Introduction

• Matthew 26:26-29 – Some take this literally. This is a metaphor. It was figuratively his body and blood.

Why does God use figurative language?

• Figures make language more vivid, interesting, memorable, and powerful.
• I Peter 5:8
• II Peter 2:21-22
• How about the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15)?
• The basic message is that we should rejoice when sinners repent, but by presenting that as a parable, Jesus turns it into a memorable story.

When should we take a word or phrase figuratively?

• A good rule of thumb is to understand a passage literally unless there is a good reason to believe otherwise:
  • When it is said to be figurative.
    • John 2:18-21
    • Ephesians 6:17
    • Isaiah 9:2
  • When a literal understanding contradicts another passage.
    • Mark 1:5; Luke 7:29-30 – Not absolutely all people came out to obey Jesus.
  • When it matches a pattern of figurative language in other passages.
    • John 6:27; I John 3:18; I Peter 3:3 – Not-but passages.
  • When a literal understanding contradicts known facts or common sense.
    • John 3:3

When should we NOT take a word or phrase figuratively?

• When a literal understanding simply contradicts our beliefs.
  • I Corinthians 7:1

Introduction

• Acts 8:1-3 – The church was the people. Not a building!
• Romans 16:5
• Acts 20:17, 28-30 – The trouble to come was that people would be drawn away. This was spiritual work to guard the people.

The word “church”

• The word translated church in the New Testament simply means, “a called out group” or “assembly.” The word itself does not have a spiritual connotation.
• Acts 19:32 – The word “assembly” here is ekklesia, often translated “church.”

Universal sense (all saved people everywhere)

• Ephesians 5:22-28 – Christ died to save the church.
• Ephesians 4:4 – There is one body (one church) because there is one savior.
• Matthew 16:16-19 – Jesus was establishing a group of people who were saved.
• Acts 2:38
• Hebrews 12:22-23 – The people’s names are written in heaven.
• Luke 10:20

Local sense (saved people working together as a congregation)

• Romans 16:16
• I Corinthians 1:2

The church does not save; it is the saved.

• Acts 4:12 – Jesus is the savior – not the church!

Don’t think of the “church of Christ” as a denomination with a creed.

• “Church of Christ” is a description – not a name.
• Churches are described with many names in the New Testament:
  • Romans 16:16
  • I Corinthians 11:16
  • I Thessalonians 2:14
  • I Corinthians 14:30
  • Acts 11:22
  • Romans 16:1
  • I Corinthians 1:2
  • I Thessalonians 1:1
• Acts 8:12

There should not be such a thing as “church of Christ” doctrine.

• There is only the doctrine of God.

Let’s just objectively seek the truth!

Introduction to apologetics, continued:

What do you hope to gain from this study of apologetics?

• Internal motivations
  • Answer questions you have yourself – Mark 9:24
  • Stronger personal faith – know why you believe – Luke 17:5; Colossians 2:6-7
  • Defend your own faith against attacks – II Timothy 3:13-15
• External motivations
  • Better able to answer questions of seekers (children, friends, coworkers) – Ephesians 4:11-14
  • Persuade those in error – but to what end? Philippians 1:15-17
  • “Win” an internet debate – Matthew 7:6
  • Defeat opposition – to what end? Matthew 6:2, 5, 16
  • Plant a seed – I Corinthians 3:6; Mark 4:31-32; Luke 8:11-15; 13:6-9

Purpose in apologetics

• I Peter 3:15 – Ready to make a defense – but in what way?
  • I Peter 3:8-9, 15 – our attitudes
  • I Peter 3:11 – seek peace
  • I Peter 3:12-14 – fearless
  • I Peter 3:16 – our conduct
• I Peter 3:18 – Christ’s suffering led me to our sanctification.
  • What must our willingness to suffer for Christ do for others?

Final thoughts

• Luke 12:11-12
  • Jesus told his disciples not to prepare beforehand what they would say, because the Holy Spirit would teach them in that very hour what they should say.
  • That promise was not made to us, but we can learn from it.
• Luke 21:12-15
  • Similar instructions, promise worded differently. He would give them wisdom and utterance no opponent could refute.
  • Their persecution would lead to an opportunity for testimony.

Faith and science

What is faith?

• Personal conviction that something is true when the believer has no first-hand knowledge of it.
• Romans 8:24
• II Corinthians 5:7
• Hebrews 11:1

How do we develop faith?

• Discuss
  • Testimony
  • Observation of evidence (as opposed to direct observation)
    • Secondary, tertiary, etc.
  • Reasoning
• Luke 24; John 20:25-31

What are some everyday things we believe or take for granted?

What is science?

• Testing of theory against evidence

How does science work?

Introduction

• Luke 8:7

You can’t chase contentment; you have to learn it.

• Philippians 4:11-12
• I Timothy 6:6-9
• Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
• Ecclesiastes 5:10

Pay attention to lifestyle creep.

• Deuteronomy 6:10 – If they were being warned when they were living in those conditions, what about us?
• Matthew 16:24-26
• Physical things are not bad on their own, but they must not distract us from spiritual matters.

Beware of social comparisons.

• Luke 12:13-15, 21
• Exodus 20:17 – Don’t covet what others have.
• Ephesians 5:3

Use money as a tool for God’s work.

• I Timothy 6:18
• I John 3:17
• Proverbs 19:17
• Deuteronomy 24:19
• I Peter 4:9
• Matthew 25:43

Context

• Psalm 14:1 – “there is no God”
  • Do you believe the Bible?
  • This verse is taken out of context!
• Studying the context means reading the surrounding verses to help you understand what a word or phrase means.
  • Examples:
    • Foxes – Matthew 8:20; Luke 13:31-32
    • Love – II Samuel 13:1; Ephesians 5:25; Song of Solomon 1:2

How do you study the context?

• Just read the verses before and after.
• The headings in your Bible may be helpful.
• Glance at an outline in a study Bible, commentary, or Bible dictionary.
• Pay attention to connecting words.

Harmony

• Make sure to also consider how this passage harmonizes with the rest of the Bible.
• Matthew 4:5-7
• Hebrews 9:12

How do you study harmony?

• General knowledge of the Bible
• Use cross references
• Use digital search features or paper concordance
• Use topical Bibles
• Examples:
  • Psalm 2
    • Psalm 2:1 has a cross reference to Acts 4:25-26, showing that part of the psalm was quoted there.
  • Philippians 4:13

Homework

• Do you believe the Bible is literal?
• Open your Bible to any page. Can you find a figure of speech?