Answers for Church Members

Understanding the relationship between apologetics and evangelism is crucial for effective Christian outreach, as these two concepts are often misunderstood or conflated. By recognizing the distinct differences between defending the truth of the Christian faith (apologetics) and sharing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ (evangelism), Christians can better navigate conversations with non-believers and share their hope with greater confidence.

The Bible teaches that sharing the gospel is not contingent on building a relationship first, as evidenced by the apostles' bold witness to thousands of people in Acts 2 and 17. While relationships can be beneficial in evangelism, providing insight into a person's existing worldview and highlighting the uniqueness of one's faith, they are not a prerequisite for sharing the gospel.

The altar call, a common practice in evangelical churches, can be misleading and deceptive, leading people to believe they are saved when in fact they have not truly repented of their sins or trusted in Christ. By focusing on outward responses rather than genuine faith and repentance, the altar call threatens to replace God's established way for Christians to publicly profess their faith through baptism.

The gospel message is a powerful call to repentance and faith in Christ, requiring a delicate balance between urgency, joy, and respect in its delivery. Effective evangelism must convey the gravity of God's judgment while sharing the life-changing news of salvation with compassion and humility.

The New Testament emphasizes that all Christians are called to evangelize, as seen in the examples of early disciples who preached the word wherever they went. By sharing the gospel with others, Christians demonstrate their love for their neighbors and fulfill a fundamental aspect of their faith.

The doctrine of hell is not a deterrent to the gospel, but rather an integral part of it, highlighting the severity of sin and the justice of God's character. By understanding the horror of hell, we are able to appreciate the magnitude of God's love and mercy in sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins.

Discerning the need for new doctrinal boundaries can be a challenging task, but certain criteria can help identify when it is necessary to reevaluate existing teachings. By considering factors such as the potential impact on other doctrines, spiritual harm, historical pedigree, and the behavior of its advocates, Christians can make informed decisions about whether to establish or modify boundaries to protect their faith.

Churches are called to silence false teaching in order to protect their health and ministry, as Jesus holds leaders accountable for sound doctrine. By drawing doctrinal boundaries, churches can prevent the spread of spiritually destructive false teaching and refocus on their core mission, rather than getting bogged down in endless controversies.

Christians working together in ministry require a minimum level of theological agreement about the gospel, with varying degrees of consensus needed for specific tasks such as church governance and baptism. Despite differences in local church affiliation, Christians can collaborate on broader initiatives like evangelism and preaching through less stringent agreements on peripheral matters.

Determining the relative importance of theological doctrines requires consideration of their proximity to the core gospel message and practical impact on the Christian life. While some doctrines, such as those defining the Trinity and justification by faith alone, are essential to the faith, others, like baptismal subjects and church government, while less central, still hold significant value in shaping the Christian community.

Understanding biblical theology is essential for a Christian's discipleship and growth as it provides a framework for understanding one's place within God's larger story. By grasping the overarching narrative of Scripture, Christians can gain perspective, hope, and direction in their daily lives, illuminating the relevance of every part of the Bible to their own journey with Christ.

A pastor's ministry is not about personal power or persuasion, but about proclaiming God's Word to bring about spiritual transformation. By preaching expositionally, pastors tap into the transformative power of God's Spirit working through his Word, leading to genuine conversions and growth among believers.

Expositional preaching is a unique approach to sermon delivery that begins with the Bible, allowing Scripture to guide the message and its application to the congregation's lives. By focusing on the text itself, rather than the preacher's agenda or personal anecdotes, expositional preaching seeks to convict sinners of their need for God and call them to repentance and faith in Christ.

An expositional sermon is a straightforward approach that focuses on exposing the main point of a biblical passage and its relevance to everyday life. By stripping away unnecessary complexity and staying true to the original text, expositional sermons aim to make Scripture's timeless truths accessible and applicable to modern audiences.

Expositional preaching is often misunderstood as a dry, academic lecture, but it's actually a powerful tool for instructing, edifying, and convicting listeners by clearly communicating the main point of a biblical text. By discerning the meaning of Scripture and applying it to their audience, preachers can create sermons that are both informative and transformative, rather than simply presenting a series of facts or inspirational anecdotes.