Study 1
Apologetics
What Is The Study Of Apologetics And Why Do You Need
This Study?
Peter said, "Sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason
for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).
In this verse the word defense comes from the Greek word "apologia"
which means to verbally give a reasoned argument or statement. Therefore, the
study of apologetics is learning how to answer the tough questions that people
ask. If you have set your hope in God you must learn to explain to others why
you have made this decision. This study will enable you to give intelligent
and well thought out reasons for why you have hope in Christ, why you believe
that God exists, and why the Bible can be trusted. Solomon declared, "The
heart of the righteous studies how to answer" (Prov. 15:28). Therefore,
give yourself now to diligently studying these issues that you may give a reasoned
answer for the hope that is in you.
How can you be sure that God exists?
The
question of the existence of God usually comes up at many different times and
many different ways within a conversation. Sometimes a person will directly
say, "I don’t believe in God" as you begin to share the Gospel.
Other times you will find that it only surfaces when you explain what God requires
of man. You must answer this question directly from the fact of evidence, not
your opinion.
What is the Evidence?
- A. The physical creation
David explained why he believed in God when
he said, "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalms
19:1-4). The heavens utter this message every day and every night to every
creature around the world. In Romans 1:18-22, Paul also teaches us that
the creation clearly reveals the existence of God and the greatness of His
wisdom and power. The creation is such an obvious and powerful proof, Paul
declares that in light of this evidence, all men are "without excuse"
(v 20). Therefore, ask people how do they account for the incredible
testimony of the creation. Who made all that we see?
- B. Our physical body
David also realized that his physical body
was a masterpiece of creative ability far beyond man’s ability. He
explained in Psalms 139:14, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made; marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knows very
well." Therefore, explain to the one you are witnessing to that
man cannot successfully duplicate even one major organ within the human
body and have it work as efficiently as God originally made it. To believe
that the human body came into existence through time and chance is to defy
logic, and require more faith than it does to believe that God created us.
- C. Logic
Cause and effect
Logic demands that when you see the heavens
and the biological wonder of the human body, you naturally ask the question,
"who has created this?" When you look at a work of art, don’t
you naturally realize that there must be an artist? When you see a great
building, you know there must be a wise master-builder. When you observe
great craftsmanship, you are absolutely sure there is a craftsman. Likewise,
our incredible creation logically demands a creator!
- Order and design
In addition, the observable design of all
that we see around us in our creation speaks of an intelligent designer.
The only alternative we have to account for this design is that all things
have come about by chance originating from disorder and chaos. However,
again, simple logic requires us to believe that order and design must come
from intelligence. Order cannot come from disorder. Ask the question, "What
happens when you put a stick of dynamite in a lumberyard?" Then respond
with, "You have a big bang, but that doesn’t build a home. You
logically need a skilled and intelligent master-builder to create the beauty
and design of a home.
- D. Prophetic proof
Another excellent proof of the existence of
God is Bible prophecy. The ability of God to speak of the future reveals
the fact that there is someone outside of our time domain. Only God knows
the future, because He is God (Isaiah 46:9-10) (James 4:14). God challenged
the idols of the nation Israel to a test. He asked the false prophets and
the idols to reveal the things to come that all may see exactly who the
true God was (Isaiah 41:21-23). If God used prophecy to prove His existence
then we should too. One of the best prophecies to use as proof of God’s
ability is the reestablishment of the nation of Israel (Joel 3:1-2). A person
must only compare these predictions with history to see the proof that God
has spoken.
- E. Visible proof
The greatest proof that God exists was given
to man by Jesus Christ coming to live in our midst. God came in human flesh
to give a clear picture of who God is and what He is like (John 1:1,14).
Jesus was an historic person spoken about by Jewish historian Josephus (A.D.
37), and Roman historian Tacitus (A.D. 52). Jesus revealed His deity by
the claims that He made, the miracles that He did, and ultimately by His
resurrection.
- F. Personal proof
You can have the personal proof that God exists
by simply obeying His Word. If you believe and obey Him, He will change
your life. Jesus said in effect, if you will do My will, you will know if
I speak of myself, or if My words are, in fact, the Word of God (John 7:17).
As you obey God’s Word He promises that He will give you the power
of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32). The Holy Spirit is proof that you abide
in God, and that He abides in you (1 John 3:24).
Revised 9/9/99
This study was written by Pastor Steve Carr. If
we can be of any further assistance please contact us a www.calvaryag.org
or (805) 481-2320.