Below is the digital handout for the teaching. Keep track of what you watch and take notes with our app: www.rhbaptist.net/apps. This teaching is part of a published course made available without copyright by local church pastors for churches like ours. It has been revised by Pastor John for use in our church.

Tip: Several resources you may find very helpful in sharpening and giving an answer to your faith are “Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry” (carm.org) and gotquestions.org., and weselyhuff.com. But, please remember, the Bible is the only inerrant infallible resource in the world, so be like the Berean Jews in Acts 17 and test everything you read on any website or in any book, against the Holy Bible.

HOW SHOULD WE ANSWER OBJECTIONS

1. We should EXPECT objections and questions when sharing our faith.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Peter 2:11–12

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation [conduct] honest [good] among the Gentiles [unbelievers]: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation [accountability].

1 Peter 3:8–18

8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous [humble]: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew [turn from] evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue [pursue] it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy [blessed] are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer [defense] to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness [gentleness] and fear [reverence]: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you [slander you], as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation [conduct] in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened [made alive] by the Spirit:

We evangelize by sharing the “ good news .” We give witness to the gospel by Christian love (v8) conduct (v8-18) and apologetics (v15).

2. We should handle objections with gentleness and respect .

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Romans 9:3

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

3. Remember, God’s saving power is in the Gospel , not our apologetics.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

4. Sometimes you should not immediately answer a question .

Matthew 22:20

…he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

Mark 10:3

…he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

Mark 10:18

…Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

John 4:15–26

15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.

19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.

Proverbs 26:4–5

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

5. We should always be ready to play both offense and defense in evangelism.

6. If someone asks you a question you don’t know how to answer, it is OK to say “ I don’t know .”

Evangelism is a way to strengthen your own faith. It is a way for to understand more of why you believe what you believe.

A FEW OBJECTIONS AND RESPONSES

Question 1: How can you believe the Bible is true? Wasn’t the Bible just a book written by men?

A Memorable Help:

1. Scripture’s claim —human authors and divine inspiration

2. Scripture’s consistency —God works in and through His image-bearers

3. Scripture’s corroboration —time, people, places, fulfillment, and evidence

4. Scripture’s continuity —unity in diversity with one story

5. Scripture’s content —rational answers about God and to life’s biggest questions

6. Scripture’s contribution —insurmountable good

2 Timothy 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God [God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Peter 1:20–21

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved [carried along] by the Holy Ghost.

Note: The Bible isn’t a book that a person could write if he wanted to! It is 66 books written by 40 different human authors over 1,500 years crossing 10 periods of civilization spanning 3 continents —all written in perfect harmony!

Question 2: What about the problem of evil? How could a good God allow evil?

Genesis 50:15–21

15 And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. 16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Mark 7:20–23

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

If God were to just right away get rid of all evil, He would get rid of us .

2 Corinthians 5:17–21

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

John 12:47–48

47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Question 3: How do you know God exists? Can you prove to me that God exists?

CONCLUSION

Don’t be afraid of questions or objections—that is exactly what Satan wants. Be gentle. Be honest. Be humble. Be respectful. If you don’t know, don’t be embarrassed to say so.

Homework:

• Keep praying

• Keep pursuing evangelism opportunities

• Share your testimony

• Share the Gospel