Paul said in Philippians 1:17, “…I am set for the defense of the gospel.” Paul used the term apologia here and in verse 7, from which we get our term apologetics. Though Paul may have had a broader application in mind, when the term apologetics is used in Christian circles today it refers particularly to the defense of the existence of God, the deity of Christ, and the inspiration of the Bible.
Whereas years ago in this country the great majority of people would have acknowledged these truths, it is not uncommon for members of the church in the United States to come in contact with people who deny them. Many colleges and universities of our nation are responsible for fomenting much of the skepticism in regard to these foundational truths of Christianity. More of our young people attend schools of higher education than a century ago and are exposed to teaching that undermines the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, and even sometimes the existence of God. Thus, we cannot presuppose these truths when dealing with every individual outside of the church. Some people will need proof that God exists, that Christ is God, or that the Bible is God’s word, and solely quoting a verse of scripture will not convert someone who does not believe the Bible.
From studying the Scriptures, it is evident that Paul was an educated man. Unlike many today, Paul’s much learning did not make him go crazy, as Festus accused (Acts 26:24), but was a tool for spreading the gospel. The Holy Spirit saw fit to use Paul’s knowledge of Cretian prophets in his letter to Titus (Titus 1:12) and Stoic and Epicurean poets in his discussion at the Areopagus (Acts 17:28). Thus, the Holy Spirit shows there is a use in studying other belief systems in order meet people with their own belief systems to bring them to the truth. In keeping with that example it is good for Christians to know, for example, what the general theory of evolution involves and the alleged evidence upon which it is based. If Paul by the Spirit of God could enter into an intelligent discussion on what certain poets and prophets of a different worldview said, then certainly as a Christian I can learn the theories and viewpoints of unbelievers today in order to answer them.
We should not fear proper education, nor hide our heads in the sand, so to speak, in regard learning what unbelievers teach in regard to the Bible. Truth never suffers from an open investigation of the facts. We can help fortify our own faith and improve our impact on the world by giving time to studying apologetics.

-Mark Day

It is possible to twist the scriptures, particularly those portions which are harder to understand, to one’s own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Satan misuses scripture to cloud the thinking of those he wishes to lead astray (Matthew 4:6), and he certainly has not gone out of business in the information age. We have so much information available to us nowadays, but much of it is bad information. When we fail to study for ourselves, but, instead, swallow whole what purported experts have to say, we make ourselves more susceptible to false teachers.

False teachers sometimes attempt to drag their objectors into deeper water so they can drown them in false doctrine. One example of this is the misuse of the original languages in which the Bible was written: Hebrew, Aramaic (in which only some very small portions of the Bible were written), and Greek. It is sad when those who are unlearned in the original languages concede to false teaching just because they believe going to the Hebrew or the Greek ultimately settles the matter. Thankfully, we have defenders of truth that are able to swim in these deeper waters of original languages and expose the falsehood. It is so good to have sound scholars in these original languages to consult from time to time.

Not every Christian needs to be a scholar in Hebrew and Greek to remain faithful to God. However, there is at least one principle in regard to consulting the original languages of the Bible of which every member of the church should be aware. It is context. How a word fits into the sentence in which it is used, as well as the paragraph, the book, and the overall teaching of the Bible is tremendously important. The chief component in deciding a meaning of a word is to see how it is used in its context. Though lexicons and other language tools can help us understand the origin and root meaning of word and its essential idea, Hebrew and Greek words are just like English words in the sense that their meaning depends on the context in which they are used. So if someone cites an original language in the Bible passage you are studying and gives you some grammatical rules that you don’t understand because you have never studied them, remember to consider if what they are saying will fit into the context of the passage at hand. Hebrew and Greek lexicographers and grammarians are too often looked to as the ultimate authority when in reality they too must consider the context and do some interpretation in arriving at the meaning of a word.

Do not be overwhelmed by the use of languages unknown to you. Though they are a benefit to those who take the time to learn them, you can know what the Bible says by consulting some reliable English translations and remembering to consider the context.

–Mark Day

Paul reminded the Corinthians, who were arrogant in spite of their many spiritual flaws, to examine themselves. In regard to the manner of observing the Lord’s Supper, Paul said, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” In regard to the manner in which we approach the Lord in worship we should examine our motives and actions. Later, in 2 Corinthians, after responding to their scrutiny of him, Paul bids them to take a taste of their own medicine by saying, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” The Corinthians, like all Christians, needed to do a spiritual inventory to make sure they had enough of the proper faith.
If we are honest with ourselves, we will recognize our shortcomings and see the need for improvements in our Christian lives. In our prayers, we should be like the apostles who on one occasion called on the Lord to increase their faith (Luke 17:5). Like the father of the demoniac who cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24), we also have a part of us that believes and a part of us that doubts. We must increase that part which believes.
How do we increase our faith? By imbibing of the word of God. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” At the Jerusalem conference, Peter mentioned the conversion of the first Gentiles by saying, “Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe” (Acts 15:7). The word of the gospel is how faith comes and how it increases. We must take time to read and meditate upon God’s word so that we have sufficient faith (Psalm 1:1-3; 119:97; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15).
Times will come in our lives when our faith is tested. It will either become firmer or fail. When the apostles were out on the sea caught in a terrible storm they feared; Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25). When it comes to the storms of life, where is your faith? Will you have fortified your faith enough to remain true to God even in dark days? James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” If our faith passes the test, then we can be assured that God will carry us through to the heavenly goal. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Ask yourself these questions about your faith:
Where is my faith?
Is my faith stronger now than when I obeyed the gospel?
Am I more active in the work of the Lord now than one, five, or ten years ago?
Do I visit the sick?
Do I have personal Bible studies with others?
How much time a week, beside that spent in regular church services, do I take to spend time in prayer and Bible study alone and with my family?

-Mark Day

As Christians, we ought to look to our Lord as the ultimate example of service. What the Bible reveals about what He did for people during the brief time He lived on this earth stirs within us a desire imitate Him who, “…came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Our Lord gave up His place in heaven to relate to mankind in a very personal way (John 1:14; Philippians 2:4-7). He was very present with each individual with whom He came in contact, and His one-on-one work with individuals left them forever changed (John 4). The multitudes thronged about Him (Luke 8:42), and He had compassion on them because they were as sheep having no shepherd (Mark 6:34). Whether it was early in the morning (Luke 21:38) or late at night (John 3:2), He made Himself available to assist people in learning the truth that would save their souls.
However, the One who came down from heaven did not spent all of His time healing people and answering questions about God’s word. He also spent time alone in prayer and meditation. Even though His overall mission was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), He on occasions withdrew Himself (Luke 5:16). In fact He did not even begin public service until the proper age of thirty (Luke 3:23). Think about it. If Jesus spent time growing in knowledge and wisdom before embarking on His public ministry (Luke 2:52), and if He spent time helping His disciples learn before sending them out into all the world to continue the work (Mark 1:17; John 14:9), then should we not spend time preparing to serve prior to embarking into service?
Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” Is it wisdom’s course to take time to sharpen the ax before laying into the tree? Yes. Though no tree chopping is taking place during the sharpening process, the overall process of felling the tree will be more efficient with a sharp blade. Satan has made sure that we have plenty of false ideas growing up all around us. Now we can hack away at them with a dull ax and eventually get the job done, but we can cut down much more of the forest of falsehoods if we have spent the proper time getting sharp. It makes sense to take some time preparing to do the work God has given us to do.
Thus time alone in study and prayer is not selfish, it can actually be a part of service to others. Wouldn’t your time spent in relating to others in evangelism or edification be helped by your own personal development? What if you knew the exact passage to direct some to that would help their misunderstanding? What if you did not overreact to an insult because you had spent quality time in prayer that day? What if you had so prepared yourself that you could be a blessing to everyone who would see your example or seek your counsel? That is what Jesus did. Though there are a host of differences between Jesus and us due to His nature as God in the flesh, He still spent time preparing and we should too.

-Mark Day

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133

It is an awesome thing when people work together toward a common goal. An athletic team that truly works as a team can accomplish things far beyond expectations. A business where all the employees cooperate and are productive will likely achieve great success. In like manner, the church has the potential for accomplishing great things in God’s sight. The condition, however, is that we work together. Since we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), we must learn that 1) everyone has a place in the body and 2) that everyone must do the work he/she is capable of doing. Please consider the following observations:

When the church works together…
• There will be less bickering and more forgiveness (Philippians 4:2).
• There will be less criticism and more encouragement (Hebrews 10:24).
• There will be less excuses and more evangelism (Acts 2:46, 47).
• There will be less selfishness and more selflessness (Philippians 2:3, 4).
• There will be less discussion of personal preferences and more Bible study and seeking to know the will of God (Ephesians 5:17).
• There will be less worry about the future and more prayer for the strength and courage to face the future ((1 Thessalonians 5:17).
• There will be less dissatisfaction with worship and more concentration on God himself within our worship (John 4:24).
• There will be less individual glory and more glory to God (Matthew 5:16).

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:1-3

-by Lance Cordle, Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY
as printed in January 2005 Bulletin Digest