Acts 22:1 says, “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense which I make now unto you.” Paul was always ready to defend his faith and did even in the most difficult of situations. “Apologetics” is “reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something.” Paul’s Areopagus sermon in Acts 17:22-31 was a classic example of Biblical apologetics. He first spoke to his listeners on their own ground, starting on their own terms (vv. 22-23). He then presented the gospel truth about our origins and true worship (vv. 24-27). He supported his position in a culturally appropriate way in v. 28 and finally concluded his sermon by calling for a response (vv. 29-31). Peter told us to be ready to do the same: “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” (1 Peter 3:15). When you speak of the faith that you practice or that you believe, can you successfully defend it with contextually correct and complete scripture teaching? Can you defend the name you wear with scripture? Can you defend your practices in worship with the word of God? Can you successfully defend how you conduct your teaching with book, chapter, and verse? Can you provide scriptural authority for your practices of entertainment or social conduct that you provide with the finances gathered for the furtherance of the gospel? Serving God is not a joke or an irreverent subject. Nadab and Abihu learned what happens when one substitutes their own ideas for God’s. Leviticus 10:1-2 says, “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” A scriptural defense of your faith and practices is essential. Can you do it? We can, we do, and we will!
Adapted from Jim Belcher
