Ensuring Biblical Doctrine in Evangelism and Apologetics
Ensuring biblical doctrine in evangelism and apologetics requires a commitment to proclaiming God's message accurately and faithfully. This commitment is rooted in the understanding that the words delivered should be God's own message, not merely human creeds or confessions [7]. The Apostle Paul emphasized his divine appointment as "a preacher and an apostle... a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" [1, 2], underscoring the authoritative nature of his message. He affirmed this truth "in Christ," indicating a solemn declaration [4].
The core of this biblical doctrine in evangelism is "preaching Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world" [3]. This involves proclaiming the "glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ" [3]. For John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, preaching the "word" means proclaiming "Christ the essential Word" or "the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ" [8]. This message is to be delivered openly, publicly, and boldly, without alteration or omission [8].
Evangelists are called to "do the work of an evangelist" [3], which primarily involves this proclamation of Christ. This work also includes confirming the souls of disciples in the doctrines of the Gospel, fortifying them against opposition [5]. The message itself is not to be based on human opinion but on God's words, which He places in the mouths of His messengers [6]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, stresses that preachers must ensure their message is truly God's, not just aligned with their own creed, and that creeds should be tested against the Word of God [7].
Apologetics, in this context, involves defending and explaining this biblical doctrine. It means being prepared to endure afflictions and not abandoning the truth or relaxing zeal for the salvation of others, even in the face of suffering [3]. The message itself, as seen in the book of Hebrews, highlights the insufficiency of legal sacrifices and the ultimate salvation provided through Christ's incarnation and sacrifice [9]. This theological foundation, centered on Christ's atoning work, is a key aspect of the doctrine to be communicated and defended.
The integrity of the message is paramount. Paul's declaration, "I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not" [2], serves as a model for those engaged in evangelism and apologetics, emphasizing the veracity and divine origin of the message they convey.
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 2:7 (Webster) — For which I am ordained a preacher and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 4:5: But watch thou in all things - It is possible to be overtaken in a fault, to neglect one's duty, and to lose one's soul. Watching unto prayer prevents all these evils. Endure afflictions - Let no sufferings affright thee; nor let the dread of them either cause thee to abandon the truth, or relax in thy zeal for the salvation of men. Do the work of an evangelist - That is: Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world; for this, and this alone, is doing the work of an evangelist, or preacher of the glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ. An angel f”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 2:6: Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle,.... He was ordained or appointed to be a preacher of the Gospel from all eternity, and was separated or set apart unto it in time, and was put into the ministry of it by Christ himself, and was not a common or ordinary preacher of the word, but an apostle, an extraordinary officer in the Gospel church. I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; which are a sort of an oath, or an appeal to Christ the omniscient God, for the truth of what he said, concerning his ordination to the Gospel; see a like phrase in Rom 9:1”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples,.... Not wicked men in their wickedness, nor self-righteous persons in an opinion of their own righteousness, as sufficient for justification, both being contrary to the nature and tendency of the ministry of the word; the Gospel being a doctrine according to godliness, and a revelation of the righteousness of Christ; but the disciples and followers of Jesus, whom they had already made in those places, these they confirmed in the doctrines of the Gospel, and fortified them against the contradictions and blasphemies of the Jews, and”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 51:16: And I have put my words in thy mouth,.... His promises and his truths, either in the mouth of his church, and people for them, both to preserve and transmit to future generations, and to publish and declare to the comfort of each other, Isa 59:21 or to the Prophet Isaiah, to make known to the people of Israel; or to Christ himself, the great Prophet in Israel, by whom grace and truth are come, and by whom God has spoken all his mind and will, and in whom all the promises are yea and amen. The doctrines of God, and not men, as appears by their truth, purity, harmony a”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 2:4: Thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord - Let them know that what thou hast to declare is the message of the Lord, that they may receive it with reverence. Every preacher of God's word should take heed that it is God's message he delivers to the people. Let him not suppose, because it is according to his own creed or confession of faith, that therefore it is God's word. False doctrines and fallacies without end are foisted on the world in this way. Bring the creed first to the Word of God, and scrupulously try whether it be right; and when this is done, leave ”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and boldness: some copies read, "the word of God"; and the Ethiopic version, "his ”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10 (introduction): The insufficiency of the legal sacrifices to take away sin, Heb 10:1-4. The purpose and will of God, as declared by the Psalmist, relative to the salvation of the world by the incarnation of Christ; and our sanctification through that will, Heb 10:5-10. Comparison between the priesthood of Christ and that of the Jews, Heb 10:11-14. The new covenant which God promised to make, and the blessings of it, Heb 10:15-17. The access which genuine believers have to the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:18-20. Having a High Priest over the Church of God, we ”