1. Apologetics and Church Growth

2. 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

3. 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; Cor. 7:11; Phil. 1:7, 16; 2 Tim. 4:16; Pet. 3:15)

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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)

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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)

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

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

12. 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