You are cordially invited to hear
Perry Cotham
October 12-15, 2003

(Debate, continued from page 5)

The Bible tells us we are to be ready to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Paul tells us we are to have our loins girded with truth (Eph. 6:14). We are to be ready to do battle with the enemy. Jesus was ready at all times (Mt. 21:23-27; 22:1-14; Jn. 7:45-46). He didn’t ask what good it will do. He just preached and reasoned with the religious leaders of His day. The apostle Paul again tells us we need to be able to give a defense for the gospel. The Greek word for defense is apologia. It is used in Acts 22:1; 24:10; Philippians 1:7,16; 1 Peter 3:15. It is sometimes translated giving an answer as is done in 1 Peter 3:15. Vine also says it is used of a verbal defence, or a speech in defence. Jude tells us we need to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3).

Christianity by its very nature is a controversial religion. There is only one way (Jn. 14:6). There is only one name (Acts 4:12). There is only one God (Eph. 4:5). Only one faith (Eph. 4:5). Only one baptism (Eph. 4:5). Only one church (Eph. 4:4; 5:23). It is a narrow way (Mt. 7:13). Brethren, apostolic preaching was plain, pointed, precise, and powerful. It stressed the difference between truth and error. It brought men to love the truth or to hate the truth. It condemned sin in the lives of men. It stressed the truth (Jn. 8:32), the gospel (Rom. 1:16), the faith (Jude 3), and the sound doctrine (Tit. 2:1).

George Reed
Salinas, Ca.