This week we are officially beginning our “Case for Christianity, Person of Interest” class. Before starting it is important to discuss our “Ministry Statement” and purpose for these classes which I do in the video. These classes are designed to offer you a variety of ways to grow in your faith, including PowerPoint presentations, videos, recommended resources and Bible study. You can even run your own study using the format presented here each week. In order to get the most out of this website and class do the following: Watch the presentation, review the class notes below, answer the “Reflection Questions” then complete the Bible Study for this week.

Overview notes from the presentation

MINISTRY STATEMENT

• The purpose of this class is to provide participants with the information and tools needed to address the questions asked of Christians in our culture today (1 Peter 3:15). This includes an emphasis on…

1. Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; John 17)
2. Bible Study with proper Biblical interpretation through the use of hermeneutics (Matthew 22:37; 2 Timothy 2:15)
3. Apologetics – a defense of the historicity, inerrancy and inspiration of the Christian Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
4. Discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 10:23-25)

• This ministry believes that it is the responsibility of every person to invest serious time looking into the claims of Christianity because what we believe to be true about God, human purpose and destiny defines us in this life and more importantly in the next (John 14).

• This ministry is committed to providing Biblical truths based on the teachings of Jesus and his Apostles (John 14:6-7; 2 Peter 1:16-19; 1 John 1:1-4). The most important question we must answer in this life is the one Jesus asked of his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:18-20). 

Class Motto

This life is temporal—eternity is forever.

Own your faith, know what you believe and why you believe it!

Then share it with others!

What is Apologetics?

• Apologetics=apologia (ap-ol-og-ee’-ah) in the original Greek means to give a verbal defense, like one would do in a court of law.
• It is used eight times in the New Testament: Acts 22:1; Acts 25:16; 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 10:5 and 6; Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:16; and 1 Peter 3:15.
• Jesus, his disciples and the early Christian martyrs gave us many examples of how to use apologetics: They proved from Old Testament Scripture who Jesus was; they confirmed it by providing evidence through miracles in Jesus’ Name; and they won arguments against the philosophies of the day with truth and reason.

• Christian Apologetics today makes evidential cases for truth (vs. relativism and secular ideology), a Creator (vs. random evolutionary models), the historicity, reliability and inspiration of the Bible (vs. human skepticism), Jesus and the Resurrection (vs. mythological fiction).

Why do we need apologetics today?

• We are now in a post-Christian, secular society
• Reputable groups that keep a pulse on cultural developments, values, beliefs and religious trends (including Barna, Gallup, Pew, Scientific America and Biola University) are showing serious downward trends in Christian foundational beliefs and commitment, especially among the next generation
• “Nones” have become the third largest religious group worldwide
• In today’s world Christians face a battle not just at home, school, or the workplace but nationally and internationally
• Everyone is now involved in some form of social media on the “worldwide web”
• Statistics show the top two categories of online literature are either in some form of pornography or religion
• It boils down to spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Which side of the battle will you be on?

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

–C.S. Lewis

The Word of God teaches us to be prepared…

“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. …For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”  

–Matthew 24:4-5; 24 (NASB)

The Apostle Paul warned the believers in Colossae:

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” 

–Colossians 2:8 (NASB)

The Apostle Peter warned the early Church that was beginning to face persecution:

“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do no fear their threats; do not be frightened” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. *Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” –1 Peter 3:13-17 (NIV)

* The Apologist’s Theme verse

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.”

-2 Peter 3:3 (NIV)

Toward the end of the first century, the Apostle John wrote this warning to believers who were being infiltrated by false teaching (Gnosticism):

“I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. As for you, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you.”  

-1 John 2:21-26 (NASB)

WHY JESUS?

• Jesus is the second person in the Godhead (the Trinity)
• Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was promised, foreshadowed and predicted in the Old Testament
• Jesus died for each one of us, and took our sins individually to the cross for a “once and for all” final sacrifice
• Jesus resurrected in defeat of death and Satan, and He has promised to return to claim His Kingdom, His land and His followers
• Jesus is the reason for Christianity’s existence – without Him, no Christianity

JESUS IS OUR PERSON OF INTEREST!!!

Recommended Resources

Both of the following websites are for J. Warner Wallace. The first one will give a variety of information and background on J. Warner Wallace along with an abundance of resources including his other books, videos, podcasts, articles and more. The second one is specifically for the new book “Person of Interest” and you will find additional resources and references such as videos, study materials and extra research for those who want to go more in-depth. Explore both sites for additional information.

coldcasechristianity.com

personofinterestbook.com

apologeticscanada.com has specific information on apologetics with additional video teaching tools (clip I showed in the presentation).

Reflection: Memorization Practice

To practice your memorization skills, and to improve your Biblical knowledge, practice memorizing the following things…

1. Review the Ministry Statement’s four focus points for your Christian Walk and reflect on how you think you are doing in each area, or how you might make improvements.
2. What is Christian Apologetics, and why do you think it is important for a Christian to practice?

Bible Study

(Review answers will be posted during the week so you can have a “leader’s guide” for your own studies)

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

NOTE: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions.

Read Acts chapter 13 then, to the best of your ability, answer the following questions:

The book of Acts Hermeneutics; Paul’s first missionary journey; Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles

1. Before starting your Bible study at this point in the book of Acts, it would be important to review some of the Hermeneutics:

a. Author-Audience-Purpose: Who wrote the book of Acts and what other books did he write? Who was the original audience? What was the purpose for the writing of this book?

b. Who are some of the main characters in the book of Acts (include some of the Biblical background you have previously learned about them)?

2. Read Chapter 13:1-13 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter, Paul and Barnabus were set apart for specific ministry:

a. Describe the Church at Antioch and how it came about that Paul and Barnabus were chosen.

b. Who was Elymas the magician, and what happened between him and the Paul? How did this affect the proconcul (and most likely the people he influenced)?

c. Discuss: What do you think is the main point of miracles in the Bible (like the one Paul performed here), and even in our lives today?

d. Going Deeper: Who left and returned to Jerusalem at this point? Where else is he found in the Bible and what do we know about him?

3. Read Chapter 13:14-43 with your table group

In the second part of this chapter, Paul and his companions set out to sea to continue their missionary journey as they arrive at Pisidian Antioch (not the same Antioch as in 13:1):

a. At this point Paul and his companions were asked to speak in a Jewish Synagogue. What specific Old Testament references did Paul use to make a connection to Jesus?

b. What evidence did Paul give concerning Jesus’ Resurrection?

c. What effect did this “apologetic” presentation have on the people?

d. Discuss: How can we use Paul’s example of “apologetics” today?

Join us next week as we continue our “Case for the New Testament” and a study in Acts! 

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15