Why Every Believer Should Be An Apologist
In a previous article, I gave my own definition of what apologetics is. I think that definition lays the groundwork for what I am going to write in this article. Every believer is called to be a witness for Christ, share the Gospel, and disciple others into Christians who can then do the same as they in evangelism and discipleship. Every Christian is called to be a “disciple-making disciple.” Discipleship isn’t just for the leadership of our local churches to handle. Yes, they should be able to raise up leaders and help people to move forward in being better disciples. However, the sole responsibility is not, and should not, be on them. Jesus told us so. Consider the words of our Lord:
“Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus was not giving a special command to only the 11 apostles. No, he was commanding every disciple from every age to be doing these things. The Greek word for disciples in Matthew 28:16 and the Greek Word for “make disciples” here in verse 19 are from the same root word that means the same exact thing. While the apostles had some elevated status with regard to certain spiritual gifts and other matters—like penning Scripture, for example—this was before the book of Acts. It was even before the ascension! This means that his disciples were still just ordinary folks, operating under the authority of Jesus’ commands.
We are the same as these ordinary people. Jesus commands us to go make disciples. Discipling is not just the job of a pastor or teacher. It is the job of every single Christian who is walking this earth. In doing so, we are helping those believers who are new to the faith and may have doubts, questions, or just be hungry for a deeper relationship with God. What’s the point of this article then? Why should every believer be an apologist?
Let me explain why I think so. Our culture is diverse, relativistic, and mixed together. It is much like the culture of the early apostles and the pastors they wrote to, specifically Paul. Think about how much Timothy had to defend the faith in Ephesus, or the pastors that Paul raised and had appointed in Corinth. Those cities were large cities, both were port cities (which meant international influence from all different cultures), and at the time were under the control of the Roman Empire. This led to all kinds of pluralistic doctrines, false teachings, and cults arising in his day. Does this sound familiar? This also does not include any political unrest in the cities, any persecution (whether physical, social, or otherwise) that the believers may have been experiencing, or any sins that these believers were still trying to overcome.
If you think about it, apologetics probably was a necessary part of their discipleship. Granted, we don’t know exactly what Timothy’s discipleship programs looked like. Honestly, it was probably nothing like ours today, especially since he studied under a spiritual giant like the Apostle Paul. Nonetheless, I am sure Timothy had to instruct his congregation on how to handle objections to their faith and practice in his pluralistic culture.
I think about today’s culture. We are much more similar to these pluralistic religious melting pots than some people want to realize. Apologetics isn’t about being defensive or arguing with a fencepost about the existence of God. Argumentative spirits and defensiveness should have no place in the witness of a Christian. It matters not how zealous you are for truth if you cannot exercise compassion towards those for whom Christ died. I struggled with this for a long time, until I realized that love wins more people to an audience than being uncompassionate with the truth ever will. Some people may try and disguise their lack of compassion as being “uncompromising on sin.” While Christians are called to live by and vow to obey a certain moral code, we cannot make this a means through which we coerce people to convert based on adherence to a moral code.
Yes, the truth will often offend those who may not be ready or able to hear it. I say let it be the truth that offends and not the Christian that offends. Let it never be said of us that we brought such shame to the name of Jesus Christ that someone rejected the Gospel because of our behavior. Apologetics for every believer should look like the questions, doubts, concerns, and problems that are in your community. You should be able to effectively address those things so that you can be an instrument of the Holy Spirit in turning hearts towards Jesus Christ. However, this requires that the Christian be in relationship with individuals that are not Christians and may not even be religious. Some may have a problem with this, but why would you? After all, Jesus saved his harshest words and rhetoric for the religious elite of his day, while he dined with and loved on the adulterers, tax collectors, and sinners.
Consider the words of our Lord once more:
““While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Now when he heard this, he said, “It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners.””
The most powerful apologetic is the life you live. Let us make sure we are living that life in and around folks who are longing for hope and willing to go anywhere to find that hope. This is an open door for Jesus to step in and help them, and in turn, we get to experience the joy of leading someone Christ, helping to disciple them, and watching them repeat this process with their friends, family, coworkers, and more!
[1] Matt. 28:18-20, Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2020.
[2] Matt. 9:10-13, Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2020.