek which is where the word 'apologetics' comes from. In Philippians 1:7 and 1:17 Paul uses this word when he tells us to defend and confirm the gospel.

Jude 3 tells us to "earnestly contend for the faith", Colossians 4:6 tells us we ought to know "how to answer every man" and Titus 1:9 tells us to convince the gainsayers (opponents).

 

What are some of these evidences we need to use?

 

1. Resurrection

 

The early Christians used this evidence all the time when they were witnessing.

 

A101 Acts 4:33: "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all."

Also read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Disciples at empty tomb

 

2. God in nature - used all the time.

 

Acts 14:15: Paul said, "...turn from these useless things to the living God who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them..."

 

A907 Romans 1:20-21: Paul, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Ulysses Butterfly

 

3. Testimony of transformed lives.

 

This is an extremely powerful tool but can be challenged by a society which now says, "That's great for you but it doesn't work for me." So we need objective truth as well, which is what the disciples did:

Acts 26:22-23: Paul, "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying ... that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and the Gentiles."

1Timothy 1:12: Paul, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man: but I obtained mercy because I did it innocently in unbelief."

Revelation 12:11, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."

 

Why are these testimonies so important today?

 

1. We live in a skeptical and unbelieving world today. There is little or no knowledge of the Bible and Christian doctrine. If people make an emotional 'decision for Christ' they may quickly fall away if their belief is not backed up by evidence that what they believe is absolutely and eternally true.

Matthew 13:20-21: "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles."

 

A1203 2. Many people have been convinced already by using Christian evidences like creation research and archeology alongside gospel preaching.

 

The Christian faith works because it is based on truth and provides abundant evidence of its truth. People whose faith is based on all the truth go on to grow dynamically strong but those who rely on personal feeling alone too often settle into a rut of a routine and fruitless Christian life. Which life do you think God wants you to live?

 

Using the evidences to win people to the Lord

 

1. We are not to use the evidences to argue, criticize or be sarcastic with others.

Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

2 Timothy 2:24-26: "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."

2. We must not be cold and elitist, rather we should focus on what Christ has done in our hearts, giving peace and joy and consciousness of sins forgiven and a changed life. Christian evidences used to support this must be warm and interesting, showing a genuine concern for the listener.

3. The Holy Spirit is the operator, we are His tools. Many will not come even though we present our faith and evidence clearly because they stubbornly resist the convincing power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit used the apostles to win thousands in a short time, prompting them to provide the evidences of creation, resurrection, miracles of Christ, prophecy and healings. Read Acts 26.

4. Diligent study and preparation is a must.

Jesus spent 30 years preparing Himself by memorizing the Old Testament and by prayer, Paul was a great scholar mightily used by God, Luke was a doctor who researched all the life of Jesus and the early Church most thoroughly.

Jesus chose men from many levels of society who had limited knowledge but after three years of daily teaching they were transformed into Spirit-led evangelists with deep knowledge of God's Word.

We are commanded to "study and show ourselves approved unto God, workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

 

A1204 In our modern times of shallow thinking, both in the world and in the church, we urgently need more Christians who are willing to obey these Scriptures and become witnesses for Christ who can be used by the Holy Spirit.

 

Are you willing and ready?

If you are then proceed with the next 11 studies.

First find out how much you already know by filling in the Get real with God quiz, then correct it by studying the Get real with God study.

This will show you how much you have learned already and how much you need these studies.

God bless you as you become equipped for the future.