CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS:Prime Reality

1 Peter 3:15

• but 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, 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

1 Corinthians 1:21,23

• For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 1 Cor 1:21 (ESV)

• but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles 1 Cor 1:23 (ESV)

Romans 10:9-11

• because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11 (ESV)

Defending What?

• “the hope that is in you”• The Christian Worldview• One Holy Triune God who has revealed

Himself universally in nature and specifically through Jesus Christ and Scripture.

Not Defending…

• Religion• Supernaturalism• Any supreme being

Types of Defense

• Pragmatic• Experiential• Presuppositional – Transcendental• Evidential – Classical

• Always base your argument on Scripture• Anything else is used to confirm Scripture, not

replace it

6 Basic Worldview Components

• Prime Reality• Universe• People• History• Knowledge• Moral Values, Moral Duties & Aesthetics

Prime Reality Options

• One Holy Triune God• Other god• Matter in motion• Illusion• Irrelevant

Prime Realty: One Holy Triune God

• One God in Three Persons• God’s attributes– Transcendent – Independent – Eternal – Intimate – Personal – Relational – Creator – Sustainer – Sovereign– Just – Judge – Wrath– Loving – Merciful – Gracious

Prime Reality: Triune God’s Special Revelation

• The Bible– 2Timothy 3:16– Inerrant– Infallible– Absolute Truth– Universal Truth– Objective Truth– Complete– Final Authority

Prime Reality:Jesus Christ Is God & Man & Savior

The Incarnation Is True

• Jesus’ personal claims• Jesus’ birth fulfilled prophecies• Jesus’ life and death fulfilled prophecies• Jesus was perfect• Jesus performed 35 recorded miracles• Jesus’ followers testified about Him

Jesus’ Personal Claims

• 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matt 5:17 (ESV)

• 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 (ESV)

• 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (ESV)

Jesus’ Personal Claims

• 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7 (ESV)

• I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 (ESV)

Jesus’ Coming Fulfilled Prophecies

• 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15 (ESV)

• and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, Gen 22:18 (ESV)

• The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Gen 49:10 (ESV)

Jesus’ Coming Fulfilled Prophecies

• Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

• There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 (ESV)

• “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. Jer 23:5 (ESV)

Jesus’ Coming Fulfilled Prophecies

• But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2 (ESV)

• Must be before 70 AD

Jesus’ Life and Death Fulfilled Prophecies

• Psalm 2• Psalm 22• Isaiah 35:5-6• Isaiah 40:3• Isaiah 53• Zechariah 9:9; 11:12-13

Jesus Was Perfect

• 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” John 8:29 (ESV)

• For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Heb 4:15 (ESV)

Jesus Performed Miracles

• And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Matt 11:4-6 (ESV)

Jesus’ Followers Testified About Him

• In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3 (ESV)

• And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John 1:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus’ Followers Testified About Him

• Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matt 16:16 (ESV)

• 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18 (ESV)

Jesus’ Followers Testified About Him

• For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Cor 15:3-8 (ESV)

Prime Reality: Jesus Christ’s Resurrection is True

• Jesus died by crucifixion• Jesus was buried in a new rock tomb• Jesus’ followers were afraid and discouraged• The empty tomb• Many eyewitnesses • The disciples transformation• The conversion of Paul• The conversion of James• The Christian Church• Sunday worship

Prime Realty

• There is only One Holy Triune God who created all things and has revealed Himself universally in nature and specifically through Jesus Christ and Scripture.

PRIORITIES: J – O – Y

• 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 1 Cor 10:31-33 (ESV)