Apologia

I Pet. 3:15 15 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:

Sanctify- set apart, give a special place

ready :- prepared, (made) ready

always- perpetually,

answer- To answer; to reply; to defend; to explain. It means a decision, response, discovery, solution.

apologia,  ap-ol-og-ee’-ah; from the same as Greek 626 (apologeomai); a plea (“apology”) :- answer (for self), clearing of self, defence.

Luke 12:11 (KJV)

And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

Acts 22:1 ¶ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Acts 24:10 (KJV)

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

Acts 25:16 (KJV)

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

Acts 26:2 (KJV)

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

Essentials of a good defence!

I. Who are you?

A. Identify yourself John 3:1 “ a man of the Pharisees, a ruler of the Jews.”

II.Who or what did God use to bring you to Christ?

A. Faith comes by hearing. Romans 10: 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hear Word of God an event or an individual is necessary.

B. Deliverer necessary- Rom. 10: 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

III. What did you find out about yourself?

A. None are righteous. Rom. 3: 10 Is. 64:6 ¶ But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

B. All have sinned Rom. 3:23

C. Sin is not meeting up to God’s standard. Rom. 5:12,

D. Sin produces death. Rom. 6:23,

E. We are all condemned before God. John 3:18,36

Man in his original state is under the wrath of God. - eternal separation from God. Those outside the ark were condemned because they did not heed the warning that God gave them. All mankind needs to know that they need to be born again. John 3:3,6

IV. What did God do?

A. Sent HIS son. John 3:16,

B. Loved us Rom. 5: 8;I John 4:9,10 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Propitiation- Satisfaction, turn away anger

V. What do we need to do?

A. Repent of our sins. Luke 13:3,5 II Peter 3:9

B.. Receive Christ John 1:12 He is the only way. John 14:6

How does one do this?

C. Call upon his name. Rom. 10:9,10,13 Ask CHRIST to enter your life.

D. Believe, trust, faith in Christ. Acts 16:30-32

Conclusion: We need to have a good defense when we give our testimonies of salvation. Is there enough evidence in our testimonies to convict us of the charge, I am a Christian?