1

RELIGIOUS DEBATES:RELIGIOUS DEBATES:“Set for the Defense“Set for the Defense

of the Gospel”of the Gospel”

Phil. 1:17Phil. 1:17

… …I am set I am set

for the defense of the gospel.for the defense of the gospel.

[By Ron Halbrook]

2

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

IntroductionIntroduction:1. Phil. 1:12-18 Soldier of Christ in

prison: spirit undampened— no retreat, no surrender!

Phil. 1:12-18 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather untothe furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confidentby my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction tomy bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

4

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

IntroductionIntroduction:1. Phil. 1:12-18 Soldier of Christ in prison:

spirit undampened— no retreat, no surrender!

Paul’s imprisonment motivated others to preach Some: selfish ambition—see Paul as competitor Some: good will & love—see Paul as faithful

defender of the truth

5

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

IntroductionIntroduction:1. Phil. 1:12-18 Soldier of Christ in

prison: spirit undampened— no retreat, no surrender!

Paul’s imprisonment motivated others to preachNo resentment, rejoiced in spread of gospel—set for defense of truth, not self

6

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”IntroductionIntroduction:1. Phil. 1:12-18 Soldier of Christ in prison:

spirit undampened— no retreat, no surrender!

2. Phil. 1:17 Gospel must be defended!Defense: evidence, answers, response to objectionsTruth must be defended against competing, contrary claimsBattle for souls: God & Satan, sin & righteousness, truth & error

7

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

IntroductionIntroduction:1. Phil. 1:12-18 Soldier of Christ in

prison: spirit undampened— no retreat, no surrender!

2. Phil. 1:17 Gospel must be defended!3. Religious debates: honorable,

necessary to spread gospel & save souls

8

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

I. Set for the Defense A. Why Necessary to Defend Gospel?

1. Satan declared war on truth of God’s Word

Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-6 Depart from truth, led to sin, broke fellowship with GodJn. 8:43-45 Must believe God’s truth or be deceived by Satan’s liePhil. 3:18 False teacher in fellowship with Satan, seeks to defeat plan of salvation

9

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

I. Set for the Defense A. Why Necessary to Defend Gospel?

1. Satan declared war on truth of God’s Word2. To defend God’s Word as true— can know the truth

Jn. 8:31-32 Know the truth, free from bondage to sin & error1 Jn. 5:9-12, 20 Know the truth about the Savior & salvation

10

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”I. Set for the Defense A. Why Necessary to Defend Gospel?

1. Satan declared war on truth of God’s Word2. To defend God’s Word as true— can know the truth3. To stop the spread & effect of false

doctrineMatt. 15:13-14 Error from Satan, destroys soulsTit. 1:9-11 Truth stops mouth of false teacher, saves souls from danger

11

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”I. Set for the Defense A. Why Necessary to Defend Gospel?

1. Satan declared war on truth of God’s Word2. To defend God’s Word as true— can know the truth3. To stop the spread & effect of false

doctrine4. To save souls

Rom. 1:16-17 God’s power to saveJude 3 To save souls, earnestly contend

12

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

I. Set for the Defense B. Who Responsible to Defend the

Gospel?1. All Christians per ability & opportunity

Phil. 1:7 Financial & moral supportActs 8:3-4 Tell, defend the gospel story1 Pet. 3:15-16 Defense in word & deed

13

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”I. Set for the Defense C. What Weapons?

1. Spiritual weapons of God’s WordHeb. 4:12 Sharper than any sword2 Cor. 10:3-5 Mighty power to defeat error & bring souls to Christ

2. Not carnal weapons 2 Cor. 10:4 Not carnal power, divine power2 Cor. 4:1-2 No deceit, only clear presentation of truth2 Cor. 12:20 Not “debate” as strife, personal animosity, bitter wrangling

14

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

II. Debates in Bible Days A. Matt. 22:23-33 Debate on

Resurrection

Matt. 22:23-28

23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked

him, 24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased,and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

Matt. 22:29-33

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err,

not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of

Isaac,and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

17

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

II. Debates in Bible Days A. Matt. 22:23-33 Debate on

Resurrection B. Lk. 13:10-17 Debate on Human

Tradition in Religion

Lk. 13:10-14 10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogueson the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowedtogether, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on thesabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.

Lk. 13:15-17 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the

stall,and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen

years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed [humiliated]: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious

thingsthat were done by him.

20

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

II. Debates in Bible Days A. Matt. 22:23-33 Debate on

Resurrection B. Lk. 13:10-17 Debate on Human

Tradition in Religion C. Acts 15:1-21 Debate on Whether We

Are Under the Old or New Covenant

Acts 15:1-2

1 And certain men which came down from Judaea

taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with

them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:4-6

4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had

done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of

Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

23

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”II. Debates in Bible Days A. Matt. 22:23-33 Debate on Resurrection B. Lk. 13:10-17 Debate on Human

Tradition in Religion C. Acts 15:1-21 Debate on Whether We

Are Under the Old or New CovenantVv. 7-11 Peter: Gentiles saved by the gospel in Acts 10 same as Jews in Acts 2Vs. 12 Paul: God approved his preaching the gospel to Gentiles by miraclesVv. 13-21 James: Prophecies of salvation for Jew & Gentile fulfilled by the gospel

24

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

III. Debates Today A. Debate on the Deity of Christ—

Refute Error of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jn. 1:1; 20:28 The Word is GodRom. 10:9 Must confess for salvationHeb. 1:7-8 He is God, not an angel

25

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

III. Debates Today B. Debate on Modern Miracle Claims—

Refute Error of Pentecostals, Charismatics

Mk. 16:20 Miracles confirmed the word1 Cor. 13:8-10 Miracles end when truth fully revealedJn. 6:9-11; 11:39, 43 Fake healers cannot fake all miracles

26

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

III. Debates Today C. Debate on Instrumental Music in

Worship— Refute Error of Denominations, Christian Church

Gen. 6:14 Gopher wood excludes other kinds of woodEph. 5:19 Sing excludes other kinds of musicRev. 5:8 Figurative language

27

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”

III. Debates Today D. Debate on Baptism in Plan of Salvation

— Refute Error of DenominationsMk. 16:15-16 The great commissionJn. 3:16, 5 Believe Jesus on water in the new birth?Acts 2:38; Matt. 26:28 For remission of sinsEph. 2:8-9; Acts 19:5 Saved by grace thru faith when baptized, not before & without baptismJa. 2:24 “Not by faith alone”

28

““Set for the Defense of the Gospel”Set for the Defense of the Gospel”InvitationInvitation:1. Phil. 1:12-18 Soldier of Christ in prison:

spirit undampened— no retreat, no surrender!

2. Phil. 1:17 Gospel must be defended!3. Religious debates: honorable, necessary

to spread gospel & save souls4. Bondage to Satan: sin, deception, lies,

false doctrines & religions5. Obey the gospel, fight the good fight of

faith, receive eternal life!