Explanation

<<clarification>>

knowledge is gained this requires a greater responsibility to its application as the practical worth or benefit is in it its outworking. Through a solid foundation being laid as the basic principles are grasped and strengthened, growth with effective results come. Rather than being given all the answers, do your own research and then check your findings with those more knowledgeable, yet aware we all have distorted conclusions on various matters.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit will guide believers into all truth (Jn 16:3). This includes the truth about Christ (who is the truth) and the manner in which we are to live; this has been recorded and forms the NT as we know it today (Jn 14:6, 15:26,17:17; 2 Jn 1:4; 3 Jn 1:4). It is not just gaining a mental appreciation of the facts about Christ; to be life changing the heart must be altered.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter explained to the bewildered crowd the events they were witnessing were prophesied (in the OT) and then brought his message up-to-date with the challenge and requirement to repent (Act 2:14-40).

The Ethiopian when asked if he understood what he was reading replied, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” Philip explained "the good news about Jesus". Once the Ethiopian had a clearer grasp and understanding about Jesus he desired to follow Him and was baptised (Act 8:31-38). The parables were intriguing stories that had a deeper meaning, which Jesus clarified to His disciples (Mt 13:36ff). Mature believers explained the Christian faith more fully and completely to a younger enthusiastic man who did not have all the facts (Act 18:24-28). As believers we all should be able to give a clear presentation of the gospel, an explanation for the hope we have in Christ (1 Pet 3:15).

All Bible teaching is elaborating or giving clarification to its message that God wants to restore a broken and hurting world to His original design and unfolds His plan through people and events in history, yet whatever we share with others must be true to its principles, without introducing our own biased human ideas. The main message of the Bible explains how God invites people to become a part of that restoration process through Jesus Christ.

Apologetics involves the explaining of the gospel in terms the unchurched people can understand and countering the uninformed reasons that are put forward as to why they are not Christians.

See also: apologetics, application, foundation, information, knowledge, understand/understanding.