Apologetical Ministry of Jesus

The Spotless Agenda: 014

Apologetical Ministry of Jesus

Often we hear more about the preaching and teaching ministry of Jesus, but less about his apologetical ministry.  

Well, the reason for the scanty information about his apologetical ministry might be that many preachers feel apprehensive to venture into apologetics. They think that apologetics is about organising debates to debunk other people's opinions about Jesus. 

Many preachers think that apologetics is not spiritual but rather, only scholastic or academic. They say that it requires in-depth scholarship or avid reading and research. So they leave it for scholars and specialists. 

To state plainly, Jesus had the best apologetical ministry. Besides preaching and teaching, Jesus also answered those who asked him to give reasons for the hope that he had. This is what apologetics is about - answering those who ask you to give reasons.

Apostle Peter wrote to the entire Christian community then - they were followers and not preachers - that they should always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asked them to give the reason for the hope that they had (1Peter 3:15). 

Apologetics is a ministry for all believers, especially those who have known and understood Christ through intimacy with the Spirit and biblical studies.

Day in day out Christians meet people who ask them to give the reason for the hope that they have or the reason for the thing that they believe. 

People come to knowledge of Christ through different means. Highly intelligent people want to be convinced about the truth before they believe it or advance it. You should be prepared to serve them to their satisfaction. This is why you must venture into apologetics to be able to cleverly answer questions about what you believe and about what you are advancing. 

Apologetics is as spiritual as preaching and teaching from the pulpit. People have given their lives to Christ after encountering good apologists who served them with convincing reasons why they should believe Christ to be true and not mythical. Others have come to the faith after reading and researching about Jesus Christ for themselves. 

The Holy Spirit gives grace for defending the hope that you have as much as he gives grace for advancing the truth that you have. So do not sideline apologetics, but rather, study to show yourself competent and approved in defending the hope that you have and advancing the truth that you have. 

#TowardsASpotlessChurch

Comments

  1. Sage WordMay 31, 2022 at 2:43 AM

    The Spotless Agenda is a move toward a spotless church. Study, reason and question (srq) Scripture in order to find evidence of the truth. Remember, this is achievable only through the Holy Spirit.

    ReplyDelete

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