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How to Defend the Gospel with Unbelievers
How to Defend the Gospel
Defending the Gospel and discussing apologetics with someone who doesn’t believe can be an amazing opportunity to plant seeds of faith.
The key is to approach the conversation with love, humility, and respect.
Here are some steps to guide you in your discussions, along with scripture to back them up.
1. Pray First
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and soften their heart. Defending the Gospel isn’t just an intellectual task—it’s a spiritual encounter.
Scripture: For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10:20 NKJV)
2. Listen and Ask Questions
Instead of jumping right into arguments, ask what they believe and why. This opens the door for meaningful dialogue and shows that you care about them as a person.
Wisdom Nugget: A good defense listens first—because love listens.
Scripture: Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
(James 1:19 NKJV)
Example Question:
What do you think about the idea of truth?
Do you think there is an ultimate truth about life?
3. Point to the Truth of Jesus’ Resurrection
The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity, and apologetics often focuses on proving its historicity. If the resurrection is true, Jesus is who He said He was. Use evidence and scriptures to point to this reality.
Scripture: And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.(1 Corinthians 15:14 NKJV)
- Apologetics Point: Share historical points like the empty tomb, eyewitness testimonies, and how the disciples lives radically changed after seeing the risen Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).
4. Show that Belief in God is Reasonable
Many people assume that belief in God isn’t rational. Use apologetics to address common concerns (like science vs. faith) and show that Christianity is intellectually credible.
Apologetics Point:
- The cosmological argument (everything that begins to exist has a cause; the universe must have a cause—God).
- The moral argument (objective moral values exist, and God is the best explanation for their existence).
Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 NKJV)
5. Present the Gospel Simply and Clearly
Don’t just stay in the realm of apologetics—be sure to share the Good News of Jesus Christ: God loves us, but sin separates us from Him. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have forgiveness and eternal life.
Scripture: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NKJV)
6. Show the Impact of Jesus in Your Life
One of the most powerful ways to defend the Gospel is through your personal testimony. When they see how Jesus has changed your life, it makes faith personal and real to them.
Scripture: Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
(1 Peter 3:15 NKJV)
My Wisdom Nugget:A changed life is an unshakable testimony.
7. Be Patient and Trust the Holy Spirit
You’re planting seeds, not necessarily harvesting. Don’t be discouraged if the person doesn’t believe immediately—God works in His timing.
Scripture: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
(1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV)
Sample Response Using Scripture and Apologetics
I understand you might have questions about faith and whether God is real. One thing I keep coming back to is the resurrection of Jesus. If He really rose from the dead, it proves that He is God and everything He said is true (1 Corinthians 15:14).
Even historians agree that something happened to the disciples that changed them radically. And for me personally, Jesus has given me peace and joy that I never had before (Philippians 4:7).
My Final Thought:
Remember, love is your strongest apologetic (John 13:35). Stay patient, share the truth boldly, but always with compassion. Some plant truth seeds, others water them, but God makes them grow. Trust in His plan!
Written by: Stephanie Smith
With Stephanie Smith Ministries
MORE ON APOLOGETICS
Apologetics-is the branch of Christian theology that involves defending and explaining the faith.
The word comes from the Greek term apologia, meaning "a reasoned defense" or "speaking in defense."
In simple terms, apologetics helps believers give logical answers to difficult questions about Christianity, such as:
- How do we know God exists?
- Is the Bible reliable?
- Why does God allow suffering?
- Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
It equips Christians to lovingly engage with skeptics, atheists, or people from other religions by addressing doubts, objections, and misconceptions about the Gospel.
Biblical Foundation for Apologetics
The Bible encourages believers to always be prepared to defend their faith:
1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV):
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
This verse highlights two essentials for apologetics:
1. Be prepared to explain your faith.
2. Do it with love and respect—not argumentatively.
Why is Apologetics Important?
1. Strengthens Your Faith
- Apologetics provides answers to hard questions that help believers grow deeper in their faith.
- Example: If you know why the resurrection is historically reliable, it builds confidence in your faith.
2. Removes Barriers to Belief
- Many people reject Christianity because of intellectual doubts. Apologetics can remove these stumbling blocks, making it easier for them to hear the Gospel.
- Example: The cosmological argument shows it’s reasonable to believe the universe had a Creator.
3. Prepares You for Evangelism
- When we share the Gospel, people often ask tough questions. Apologetics helps you respond with truth and grace.
Examples of Common Apologetics Topics
1. God’s Existence – Using logic, science, and philosophy (e.g., the Cosmological Argument or Moral Argument).
2. Reliability of the Bible – Showing that Scripture is historically accurate and trustworthy.
3. Problem of Evil and Suffering– Explaining how God can exist despite the presence of suffering.
4. The Resurrection of Jesus – Providing historical evidence for Christ’s resurrection.
Apologetics in Action :
Imagine you’re sharing your faith with someone, and they ask, How can you believe in God when science explains everything?
- You might respond: Actually, many scientists believe in God, because science doesn’t answer everything—it tells us how things work, but not why they exist at all. In fact, the universe having a beginning points to a Creator (Genesis 1:1).
My Final Thought….
Apologetics isn’t about winning arguments—it’s about winning hearts. As you engage in these conversations, always rely on the Holy Spirit and remember: Your goal is to lovingly share the truth of Jesus, not just prove you’re right.
Colossians 4:6 (NKJV): Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
From: Stephanie Smith
With Stephanie Smith Ministries www.StephanieSmithMinistries.org
