The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 seems to be the climax of all Christian theology, disciplines and practices: Making disciples of all nations to the glory of Christ. In Acts 17:1-3, we see the Apostle Paul embarking on this very mission and passionately pursuing this mandate of making Christ and His gospel known in all the places that he visits. It is interesting to note that Paul does not merely announce the good news and expect people to blindly believe his message. Instead, he explains and clarifies the gospel by showing people who Jesus is. He says, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ” (Acts 17: 3). In other words, he is using apologetics to fulfill the Great Commission.
This week we will look at how apologetics cannot be practiced apart from the Great Commission. In other words, the primary goal of apologetics is to evangelize. It is a tool we use to win souls for Christ. Apologetics is not a discipline that targets winning debates although debates might inevitably characterize the discipline. The concern of apologetics is to love God with all our mind and to cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God who alone can convert souls, bring them to faith in Christ and sustain them throughout all their Christian life. Once this sinks into our minds, we will do the work of apologetics not only to show our hearers the truth but also to show them we love and care about them and that our faith is not simply blind faith.
Answer the following questions:
- The primary goal of apologetics is to win souls for Christ. Support this claim biblically.
- What lessons do we learn from the Apostle Paul in his endeavors to spread the gospel?
- Some people claim that Apologetics is not necessary. Explain why they are wrong.
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