Apologetics = give an answer

Limitations and Values of Christian Evidences

I. The limitation of Christian evidences

A. The different types of Christian evidences

1. Supernatural sign miracles

2. Circumstantial evidences

a. Reports of conversion

b. Fulfilled prophecy

c. Archaeological light on the Bible

d. Historical evidence of the truth of Biblical statements

B. The inabilities of sign miracles

1. They promote unregenerate belief. (John 2:23-25)

a. They believed Him, but He didn’t believe in them.

b. He knew their heart.

c. Only the Holy Spirit grants regenerate belief. (John 3:1-3)

1) Nicodemus responded good, but not in regenerate faith.

a) He could have said, “These are spectacular feats of magic and slight of hand tricks.”

b) He could have said, “These miracles are real, but the devil does them through Him.”

2) Nicodemus’ good response was not enough.

a) He still was so far from the kingdom, he couldn’t see it.

b) He still had not entered the kingdom..

2. They promote self gratification belief.

a. In the case of Herod, his miracle was a side show that would gratify him. (Luke 23:8)

b. In the case of John 6, it was food that gratified those present.

1) Sounds like true faith at first. (11-14)

2) Jesus exposes their heart of unbelief. (26-27, 36) CF Hebrews 11:1

II. The value of Christian evidence

A. Value to the believer

1. A deeper appreciation of God’s power

a. Peter witnessed the Feeding of the 5,000, and their being offended by the words of Jesus, and leaving saying, “Lord, where shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life and we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

b. Thomas heard of the risen Christ and empirically reasoned as he had for years before. (John 20:24-29)

1) I appreciate the pressure you all have been under.

2) I, however, still have control of myself and would, of course, not
believe unless I could myself see.

2. Helpful background material in a study

B. Value to the unbeliever

1. Useful conversation piece in order to present the Gospel (I Corinthians 9:19-23)

2. No regeneration power (Luke 16:19-31)

a. Rich man, in great torment, was concerned for his brothers.

b. Lazareth, who ate his garbage, was in bliss and was known by his brothers.

c. Plan was to send Lazareth back from the dead as evidence.

READ: Luke 24:46-48
Mark 16:15-16
Galatians 1:6-8