The Greek word apologia means "to give a reasoned defense for what you believe to be true." It is used 19 times in the new Testament. 1 Peter 3:15 (Amplified) is one such instance.

"But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully"

We, as followers of Christ, are mandated to defend our faith in every area. This section is dedicated to answering the questions of many as to the authenticity of our faith as Christians. Though it will not give detailed answers, it will attempt to convey some core truths about Christianity.

Was Jesus Christ God?

Many are confused on this issue believing Jesus Christ to be either one or several of the following: a man; the son of God, the messiah, a prophet, and/or a great teacher… but not God. However, the Bible clearly states that Jesus Christ was not only all the above, but Almighty God Himself. His divinity, His coming to earth, His dwelling in flesh, and His assuming His role as the Son of God to fulfill the purpose for which He came is explained in many scriptures, most notably (Phillipians 2:6-8 KJV) which speaks of Jesus Christ as One “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is God who voluntarily restricted the use of His divine attributes - “made himself nothing”- when He took the form of man and came to earth to pay the penalty for the sins of all of mankind. But while He was on earth, He not only claimed He was God, but displayed and demonstrated all the attributes of God even in His self-limited capacity.

Jesus Christ Himself claimed to be God (John 10:30) when He said,“I and the Father are one." In (John 8:68), He said, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was, I AM” addressing Himself with the same name, “I AM” which God used to communicate who He was to Moses. The persons He was addressing had no doubts as to what He was claiming since they tried to stone Him for blasphemy. The Father Himself points to His Son as God in (Hebrews 1:8) “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” The unity of the three persons (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) in one God, the Trinity, will be addressed in another article. When Jesus taught in the temple, He affirmed Himself as Lord by quoting David. (Mark 12:36,37) “For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?” for if David referred to Him as Lord, how could He be just man?

He possessed and displayed all the attributes of God:

He is the eternal God who entered time via flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14). (Col 2:9KJV) says ”In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” He says in (Rev 1:8) “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.”

He is the Creator as declared in (John 1:3) “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

He is omnipresent as He Himself stated in (Matthew 28:20) “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." He is in heaven while He is on earth “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” (John 3:13), and He is on earth while He is in heaven. “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20)

He is omniscient as recorded in (John 16:30), “Now we can see that you know all things..” and (Colossians 2:3) states that "in Him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.” He knew what was in man (John 2:24, 25). He knew the life history and secrets of the Samaritan woman (John 4:29). He knew Nathaniel was under the fig tree when obviously by His reaction, Nathaniel knew no one could see him. (John 1:48,49) He knew the thoughts of men (Luke 6:8), the time and manner in which He would suffer, die, and resurrect. (Matt. 16:21; John 12:33, 13:1). He knew the disciple who would betray Him (John 6:66), what would happen in the last days (Matt. 24:25), and He knew the Father (Matt. 11:27).

He is omnipotent as He states in (Matthew 28:20), Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He says, "I am the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8) He upholds all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3). He performed many miracles demonstrating He had power over sickness and disease by healing them (Luke 4:38-41), over death by raising the dead (Matt. 9:25; Luke 7:14,15) over demons by casting them out (Mark 5:11-15), over gravity and matter by walking on water, (Matthew 14:26), over the elements by rebuking the winds and waves and calming the storm (Matt. 8:26,27), over nature by turning water into wine and cursing the fig tree causing it to immediately wither (John 2:11, Matt. 21:19), and indeed over all things (Rev 1:8).

He is sinless as stated in (2 Corinthians 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.” He also forgave sins… “And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48), and He received human worship as noted in (John 20:28,29) when “Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

In addition, Jesus Christ was referred to in the new testament by many of the same names used to refer to God in the old testament…”The Alpha and the Omega”, “Ancient of Days”, “The Rock”, “Deliverer”, “God”, “Lord”, “Redeemer”, “Shepherd”, “Giver of Life”, “Forgiver of Sins”, “Savior” etc.

Jesus Christ clearly proclaimed and demonstrated who He was and warns us in (John 8:24) “if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”