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.

Why do I need Salvation?

Salvation is the act of being rescued or saved from the eternal consequences of sin, and to be made right with God. For you to understand why you need salvation, you must first understand and accept the fact that you are a sinner in need of being rescued.

But you may say; “I do not hurt anyone. I work hard. I live an honest, decent life. I help the sick and I feed the poor. I am not a sinner.” The truth is if you have ever so much as told a “white lie” or stolen even a pin, you have sinned and are already guilty. Again you may say, “Everyone has told at least one if not many lies, and have definitely sinned in thought and desire, if not in deed. It is only human.”

No it is not. We are made in the image and likeness of a Holy God. God is holy and His standard of moral purity or moral laws, the 10 commandments, declares that it is sin and that we have all sinned…"all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23). The Bible tells us that if we violate even one of God laws, we are guilty of violating all of them. Sin therefore, is the violation of God’s law. It is disobedience to God and it brings separation between God and man. "But your sins have made a separation between you and your God," (Isaiah 59:2). Consequently, it brings the judgment of God which says..“the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), speaking of eternal separation from God in the everlasting fires of Hell.

Since there is nothing we can do that is righteous for (Isaiah 64:6) says “our righteous deeds are filthy rags” before Him, we cannot escape God’s judgment. His perfect justice demands we be punished with the eternal tortures of Hell. Now you may question, how can this be perfect justice? How can a good God send someone to Hell for all of eternity when they have only committed one little sin? It is because there is no little or big sin in the eyes of God. Sin is sin. Sin originates in the heart before it is ever manifested in the physical; and it is the same sin whether it manifests in the form of a murder or a curse. Jesus Christ said “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” matthew 5:28) God’s perfect justice does not measure the length of the punishment by the length of the sin as we see it. This is somewhat similar, in a small way, to our human judgment which sentences a murderer to a lifetime in prison for a murder he committed in one minute.

God is holy and just. His holiness judges our sins and finds us guilty, and His justice sentences us to death and everlasting Hell. However God in His perfect love sent His only begotten son Jesus Christ, to take our punishment. He was sinless and pure and His death on the Cross was the only sacrifice deemed worthy as a payment for the sins of all of mankind; past, present and future. The Bible says "He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (Col 5:21). You may again say, “This is unfair. How can a good God send His sinless son to die for Sinners?” Simply because it was God himself who came down from heaven as His Son. He emptied Himself of His divinity and took the form of flesh so that He could experience every temptation, every hurt, every pain, every rejection, and every injustice that we experience and yet remain sinless… to show us the way. Then He allowed Himself to be sentenced, tortured, and crucified, only to rise again, offering us the same power to overcome sin and death. Such is His perfect love for the crown of His creation -- Man. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

We are all sinners and we need to be rescued from our sin. We need Salvation which only comes through Jesus Christ for it is He alone who suffered and died for us. It is He alone who paid the penalty for our sins, and it is He alone who now offers this free gift called Salvation.

All we need to do is understand and acknowledge that we are sinners in need of this free gift and receive it by repenting of our sins and believing upon the one who died to give us this gift -- Jesus Christ. For the Word of God says, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12).