We know what the Book of Acts is all about...
Well, maybe. Sometimes it's known as the Book of the Acts of the Apostles authored by the Greek physician Luke. It is the history book of the New Testament. Others have "renamed" it the Acts of the Holy Spirit. That idea has a lot of merit. As the Holy Spirit comes into or indwells all believers in Jesus Christ as part of the New Covenant of God, He, the Spirit, acts in and through us.
Now mention the word "apologetics" and most people's eyes glaze over. That happens, I believe, because we don't understand what apologetics is. They think it's something that requires years of seminary study or professional training. We think of today's "big name" evangelists such as Billy or Franklin Graham, Luis Palau or Ravi Zacharias or any number of radio and television pastors.
Strictly speaking, apologetics is simply the ability of defending an idea. We see it done every day with a variety of ideas and even products. There's the "apologetics" of abortion or its opposite, the Right to Life. There's conservatism versus liberalism or a market economy versus a planned economy (capitalism v. socialism or communism).
Apologetics is the give and take of ideas based on a person's knowledge, belief or understanding of those ideas. It's not only what you believe, but why you believe what you believe.
This study of "Acts and Apologetics" came to be solely from a convergence of events. With God, nothing is "coincidental". I had been listening to and studying a sermon series on defending the Christian Faith. It was fascinating. I listened to it over and over. I took copious mental as well as written notes. This was going on for several months. The small group that I meet with on Saturday mornings was about to begin afresh after the summer's hiatus. We discussed what we would study. I was "pushing" this study of Apologetics. One of our group's members really wanted to study the Book of Acts. So I said, "sure, we could blend these together. This will be fun!"
As I left the group that morning, I thought, "Lord, help me! Open my eyes to Your Word and work in my mind." And that's exactly what God did.
There are few things in life that are amazing to me. But God never ceases to amaze me. As I opened the Book of Acts, for the I don't know how many-eth time, the Holy Spirit grabbed hold of me and taught me. He allowed me to see that Acts is an absolute treasure trove of examples of Christian apologetics. Acts provides practical insights of how to speak to people about God and defend your Faith. Not only do you learn how, but you also learn what to do: the order of speech, the words to use. The Spirit highlights mentors we can imitate; Peter, Stephen,Barnabas, Paul and others.
There are three thematic verses that form the foundation or the "why" of this Study. 1 Peter 3:15 - 16 admonishes us to be always prepared to give a reason to unbelievers (or pre-believers if you will) for the hope that we have in Christ. Furthermore, we are to give that reason with gentleness and humility; but more importantly, with the power of the Holy Spirit. The purpose is to help lead others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The other two passages are 2 Peter 3:14 - 21, and Romans 1:18 - 23.
Basically, the Book of Acts provides the three essentials of Christian Apologetics (or defending your Faith) that you need to learn: Structure, Definitions and Strategies. And so, this study, "Acts and Apologetics" can be broken into the same three parts. Here's what we'll be examining...
Structure. The first 4 weeks looks at the overall "Structure" of Christian Apologetics. In other words, HOW to present your Apologetic or your defense of your Faith in Christ. Jesus Himself is the lead instructor to the disciples before He ascends to Heaven. Of course, the Holy Spirit immediately takes control and works through Peter and the remaining disciples. We'll also take a look at the issue of "speaking in tongues"; there are some practical insights that are applicable for today.
Definitions. The next several weeks will examine the "definitions" of apologetics. Why we believe what we believe. The issues of our relationship to God; who and whose we are. The issues of sin and redemption. What is and what makes up a person's worldview; how that worldview can be changed or modified. Why it's important to understand your audience's worldview. Unless and until we have a grasp of these issues, our personal apologetic will be weak and relatively ineffective. More than that, we will feel ineffective, and therefore insecure. However, if we have "prepped" ourselves to the best of our ability, God is more than willing use our weakness to bring glory to Himself. In the end you will gain an understanding of the importance of Christian Theism.
Strategies. Finally, we put all of this Structure and Definition together with Strategies. The Apostle Paul was used brilliantly by God to bring His Gospel to the Roman world. Once a vehement unbeliever, God took Paul and used him, re-educating him to His purposes. And that's how we are to speak for God in our own days. We are to speak powerfully, yet prayerfully, of God's Truths for the dual purpose of fearlessly defending God and His Word with the intent to bring others to Christ. Today we battle against the new "heresies" of "open theism" and liberal theology as well as other popular philosophical "isms". The proper understanding of Romans 1:18 - 23 is absolutely critical when we "strategize" our personal apologetic.
And so, we turn to the Study of "Acts and Apologetics". My great thanks go to Pastor Brian Borgman of Grace Community Church of Minden, Nevada and his sermon series "Defense of Christian Theism" which was the seed of this study. Several other resources were used and are noted in the resource guide. I also want to thank some personal friends and mentors (you know who you are) who have stood by to lovingly critique this work and "harden" some of the soft ideas as well as soften some of the "hard" ideas. Thank you for your encouragement. Finally, but not in the least, I give thanks and praise to God my Father who kept prompting my mind to action. The Holy Spirit was alive and working as He opened my eyes to His Truths and kept my fingers typing my laptop's keys.
Our world is facing great crises. God has given all of His children - that means you and me - incredible opportunities to be witnesses to Who He is and what He desires in each and every person walking this earth. It is my sincere prayer that God will use this study to help you better understand your own Faith and embolden you to proclaim this liberating and life-saving message to the world around you.
Pray each day that God would use you in mighty and unbelievable ways, even today. I'll be keeping you in prayer as well. Let me know how God is using you.
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