Discover the essence of Christian apologetic evangelism in our analysis of Biblical texts and Greek linguistics. This article deciphers key Greek terms, offering fresh insights into evangelism and apologetics, fostering a deeper understanding and application of Christian faith-sharing.

Christian Apologetic Evangelism is not merely a suggestion or an optional practice for the followers of Christ. It is a divine mandate to both men and women, an obligation rooted in obedience to the will of the Father. The theme text, Matthew 7:21-23, underscores this truth in the words of Jesus Himself: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Women are not to serve in a pastoral, assistant pastor, or deacon role in the church but they are obligated to evangelize.

Historically, the Church has always understood evangelism as part of its mission, following the Great Commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20. But it is essential to remember that evangelistic activity must be more than just a program or initiative. It must be a natural overflow of our love for God and our obedience to His will.

The Greek term for evangelism, ‘Euangelizō,’ signifies ‘to bring or announce good news.’ This good news is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the message of God’s redemptive love and grace for humanity. As Christians, we are entrusted with this message, and we are obligated to share it with others.

Apologetics, from the Greek ‘Apologia,’ meaning a reasoned defense, is an inextricable part of this evangelistic mission. It involves providing rational, evidence-based responses to questions and objections about the Christian faith. It is about ‘always being prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ (1 Peter 3:15).

This task of apologetic evangelism is not just for pastors, theologians, or professional apologists. It is a responsibility that falls on every follower of Christ. We are all called to ‘contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people’ (Jude 1:3). We are all called to ‘correctly handle the word of truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15).

However, it’s vital to remember that the ultimate aim of our apologetic evangelism is not to win arguments or debates. It is to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel, to persuade people of the reality of God’s love, and to lead them to a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ. This is the Father’s will that we are called to fulfill.

It is this obedience to the Father’s will that distinguishes true disciples of Christ from mere verbal confessors. As we see in Matthew 7:21-23, it is not enough to call Jesus ‘Lord’ or to perform miraculous deeds in His name. What matters is doing the Father’s will, which includes sharing the Gospel and defending the faith.

So, let us embrace this obligation of Christian Apologetic Evangelism with a sense of urgency, passion, and love. Let us immerse ourselves in God’s Word, equip ourselves with a sound understanding of our faith, and ready ourselves to give a reason for our hope. Let us be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel and diligent in defending the faith.

Let us remember that evangelism is a divine mandate, an act of obedience to the Father’s will. And let us strive to be among those who Jesus will acknowledge on the last day, saying, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have done the will of my Father who is in heaven.’

CHRISTIANS ARE OBLIGATED TO EVANGELIZE

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Mathēteuō (μαθητεύω) – This verb, used in Matthew 28:19, means “to make disciples” or “to teach.” It implies not just teaching information, but personal investment and training leading to transformation. The Greek verb “mathēteuō” (μαθητεύω), used in Matthew 28:19, is a command. In the context of this verse, Jesus is giving the Great Commission to His disciples, instructing them to “go and make disciples of all nations.” The verb form used here is an imperative, indicating a command or instruction. This is not merely a suggestion or a recommendation but a directive given by Jesus to His followers.

The use of the imperative form in this verse underscores the importance and urgency of this task. It is not optional but a fundamental part of what it means to be a follower of Christ. This command to make disciples is not limited to the original disciples but extends to all Christians. It is a central part of the Christian mission and a key aspect of Christian Apologetic Evangelism.

The word “mathēteuō” itself also carries significant implications. It means not just to teach, but to make disciples, implying a process of personal investment, training, and transformation. This goes beyond merely sharing information. It involves guiding others to follow Jesus, helping them to grow in their understanding and application of His teachings, and nurturing them towards spiritual maturity. This comprehensive and transformative process is what Jesus commands His followers to engage in.

So, in light of this, we can see that the task of Christian Apologetic Evangelism is indeed an obligation for all Christians. It is a command given by Jesus Himself, rooted in obedience to His will and integral to the fulfillment of His Great Commission.

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Martyreō (μαρτυρέω) – This verb, translated as “to bear witness” or “to testify,” is used in Acts 1:8 and other verses. It refers to the act of affirming something based on personal knowledge or belief.

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Romans 10:14 – “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?”

1 Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being 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.”

Apologia (ἀπολογία) – This Greek word, found in 1 Peter 3:15, is typically translated as “defense” or “answer” in English. It refers to a reasoned argument or discourse made in justification of something.

Hetoimazō (ἑτοιμάζω) – This verb, also found in 1 Peter 3:15, means “to prepare” or “to make ready.” It implies a readiness to respond or act.

2 Corinthians 5:20 – “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

Acts 18:28 – “For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

Colossians 4:5-6 – “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Apokrinomai (ἀποκρίνομαι) – This verb, found in Colossians 4:6, is typically translated as “answer.” It implies responding to a question or inquiry.

Acts 26:17-18 – “I will deliver you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light.”

Luke 24:47 – “And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

John 20:21 – “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'”

Philippians 1:7 – “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.”

Acts 22:15 – “You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.”

Acts 9:15 – “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'”

1 Corinthians 9:16 – “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Jude 1:3 – “Dear friends, although 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.”

Epagonizomai (ἐπαγωνίζομαι) – This verb, used in Jude 1:3, means “to contend for” something. It carries the sense of struggling or fighting for a cause, in this case, the faith.

Titus 1:9 – “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Orthotomeō (ὀρθοτομέω) – This verb, found in 2 Timothy 2:15, means “to rightly handle” or “to correctly divide.” It implies careful handling and interpretation of the word of truth.

The Greek verb “Euangelizō” (εὐαγγελίζω) is used in several places in the New Testament. Euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω) – This verb means “to bring good news” or “to announce good news.” It’s the root of the English word “evangelize,” and it’s used throughout the New Testament to describe the act of sharing the Gospel message. Here are a few examples:

Luke 4:18 – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” Here, Jesus is quoting Isaiah 61:1, announcing His mission to bring the good news of God’s Kingdom.
Acts 8:35 – “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” In this verse, Philip uses a passage from Isaiah to share the Gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch.
Romans 1:15 – “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” Here, Paul expresses his desire to share the good news with the believers in Rome.
1 Corinthians 15:1 – “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.” In this verse, Paul is reminding the Corinthians of the Gospel message he had shared with them.

REASONED, EXPLAINED, AND PERSUADED

Acts 9:27-28 – “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.”

Parresiazomai (παρρησιάζομαι) – This verb, often translated as “to speak boldly” or “to speak freely,” is used in Acts 9:27-28 to describe how Paul spoke boldly in the name of Jesus in Jerusalem.

Acts 17:2-3 – “And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.'”

Dialegomai (διαλέγομαι) – This verb, found in Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4, means “to reason” or “to argue.” It suggests a thoughtful, logical discussion or argument.

Dianoigō (διανοίγω) – This verb, found in Acts 17:3, is typically translated as “to explain” or “to open.” It means to open up, unfold, or explain something in a way that makes it comprehensible to others. It suggests the act of making something clear or easy to understand. Paul used this method to elucidate the Scriptures, making them more accessible and understandable to his listeners.

Acts 17:17 – “So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be there.”

Dialegomai (διαλέγομαι) – This verb, often translated as “to reason” or “to argue,” is used in Acts 17:17 and other verses. It refers to the act of engaging in logical discussion or argument.

Acts 17:23 – “For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ Therefore, what you are unknowingly worshiping, this I proclaim to you.”

Katangellō (καταγγέλλω) – This verb means “to proclaim” or “to announce.” It’s used in Acts 17:23, where Paul speaks to the Athenians about the “unknown god” they worship, and he proclaims to them the true God they should worship.

Acts 18:4 – “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.”

Peithō (πείθω) – This verb, used in Acts 18:4 and Acts 26:28, means “to persuade” or “to convince.” It implies the act of influencing someone’s opinion or decision.

Acts 18:19 – “They came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.”

Acts 19:8 – “And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”

Acts 19:9 – “But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.”

Acts 20:7 – “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”

Acts 24:25 – “And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, ‘Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.'”

Acts 26:28 – “And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?'”

Peithō (πείθω) – This verb, used in Acts 18:4 and Acts 26:28, means “to persuade” or “to convince.” It implies the act of influencing someone’s opinion or decision.

Acts 28:23 – “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.”

Plērophoreō (πληροφορέω) – This verb, often translated as “to convince” or “to fully persuade,” is used in Acts 28:23 to describe how Paul tried to convince others about Jesus.

Acts 28:24 – “And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.”

GLOSSARY OF APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM WORDS

Apologia (ἀπολογία)– This Greek word, found in 1 Peter 3:15, is typically translated as “defense” or “answer” in English. It refers to a reasoned argument or discourse made in justification of something.
Mathēteuō (μαθητεύω)– This verb, used in Matthew 28:19, means “to make disciples” or “to teach.” It implies not just teaching information, but personal investment and training leading to transformation.
Hetoimazō (ἑτοιμάζω)– This verb, also found in 1 Peter 3:15, means “to prepare” or “to make ready.” It implies a readiness to respond or act.
Apokrinomai (ἀποκρίνομαι)– This verb, found in Colossians 4:6, is typically translated as “answer.” It implies responding to a question or inquiry.
Epagonizomai (ἐπαγωνίζομαι)– This verb, used in Jude 1:3, means “to contend for” something. It carries the sense of struggling or fighting for a cause, in this case, the faith.
Orthotomeō (ὀρθοτομέω)– This verb, found in 2 Timothy 2:15, means “to rightly handle” or “to correctly divide.” It implies careful handling and interpretation of the word of truth.
Dialegomai (διαλέγομαι)– This verb, found in Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4, means “to reason” or “to argue.” It suggests a thoughtful, logical discussion or argument.
Peithō (πείθω)– This verb, used in Acts 18:4 and Acts 26:28, means “to persuade” or “to convince.” It implies the act of influencing someone’s opinion or decision.
Dianoigō (διανοίγω)– This verb, found in Acts 17:3, is typically translated as “to explain” or “to open.” It means to open up, unfold, or explain something in a way that makes it comprehensible to others. It suggests the act of making something clear or easy to understand. Paul used this method to elucidate the Scriptures, making them more accessible and understandable to his listeners.
Euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω)– This verb means “to bring good news” or “to announce good news.” It’s the root of the English word “evangelize,” and it’s used throughout the New Testament to describe the act of sharing the Gospel message.
Martyreō (μαρτυρέω)– This verb, translated as “to bear witness” or “to testify,” is used in Acts 1:8 and other verses. It refers to the act of affirming something based on personal knowledge or belief.
Katangellō (καταγγέλλω)– This verb means “to proclaim” or “to announce.” It’s used in Acts 17:23, where Paul speaks to the Athenians about the “unknown god” they worship, and he proclaims to them the true God they should worship.
Parresiazomai (παρρησιάζομαι)– This verb, often translated as “to speak boldly” or “to speak freely,” is used in Acts 9:27-28 to describe how Paul spoke boldly in the name of Jesus in Jerusalem.
Dialegomai (διαλέγομαι)– This verb, often translated as “to reason” or “to argue,” is used in Acts 17:17 and other verses. It refers to the act of engaging in logical discussion or argument.
Plērophoreō (πληροφορέω) – This verb, often translated as “to convince” or “to fully persuade,” is used in Acts 28:23 to describe how Paul tried to convince others about Jesus.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).