HOW TO HANDLE BIBLICAL DISCUSSIONS
In talking with our religious friends, many of them will bring up their denominational beliefs, such
as, “Belief in Jesus alone is sufficient to have fellowship with other denominations,” “Attend the
church of your choice,” “We are all going to the same place, but on different paths” and such
like. When such opportunities arise, here are a few important things that may help us whenever
we handle Biblical discussions with others.
First, the presentation of truth will silence those who practice falsely. As such, we must always
remember that the power is not in any innate ability of the arguer, but in the presentation of truth
itself. Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Jesus stated to those Jews who believed on Him, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free” (John 8:31-32), to which He later clarified in prayer to His Father, “…thy
word is truth” (John 17:17). Remember that as effective as the apostle Paul was, even he
conceded, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of
wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God…And my speech and my preaching was not
with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1
Corinthians 2:1, 4). Thus, truth itself will conquer all who follow error. The power is in the
message of truth and not necessarily in the messenger. Whenever Jesus spoke truth, He
always silenced His critics (cf. Matthew 22:46).
Second, not everyone will accept the truth. We set ourselves up for discouragement and failure
if we think that everyone will accept the truth. Sometimes, I believe our zeal may get carried
away into thinking that if we do not convert everyone, we have failed. Such is simply not the
case. As perfect as Jesus himself was, even He did not convert everyone: “He came unto his
own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to
becomes the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:11-12). Just as many
of the Jewish leaders of His day would simply not let go of their preconceived religious ideas
and traditions (cf. Matthew 15:1-9), many of those steeped in denominationalism simply will not
uproot themselves from similar circumstances, even upon presentation of the simple truth. Our
job/purpose is not to convert everyone, but to share the good news of the gospel with everyone
(cf. Mark 16:15)—those who gladly receive it will convert, and those who refuse will refuse.
Indeed, the promise of the Bible will sadly be true: “…for wide is the gate, and broad is the way
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matthew 7:13).
Finally, let us remember as we conduct Biblical discussions with non-Christians that our focus is
to address the heart and not simply to win an argument. Sometimes brethren seem self-satisfied
to have made an argument for the sake of the argument rather than the proper pursuit—
reaching the heart of a non-believer. The Pharisees toiled tirelessly at making arguments with
Jesus, much less among themselves. The lawyers loved to debate about which was the
greatest commandment within the Law of Moses (cf. Matthew 22:36). Yet, Jesus was not simply
trying to prove a point with His teachings—He was trying to reach the hearts of His hearers, and
it saddened Him deeply whenever His hearers would not respond appropriately (cf. Mark 10:21).
Members listened to a sermon that a wise preacher preached and responded, “Preacher, you
sure hit my toes today,” to which the wise preacher stated, “I was not aiming for your toes—I
was aiming for your heart!”
—Sam Wilcutt
Jesus and the Resurrection Having recently healed a man from 38 years of infirmity, Jesus was in the temple. The healing took place on the Sabbath; therefore, the Jews accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath and were trying to kill Him, not only for what they claimed was breaking the Law of Moses, but because He claimed to be the Son of God. When Jesus said, “Marvel not at this,” (John 5:28), He was referring to what He previously said: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (5:25). In this verse, the dead has reference to those spiritually dead. Those that hear and shall live refers to those on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when the gospel would be first preached and the spiritually dead could hear and live, i.e., enjoy a spiritual resurrection from their spiritually dead state. In John 5:28-29, Jesus speaks of a universal resurrection of all, both saved and unsaved. The word “resurrection” comes from the original Greek word anastasis, which means, “a rising from the dead” (Thayer). This is what Jesus promised regarding all men; this is the same resurrection to which the apostle Paul referred in First Corinthians Observe some important truths regarding this great event. First, the general resurrection will take place at the Lord’s return (1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Second, two important things will occur at that time—the body will be raised, and it will be changed from the body that died (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). While the same body that is sown is the same body that will be raised, there will be a vast difference between the two (a corrupted, dishonored, weak and natural body will be raised an incorruptible, glorious, powerful spiritual body). Finally, since no one will pass up this event, the first resurrection occurs only when one “hears” the gospel, believes it, and obeys it (Acts 2:38), living thereafter a faithful life of service to the Lord (Revelation 2:10). —Wayne Patrick Lankford
