In both texts, I Peter 3:15 and Jude verses 3 and 4, the Bible commands us to defend the faith. In 1 Peter 3:15, the apostle writes to Christians exhorting them to sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts (i.e. give Christ first place in their hearts as their Lord) and encourages them to always be ready to give a defense (apologia) to everyone who asks them about the reason for the hope that is within them.
Jude, on the other hand, tells his audience and by extension he tells us as well, to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. He mentions how certain persons have crept in unnoticed to pervert the truth of God and to deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ. Bottom-line: we called to practice apologetics.
This week, as we look at the theme of “The Biblical Case for the Practice of Apologetics” these verses provide not only encouragement to us but also a challenge before us. Apologetics is a biblical as well as a necessary element in the life of the church and of a believer in Christ.
Answer the following questions as you respond to this week’s devotional:
- Why do you think Peter is asking Christians to give Christ first place in their hearts before thinking of apologetics?
- List two examples of persons or groups that have crept in the church unnoticed as was the case in Jude’s time of writing?
- In what ways is Christ and His truth being denied or perverted?
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