How we must answer the Gainsayers

From Websters 1828 Dictionary

·       GAINSA'Y, verb transitive [Eng. against.] To contradict; to oppose in words; to deny or declare not to be true what another says; to controvert; to dispute; applied to persons, or to propositions, declarations or facts.

·       GAINSA'YER, noun One who contradicts or denies what is alleged; an opposer. 

Luke 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Mat 10:18-20; Mark 13:10-11; Luke 21:12-15

·       Jesus told his apostles that when they would be taken and persecuted that they should not have to think about what they would say because He would give them the words to answer their accusers or opposers

·       Acts 6:8-10, 7:2-53, 54 Stephen did not take a prepared speech out of his pocket and read it

·       Acts 2:42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

When the apostles preached, taught or answered their words did not come from sermon notes,they came from the Holy Ghost. Their doctrine was supported by the Old Testament scripture but the actual words were not their own. When what they spoke was written down it became scripture.

Heb 1:1 The prophets received direct revelation from God.

·       What Paul recorded in his epistles were not his words.

·       Gal 1:11-12; 2Cor 12:2-4

2Peter 1:16-19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

·       Peter wrote they were eyewitnesses of his majesty and heard the voice from heaven (Mat 17:2,5)

·       Spurgeon: “The witness of Scripture is even surer than the voice heard in the mount.  How much then ought we to prize it!  How well content may we be without visions and revelations.”

·       If having this event recorded in scripture is better than actually witnessing it than we must realize that the Bible (KJV) we have is better that if we heard Paul preach in person.

Today apostolic authority is actual Biblical Authority. The age of the apostles ended; that is when the apostles received by direct inspiration the words to speak and to record (scripture). Our Bible is built upon the apostles doctrine.

The direct revelation from the Holy Ghost ended. Our answers must come from scripture.

·       2Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

·       Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers

v   Doctrine is God’s truth in God’s words.

v   Sound doctrine is doctrine that comes directly from God’s inspired, inerrant, preserved word.

Why must we be able to scripturally answer the gainsayers?

·       2Timothy 2:24-26

·       1Pe 3:15-16 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

·       Biblical answers may lead to the giving of the gospel.