Defending Our Faith

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it.

And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.

He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,