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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

1 Peter 3:15

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3

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PICTURE

START

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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

1 Peter 3:15

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Why are we doing this?

• 1 Peter 3:15

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15. but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always

being ready to make a defensedefense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,

yet with gentleness and reverence;

-Peter 3:15 NAU

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Why are we doing this?

• In 1 Peter 3:15• Apologia

– Means to give a defence

– Used in the phrase, “Defence of the Gospel”

• Phil. 1:7• Phil. 1:16

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How do we do this?• Be “Sleq”

– Start– Listen– Evaluate– Question

• Write if possible– I write stuff down while they

speak, if I can

• Look for “hiccup”

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IGOR

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“Sleq” Apologetics

• Start with their questions

• Listen to their answers

• Evaluate their words

• Ask questions about what they said

• Who is in focus here?

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Start with their Questions

• What are they wondering?

• What did they comment on?

• What are they criticizing?

• Igor – “The Bible is full of errors?”

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Listen to their Answers• Good time to write down statements

– This can freak some out, but once you explain that you want to listen well, it’s cool.

– You can also keep your latter questions focused by pointing at things they actually said.

– Make sure to keep good eye contact, though.

• Focus on buzz words

• Do not go “A.D.D.” on them – stick to THIS discussion

• Igor – “A million errors in the Bible?!?”

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Evaluate their Words• Pick out buzz words

• Organize thoughts

• Ask for clarification

• Igor – “What do you mean by ‘errors’? Based on what?”

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Ask Questions about what they Said

• Ask for more clarification

• Test with hypotheticals

• Offer conclusions/comparisons

• Igor – “Can we talk about the top 50?”

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Points of Concern• No one saved in a

debate

• The point is to listen

• Look for a “hiccup”

• Show respect

• And…

• The point is to Listen!

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Terms of Distance

• Syllogism

• Exegetical Fallacies

• Cultural Influence

• Stereotyping

• Main/Predicate bait and switch

• Incorrect Hermeneutical Logic

• Categorical Switch of Truth/Culture

• Much like a practical syllogism – a blanket assumption

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Terms of Distance

• Caricatures

• Micro-Argumentation

• Emotional Rejection/Distrust

• Wrong Definition

• Disproportionate Stereotyping

• An overemphasis on secondary Doctrine as Primary

• Negative experience that is real

• Wrong Definition

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Terms of Distance

• Doctrinal Conclusions

• Satanic Influence

• Genuine thoughtful doctrinal view, opposing biblical Christianity

• Spiritual warfare is real

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Two Big categories• Doctrinal Issues

• Personal Issues

• Which is it?

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The Big Question

WHAT HAPPENED?

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A Walk Back Home: A Progression of Degree to gain

ground• Is it Possible?

• Is it Probable?

• Is it Likely?

• Is it Actual?

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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

1 Peter 3:15

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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

1 Peter 3:15

an example

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Question #1

Cults, World Religions, Christianity & The Gospel

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Key Verse

2 Corinthians 11:4(Context of all of Chapters 10 & 11

– Specifically 11:1-4)

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4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. (NAU)

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Key Indicators

• Another Jesus

• A Different Spirit

• Another Gospel

• K.I.S.S. method - simplicity

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Brief overview of Mormon experience

• Met with a couple (Fosbergs) that we bought our Corgi from

• They had suffered a lot of loss and little to no aid from their Baptist and Methodist backgrounds

• Mormons helped them a lot

• They thought they were still in a Christian church

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Mormons – The Dialog

• Generally, one of two situations– New Mormons– Elders at the Door

• Most successful pseudo-Christian cult

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The Fosbergs – New Mormons

• Thought it was Christianity

• Came from “Christian” backgrounds

• Something usually happens

• Zealous about newfound faith

• Attempted to go to Scripture

• Clarified for me on doctrines on “topic”

• “Hiccup”

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The Topic – Three Heavens• Doctrine

– Terrestrial Heaven– Telestial Heaven– Celestial Heaven

• Text – They could not find, but 2 Cor. 12:2• Question – “Why three heavens?”

– Why are three needed?

– Answer: Because God would never send away even a wayward child – only deny Christ get’s you sent away.

• Question – “What about Matt. 7:21-22; 25:41?”• “I never thought of that before . . .” - “Hiccup”

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SO…• Are we really

debating?

• What are we doing?

• Key verse and 3 indicators with cults?

• Is Mormonism Christianity?

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SO…• Are we really

debating? NO

• What are we doing? Listening

• Key verse and 3 indicators with cults? 2 Cor. 11:4

• Is Mormonism Christianity? NO

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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

further examples

1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15

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REVIEWFirst . . .

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Answering Biblical Questions

Apologetically Without Being

Sorry

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apologeticsapologetics. Occasionally called eristics, apologetics is the formal defense of the Christian faith.

Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 13.

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Not to be confused with…..

Apologizing

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Why are we doing this?

• 1 Peter 3:15

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15. but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always

being ready to make a defensedefense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,

yet with gentleness and reverence;

-Peter 3:15 NAU

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Why are we doing this?

• In 1 Peter 3:15• Apologia

– Means to give a defence

– Used in the phrase, “Defence of the Gospel”

• Phil. 1:7• Phil. 1:16

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How do we do this?

• Be “Sleq”– Start– Listen– Evaluate– Question

• Write if possible

• Look for “hiccup”

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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

further examples

1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15

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Cults and Religions Discussed

• Mormonism

• Jehovah’s Witnesses

• Catholicism

• 7th Day Adventists

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REALLY??!! CATHOLICS??!!

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Key verse for cults• 2 Corinthians 11:4• For if For if one comes and one comes and

preaches preaches another Jesus another Jesus whom we have not whom we have not preached, or you preached, or you receive a receive a different spirit different spirit which you have not which you have not received, or a received, or a different different gospel which you have gospel which you have not accepted, you not accepted, you bear bear this this beautifully. beautifully.

• Another Jesus

• Another Spirit

• Another Gospel

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So, what about?...?

• Mormons

• Jehovah’s Witnesses

• 7th Day Adventists

• Catholics

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Mormons and 11:4

• Jesus is just a spirit child of “the gods” (Mary and Adam), who’s brother is Lucifer and is our “elder brother.”

• The Spirit is just a fluid dispensed for living, which is dictated by legalism.

• The Gospel is one where the atonement of Christ only removes past guilt and sins and enables one to work for salvation.

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Mormons and other doctrines

• Historically founded by Joseph Smith in early 1800’s

• Claims special revelation from angel Moroni

• The Bible needs the Book of Mormon+– Cultic formulation of so-called revelation– About 25,000 words verbatim with KJV– Multiple historical inaccuracies and changes

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Keep in Mind…

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Jehovah’s Witnesses and 11:4

• Jesus is first creation of Jehovah, known as Michael before – He is a god.

• The Spirit is just an “it”, an impersonal force.

• The Gospel is one where the atonement of Christ only puts us back to pre-Adam status and enables one to work for salvation.

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J.W.’s and other doctrines• Historically founded by Charles Russell in

late 1800’s, which most JW’s will deny

• Deny doctrine of Trinity

• Teach annihilation

• The New World Translation is extremely problematic– No textual Criticism– Terrible handling of original languages– All hermeneutics go through Watchtower

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Keep in Mind…

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7th Day Adventists and 11:4

• Jesus is also referred to as Michael in the Scriptures.

• The Spirit is essentially the same as Scripture, but not a Helper.

• The Gospel is one of legalistic works, following the Old Testament laws, although inconsistently. Christ’s atonement is not yet complete.

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7DA and other doctrines

• Historically founded by William Miller in mid-1800’s

• Claims the writings of Ellen G. White are inspired interpretations

• White’s writings are equal with Scripture

• They teach soul-sleep and annihilation

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Keep in Mind…

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Catholics and 11:4

• Jesus is viewed Scripturally, although often still on the cross.

• The Spirit is essentially the same as Scripture.

• The Gospel is one of legalistic works, in which the church is vicar of God and dispenses favor and salvation in a works fashion, historically without integrity.

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Catholics and other doctrines

• The Saints are mediators (1 Tim 2:5)

• Mary is co-redemptress (Acts 4:12)

• The Pope has special revelation authority (2 Peter 1:20-21)

• Priest/Pope is vicar (1 Peter 2:9)

• Pedobaptism (Acts 2:38)

• Purgatory (2 Cor. 5:6-9; Heb. 9:27)

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Keep in Mind…

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The Gospel

a brief presentation…

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The Terms• Gospel• Saved, Savior,

Salvation• Sin• Repent, repentance• Jesus• Wrath• Judgment• Belief

• Election• Grace• Faith• Adoption• Confess• Rebirth• Calling• Death• Man

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The Terms, cont.• Propitiation• Reconciliation• Conversion• Regeneration• Redemption• Atonement• Righteousness• Conviction• Sanctification

• Notitia (Intellectual)– Intellectual

understanding

• Assensus (Emotional)– Conviction,

acceptance

• Fiducia (Volitional)– Trust, belief

• Sola Gratia• Sola Fide

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Some Terms Defined

• Gospel – “Good News” –euangellion• Saved – protected, secured from harm or

destruction (Ps. 3:8, 62:1-12; Rom. 10:9-10)

• Sin – disunity with the character of God, disobedience (Romans 3:23)

• Jesus – God, the Son, Who’s death on the cross brought the opportunity of life (1 Thess. 1:10)

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Some Terms Defined• Belief – Intellectual/emotional conviction of

truth appropriated to ones motivational world view (Rom. 1:16, 4:3; Heb 11:6)

• Faith – hearing God and doing what you are told (Hebrews 11)

• Repentance – a change of heart/mind, resulting in a change of action (from-to) (1 Thess. 1:9; Acts 11:18; 2 Cor. 7:10; 2 Timothy 2:25)

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Some Terms Defined• Grace – unmerited favor, gift from God

(Eph. 2:8)

• Death – separation, negative relationship - ad infinitum

• Re-birth (Regeneration) – being recreated new in Christ, by God (John 3, 2 Cor. 5:17)

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Some Terms Defined• Reconciliation – positive relationship

restored

• Atonement – debt covering

• Propitiation – diversion of wrath

• Redemption – buying back

• Any others?

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The GospelThe Gospel, simply stated is: the Good News of God as regards the bad news of sin, namely that because all men* are sinners and all men sin, all men earn the penalty of sin which is death. This death is brought about by God’s wrath because of His holy hatred of sin. This cannot be undone by man, for he is dead and sinful by nature (death cannot produce life and sin cannot produce righteousness). Therefore, man is destitute, hopeless in his sin, in and of himself. (* “men” = mankind)God, though, has provided a replacement for men in His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who

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became a man, uniquely perfect, without sin. He, the perfect man, was able to take the wrath of God in our stead, our propitiation, and bearing God the Father’s wrath, made atonement for our sin. His atonement singularly and fully sufficed for the payment for all the sins of all mankind for all time and will be applied to all who believe by repenting, confessing and following God in His Son, thus resulting in a reconciled relationship with God having been reborn from above, a child of God. Truly, we are saved from God, by God.

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The process of Salvation must include:

• A true* understanding of sin

• A true understanding of God

• A conviction of sin unto God

• A crisis of faith in Jesus, the Christ, as a repentant act of believing God

• A resultant new person, spiritually reborn– * “true” does not necessitate exhaustive

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So, some incompatible and/or incomplete versions…

• God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life if you would just pray…

• Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, will you let him in…(Rev 3:20)

• He’s “dying” to reach you

• If you do not want to go to Hell…pray this prayer…

• Any others?

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Mind-palette Cleanse

What’s this?...

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What is the acrostic? In Greek…

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What is the acrostic? In English…

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Stirring the pot - dialog

• Three issues:– Ordo Salutis – Logical/chronological

succession of events

– Is Jesus in your heart?

– Lordship Salvation

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When do things happen?

• Culver’s Chart (see Robert Duncan Culver’s Systematic Theology)

• Categories:– Logical order– Co-instantaneousness– Theocentric (God centered/initiated)

• Salvation is the empowerment unto…– Belief, faith, repentance

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Is Jesus in my heart?

• Tough Passages: Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27; 2 Cor. 13:5; Romans 8:9b; John 14:23

• Clearer passages: John 14:17, 16:7; Rom. 8:9a, 11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14

• No

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Lordship Salvation

• Defined – A view of salvation that includes repentance and surrender to God as qualifications to true belief and faith in God, resulting in verifiable Christian works

• The opponents – this view {L.S.] adds works (repentance and subsequent* change of behavior) as pre-requisites to salvation, which is by faith alone.

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Lordship Salvation• The history

– 1930’s• Lewis Sperry Chafer, He that is Spiritual, “Carnal

Christians”• B.B. Warfield, Book Review, “Only one kind”

– 1959• E. Harrison – Must Christ be Lord to be Savior? No• John Stott - Must Christ be Lord to be Savior? Yes

– 1960’s-1970’s• Ryrie – Balancing the Christian Life, So Great a

Salvation, no Lordship

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Lordship Salvation• The history, continued

- 1980’s to Present- Zane Hodges – The Gospel Under Siege, no

lordship- John MacArthur – The Gospel According to Jesus,

Lordship – Became poster boy- Zane Hodges – Absolutely Free, NO LORDSHIP!!

• Many on both sides, a lot of emotional debate• As far as the doctrines are concerned…I am

with the “lordship” guys (See Jesus and “worthy of the Kingdom . . .”)

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So, twalk amungst yaselves…

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Questions about the Gospel

• What is man’s greatest problem?

• How does man “get” sin? (become a sinner)

• Why is sin bad?• What does God do

with sin?• Why?

• What can man do about sin?

• Is there any hope? What?

• How does one partake of this Good News?

• What effect does it have?

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Again . . .

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The process of Salvation must include:

• A true* understanding of sin

• A true understanding of God

• A conviction of sin unto God

• A crisis of faith in Jesus, the Christ, as a repentant act of believing God

• A resultant new person, spiritually reborn– * “true” does not necessitate exhaustive

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The GospelThe Gospel, simply stated is: the Good News of God as regards the bad news of sin, namely that because all men* are sinners and all men sin, all men earn the penalty of sin which is death. This death is brought about by God’s wrath because of His holy hatred of sin. This cannot be undone by man, for he is dead and sinful by nature (death cannot produce life and sin cannot produce righteousness). Therefore, man is destitute, hopeless in his sin, in and of himself. (* “men” = mankind)God, though, has provided a replacement for men in His Son, Jesus, the Christ, who

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became a man, uniquely perfect, without sin. He, the perfect man, was able to take the wrath of God in our stead, our propitiation, and bearing God the Father’s wrath, made atonement for our sin. His atonement singularly and fully sufficed for the payment for all the sins of all mankind for all time and will be applied to all who believe by repenting, confessing and following God in His Son, thus resulting in a reconciled relationship with God having been reborn from above, a child of God. Truly, we are saved from God, by God.

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Keep in Mind…

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We keep the truth of the Gospel in mind while we are being “SLEQ” with those we are talking to. Only the Truth of God’s Word will be our Lighthouse while we are out in the harbor with the world.

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Answering Biblical Questions Apologetically

Without Being Sorry

1 Peter 3:15