Apologetics and Church Growth

Church Growth in the 1st Century The NT church experienced rapid growth (Acts 2:47; 5:14; 6:7; 8:6, 12; 16:5; 17:4; 19:10, 26; 21:10) Why this growth? What factors caused this? Let us consider the role that apologetics played in church growth

What is Apologetics? Apologetics is not just for “scholars”, but for all of us Apologetics (Gr. ἀπολογία ) is simply offering a defense for what you believe, who you are, or how you have acted (Ac. 22:1; 25:16; 1 Cor. 9:3; 2 Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1:7, 16; 2 Tim. 4:16; 1 Pet. 3:15)

The Apologetics of Peter Peter used apologetics in Jerusalem in Acts 2 “Approved” in v. 22: from the Gr. ἀποδείκνυμι meaning “show by proof, demonstrate, set forth” “Witnesses” in v. 32 A sermon with reason and revelation

The Apologetics of Paul Paul used apologetics in Damascus in Acts 9 “Proving” in v. 22: from the Gr. συμβιβάζω meaning “to put together in reasoning or logic; to conclude, demonstrate, or prove”

The Apologetics of Paul Paul used apologetics in Thessalonica and Berea in Acts 17 “Reasoned” in v. 2: from the Gr. διαλέγομαι meaning to thoroughly reach a conclusion through dialogue “Opening” in v. 3: from the Gr. διανοίγω meaning to fully explain (see Lk. 24:32, 45)

The Apologetics of Paul “Alleging” in v. 3: from the Gr. παρατίθημι meaning “to set forth as evidence” “Persuaded” in v. 4: from the Gr. πείθω meaning “to be induced by words to believe” (see also 18:4; 19:8, 26; 28:23)

The Apologetics of Paul Paul used apologetics in Athens in Acts 17 “Reasoned” in v. 17 (the same word as 17:2) Paul “reasoned” about God using three logical points: 1) God doesn’t need a temple, 2) God is known, 3) God is not like gold or silver

The Apologetics of Paul Paul used apologetics in Corinth and Ephesus in Acts 18-19 “Reasoning” in 18:4, 18:19, and 19:8-9 (the same word as 17:2; see also 20:7, 9; 24:25)

The Apologetics of Apollos Apollos used apologetics in Corinth in Acts 18 “Confuted” (refuted) in v. 28: from the Gr. διακατελέγχομαι meaning to 1) utterly or thoroughly 2) put down 3) by convicting what is wrong “Showing” in v. 28

Church Growth Today Proving and reasoning Explaining and showing evidence Persuading to believe Thoroughly refuting wrong

Church Growth Today Sermons filled with apologetics Use our Bible classes to learn what to say to others Public messages like a radio program Private conversations with others outside the church building