What Is the Holy Spirit’s Role in Apologetics?
The Holy Spirit, Apologetics, and
Evangelism
One important role of apologetics is
evangelism. First Peter 3:15 notes, “Always [be] prepared to make
a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet
do it with gentleness and respect.” Peter’s mention of “anyone” includes
unbelievers. Moreover, the following verse also includes unbelievers by
referring to “those who revile your good behavior in Christ” (verse 16). The
apostle Peter taught believers to use apologetic methods to persuade
unbelievers toward faith in Christ, and did so by complementing communication
with a life of conviction. Believers are to have “good behavior” that reflects
a life changed by Christ. There are three important aspects of evangelism that
are dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit.
First, the godly lifestyle of the believer is dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Second Peter 1:3 states, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” Believers are given many commands to obey; yet the ability to fulfill these commands is based on the divine power of God living in and through the believer.
Second, the ability to effectively share the gospel
message with unbelievers is dependent upon the Holy Spirit. The Great
Commission teaches believers to make disciples of all nations by going,
baptizing, and teaching others the good news of Jesus as Lord (Matthew
28:18-20).
Though any person can read the words of
the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is necessary to effectively bring the gospel
message to an unbeliever who will hear, believe, and receive that message. In
Romans 10:14-15, Paul noted, “How then will they call on him in whom they have
not believed?
And how are they to believe in him of
whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How
beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” God’s Spirit calls
the person who shares the gospel message, sends that person to others who have
yet to hear, and empowers the message communicated and draws unbelievers to
come to faith in Christ (John 6:65).
Third, the positive acceptance of the gospel message by an unbeliever is dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Both the sender and the receiver of the gospel message require God’s Spirit at work within them for the evangelistic efforts of an apologist to be effective. The Holy Spirit’s role in apologetics was clearly seen on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. After being empowered by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter defended Jesus as the Messiah, resulting in 3,000 people believing and being baptized (Acts 2:41). Throughout the book of Acts the Holy Spirit filled believers with the power to speak God’s message with boldness (Acts 4:8,31) and led them to evangelize the lost (Acts 8:29,40).
Speaking the Truth in Love
A second role in which apologetics is
dependent upon the Holy Spirit is found in Ephesians 4:15: “Speaking the truth
in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
Francis Schaeffer said, “Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the
ugliest thing in the world.”[2] An apologist is called to
speak God’s truth with God’s love. Doing so is a sign of maturity. However, to
speak in love requires the work of the Holy Spirit, because love is a fruit of
the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Furthermore, God is love, and love comes
from God (1 John 4:8). Thus, the person who desires to speak the truth in love
must trust in God’s Spirit to effectively accomplish this aspect of sharing
truth. Love also stands at the heart of the Christian message. Jesus taught
that the greatest commandments are to love God completely and to love your neighbor
as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40). Jesus demonstrated such love through His life
and teachings. He further called His disciples to follow His example. The
apostle Paul utilized this approach, calling his readers to “be imitators of
me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
There is another way in which we are
dependent upon the Holy Spirit to do apologetics and to help us speak the truth
in love—He gives us love for other people. It is easy to argue with
someone we do not love. However, God’s love compels us to lovingly persuade
those who have yet to believe the good news of Jesus. This motivation can drive
us toward devoted prayer, personal holiness, committed study of accurate
sources, and a diligent pursuit of opportunities to discuss and defend
Christian beliefs to evangelize unbelievers and edify believers.
Moreover, our dependence upon the Holy
Spirit when defending the faith also involves the uniqueness of
Christian love. Other religious movements often seek to promote their beliefs
as a means of gaining favor or securing their salvation by their good works. In
Christianity, our love for others is based on God’s love for us. Therefore, it
is unselfish, directed at others, and focused on the enrichment of others.
With God’s Spirit at work in and through
the life of the apologist, this love is offered through friendship, discussion,
debate, and other means to help the life of the lost person. Even in cases in
which the unbeliever remains unpersuaded, the believer maintains unconditional
love, knowing that the Holy Spirit must do His work to bring change into the
heart of the unbeliever. Ultimately, it is He alone who illuminates the mind,
confirms the truth, and changes the unbeliever’s heart (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).
Thus, no one comes to faith in Christ apart from the gracious work of the Holy
Spirit.
Apologetics with Gentleness and
Respect
Another important aspect of apologetics is to persuade others “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). To be gentle and show respect requires the believer to be dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is also a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Jesus served as one who was “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29; see also 21:5). Paul wrote with humility and gentleness when he corrected believers in Corinth (2 Corinthians 10:1).
Throughout Scripture, living with
gentleness toward others stands as a clear calling for every believer.
Philippians 4:5 calls believers to “let your gentleness be evident to all” (NIV).
God’s chosen people are to show “gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12),
while church leaders are to be “not violent, but gentle” and “to be gentle
toward everyone” (1 Timothy 3:3; 6:11; Titus 3:2). Wives are likewise called to
have a gentle spirit (1 Peter 3:4). The context of each of these passages
toward believers includes a close walk with God and living by the power of His
Spirit.
Respect also is an important trait for all believers, and it requires dependence upon the Holy Spirit. Believers are to respect everyone (1 Peter 2:17) and show respect to governing authorities (Romans 13:7). Wives are called to respect their husband (Ephesians 5:33), husbands are to respect their wives (1 Peter 3:7), slaves were to respect their master (Ephesians 6:5; 1 Timothy 6:1). The daily life of the believer is to win the “respect of outsiders” (1 Thessalonians 4:12 NIV). Further, church elders are to be respectable and manage their family “in a manner worthy of full respect” (1 Timothy 3:4 NIV). Likewise, deacons and their families are to be “worthy of respect” (1 Timothy 3:8,11 NIV). In apologetics, showing respect for unbelievers and their beliefs and backgrounds can often remove barriers to sharing the gospel.
For example, rather than disrespecting a
Buddhist’s belief in reincarnation, a respectful apologist can instead discuss
what evidence exists for reincarnation. He or she might also help the adherent
better understand the historical origin of this belief. A conversation may then
lead toward the biblical discussion of eternal life and the need for faith in
Jesus Christ to receive it. The goal, in this context, would be to help the
person understand there is one life and then judgment (Hebrews 9:27), while
respectfully appealing to the opportunity to obtain through Jesus an eternal
life better than reincarnation (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Addressing False Teachings
In Titus 1:9, the apostle Paul
instructed that a church elder “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as
it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and
refute those who oppose it.” Jude verse 3 adds, “I was very eager to write to
you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to
contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.”
The Christian faith includes both a positive communication of the gospel
and a defense against inaccurate teachings. Jude felt “compelled” by the
Holy Spirit to address certain false teachings, leaving an example for
believers today.
In Titus 1:9, the New Testament Greek word translated “sound” (hugiainō)—in reference to sound doctrine—can also be translated “healthy.” Certain teachings are unhealthy and inaccurate, requiring a response from the apologist. Those gifted in teaching by God’s Spirit can often most effectively address such errors. However, all believers are called to “be steadfast” and “stand firm” in the faith (1 Corinthians 15:58; 16:13).
Addressing false teachings involves both
the intellect and the heart. The believer is called to present accurate beliefs
or ideas regarding God, yet a spiritual side also exists. Paul addressed this
in Ephesians 6:10-20, noting the need to wear “the whole armor of God” (verse
13).
Part of this spiritual armor includes
“the sword of the Spirit” (verse 17). Paul refers to this spiritual sword as
the Word of God. In this context, a direct association is made between the Holy
Spirit and Scripture working together to respond to false teachings. Powerful
examples of this method are found in the New Testament. Jesus responded to the
three temptations of Satan in the wilderness by appealing to Scripture (Matthew
4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). Matthew’s Gospel frequently cited Old Testament passages
in support of its accounts, a method followed to various degrees by the other Gospel
writers. The apostle Paul also frequently cited from the Old Testament to
support his teachings, as did James, Jude, and the author of Hebrews. In fact,
a compelling case can be made that every New Testament author strongly utilized
the Old Testament in their writings.
A further aspect of addressing false teachings through the Holy Spirit is prayer. In Colossians 4:3-4, Paul wrote, “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” He clearly relied on the Holy Spirit’s power, his own prayers, and the prayers of other believers to strengthen his apologetics arguments. This was true both when he communicated Christ to unbelievers and he addressed false teachings. James 1:5-8 also addresses the need for believers to pray for wisdom when it is lacking, trusting the Lord to provide it.
Prayer appeals for the spiritual power
necessary for effective apologetics in all areas in which wisdom is needed,
both in presenting and defending the gospel message.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus told His
followers, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be
with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.” Followers of Christ receive the
Holy Spirit as an ongoing helper and advocate. He is the Spirit of truth that
empowers the life and communications of the apologist. Reasoning alone saves
no one apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. He alone prompts people to
believe in God’s saving truth, and He alone enlightens the unbeliever’s mind to
understand the evidence of His truth.
[1] Norman L. Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian
Apologetics (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1999), 330. Geisler discusses this
issue at length, examining and comparing both presuppositional and evidential
apologetics.
[2] As quoted in Michael A. Milton, Oh, the Deep, Deep
Love of Jesus (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2007), 16.
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