“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15
This verse from Peter’s first epistle is often cited as a basis for the work and ministry of apologetics. Rightly understood, we are exhorted by the apostle to be prepared at a moment’s notice to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. This assumes a number of things.
First, that we recognize that all disciples of Jesus are expected to share the news of God’s forgiveness through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Contrary to the thinking of many Christians, evangelism is not limited to those believers with the spiritual gift of evangelism.
The second thing this verse assumes is that we have taken the time to memorize Scripture and especially relevant passages that speak of the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ upon Calvary’s cross. Chances are you don’t carry a Bible with you 24/7, so having Scripture memorized will enable you to always be ready.
Third, the exhortation assumes that we have taken the time to understand the thinking that characterizes the days in which we live. Would you know how to respond to someone who says “Well, this gospel of Jesus stuff works for you but it doesn’t do anything for me.”? What would you say to someone who says, “Christianity is nothing more than a crutch for the weak-minded.”?
Finally, Peter’s admonition in this verse to make a defense or presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, instructs us to view the apologetic task as one that is done with gentleness and reverence. This is one aspect of the apologetic mandate often overlooked. We will never win anyone to Christ through argumentation or heated exchange. Only when we have prepared ourselves for the harsh reality that many will ignore and even attempt to shut us up, will we be mentally and emotionally prepared to love them anyway.
The basis for the apologetic task is the gospel itself. When we have made Christ the priority of our lives – Peter says “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” – we will seek opportunities to share Christ and we will be ready when opportunities find us.
Brothers and sisters, that is a transforming truth.
The best way to be able to defend the gospel is to be intimately familiar with the Word. And in addition to memorizing pertinent passages, as you mentioned, we must constantly be working our way through it, from beginning to end, so that we leave no stone unturned. Over the course of a lifetime, we will have hopefully read through the Bible thirty or forty times, maybe more. Then, if you need a passage that you haven’t memorized, you will at least know the gist of what it says, what it means, and where to look for it.
Good points Amy. Thank you!