Jesus' Usage of Apologetics
Matthew 22:37 - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind."
Because he was continually confronted with the need to defend his claims to be the Son of God,
Jesus employed several apologetic methods in order to present a compelling case for his deity.
Apologetics involves knowing why you believe what you believe and being able to give a
defense to unbelievers
Six Ways Jesus Used Apologetics
By understanding the ways that Jesus went about defending Christianity, we will be able to walk
in the footsteps of, and use the same methods as, the greatest apologist of all-time.
1) Testimony
The first apologetic method that Jesus uses involves appealing to the testimony of others in order
to verify his claims to be the Son of God.
2) Miracles
The second apologetic method that Jesus uses involves appealing to his miracles as proof that he
really is who he claims to be: the Son of God. Jesus performs over thirty miracles throughout his
ministry to prove he is God's Son
3) Prophecy
The third apologetic method that Jesus uses is fulfilled prophecy. In other words, Jesus'
fulfillment of messianic prophecies from the Old Testament, and his ability to make predictions
of his own that come to pass, are proof that he is divine. Jesus spoke prophecies regularly
throughout his ministry (81 in Matthew; 50 in Mark; 75 in Luke; 45 in John), some of which
reached fulfillment in his own lifetime some after he ascended to heaven and others that will be
fulfilled around the time of his Second Coming
4) Reason
The fourth apologetic method that Jesus uses is reason.
Jesus provided logical, well-reasoned responses to those who questioned his deity
Jesus asked questions in order to expose faulty logic
5) Parables
The fifth apologetic method that Jesus uses is parables. An implicit way Jesus makes claims to
deity is found in the parables, or stories, that he tells throughout the Gospels.
6) Discourse
The sixth apologetic method that Jesus uses is discourse, which involves Jesus making explicit
claims to deity through certain authoritative speeches.
Paul's Usage of Apologetics
"Appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Philippians 1:16).
There are at least three ways in which Paul defended the gospel: 1) through his writings; 2)
through his conversations with others, and 3) through his actions. Think about how you
can defend the gospel in these three areas of your own life.
Writings
Paul defended the gospel through his writings.
Conversations
You are involved in numerous conversations throughout the day, some of which
provide opportunities to use what you are learning about apologetics.
Action
Did you realize that you can defend your faith through your actions? One of the most powerful
ways to use apologetics involves simply living out what you say you believe as a Christian. If
you want to convince someone that Christianity is true, then live it out.
2 Corinthian 10:5 - “destroy arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God."
Acts 17:22-34
While on his second missionary journey, Paul preached an apologetic message in Greece to the
people at Mars Hill. Throughout his message, he used the following tactics related to
apologetics:
1) Paul found common ground with his audience; they all believed in some form of
religion (17:22-23).
2) Paul argued based upon facts that could be investigated (17:24-28).
3) Paul stated that Jesus' historicity, particularly the resurrection, is the foundation
of Christianity (17:30-31).
Romans 1:20 states, "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine
nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that
have been made. So they are without excuse."
1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
Acts 2:14 – 41
Peter's Usage of Apologetics
1) He appeals to the miracles of Jesus as proof that he is from God (2:22).
2) He appeals to fulfilled prophecy as proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah (2:25-31).
3) He appeals to eyewitness accounts of Jesus' resurrection as proof that he is the Son
of God (2:32).
1 Peter 3:15 - "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."
This verse teaches us a few different things:
1) One way we honor Christ is by "always being prepared to make a defense."
2) We ought to "always be prepared," which means we have to equip ourselves ahead of time
so that we are prepared when in a situation where we are required to defend our faith in Christ.
3) We must always strive to present our case for Christianity with "gentleness and respect."
Remember what you learned in a previous lesson about how your actions play a huge role when
it comes to defending your faith. If you are angry and arrogant, you will not convince anyone of
their need to accept Christ. However, if you are gentle, respectful, and loving, then you will
likely be more successful in your attempts to reach people with the gospel message.
This is an example of how a conversation with a skeptic should look if you are attempting to
defend your faith with "gentleness and respect."
