By Morris Wambua

Disclaimer

I rarely begin with a disclaimer, but on this I have no otherwise. I had to begin with a disclaimer to invite us to reason together. It was necesssary for you who will read this article, and feel like I am drifting toward intellectualism at the expense of revelation.

Now, come let us reason together. We are called to win souls, not arguments and in everything, the Bible remains our manual.

Peter and Paul were "two very different marketing gurus"—one with a megaphone at a busy street corner and the other hosting a TED Talk for philosophers.

Take Paul, for example. The guy was a scholar. He probably had more degrees than a thermometer!

In Acts 17, he strolls into Athens and starts a philosophical throwdown at the Areopagus, quoting their own poets and everything! Paul knew the game—if you're in a room full of intellectuals, you
better bring more than a fish and a loaf of bread.

His audience wasn’t going to be swayed by a sermon with jazz hands; they needed logic, reasoning, and a little name-dropping from their favorite philosophers. Paul’s message was like the intellectual version of a fine wine—it needed to breathe, be savored, and analyzed.

Then there’s Peter.

No PhDs here—just a humble fisherman with a fiery passion and, oh yeah, the Holy Spirit on speed dial.

In Acts 2, Peter hits the streets of Jerusalem like a street preacher on the day of Pentecost, and BOOM, three thousand people are converted on the spot.

His method? Direct, bold, and filled with the kind of spiritual energy that could get a rock concert crowd waving their hands in the air. Peter wasn’t about intellectual debates; he was about raw, powerful truth, delivered straight to the heart.

Now, why does this matter?

Because their different styles fit their audiences perfectly. Peter was the guy you’d want to rally the masses, the everyday people in the marketplace.

Paul, though? He was your guy for the skeptics, the ones with their noses buried in scrolls, hanging out in the ancient equivalent of coffee shops, talking about existentialism.

You weren't likely to find Paul's audience at a bus stop (if they had those in ancient times)—more like the first-century version of a lecture hall.

In Acts 26, Paul’s standing before King Agrippa and Festus, the Roman governor underscores the spiritual utility of knowledge, and deep understanding in reaching this particular demographic segment.

The stakes are high, but does Paul flinch? Nope. He recounts his dramatic "road to Damascus" moment with all the finesse of a lawyer making a closing argument. Festus is so flustered he accuses Paul of being mad, to which Paul coolly responds, "Mad? Me? No, my friend, I’m just telling you some sober truth."

King Agrippa is so moved he practically says, “Paul, you almost had me signing up for Christianity right then and there!” Paul knew how to talk the talk and walk the walk with the intellectual elite.

Here’s the kicker: not everyone is going to respond to street-corner sermons or emotionally charged appeals. Some folks need a little more logic with their faith, a side of philosophy with their theology.

These are the ones on their own "road to Damascus" moments, and when they encounter God, it can be just as life-changing as Paul’s conversion.

So, in the end, it’s all about knowing your audience.

Peter had the megaphone, Paul had the podium, and together, they made sure the Gospel reached everyone—from the commoner in the street to the scholar in the synagogue.

Both approaches were key to spreading the Word far and wide, proving that there’s more than one way to fulfill the Great Commission—whether you're holding a fish or quoting a philosopher.

Please keep that in mind as you read this article. Thank you!

Introduction:The Heart of the Christian Question

For many Christians, the question of whether God has worked a miracle in their lives is not just a matter of curiosity but a profound and personal inquiry. It's a question that delves deep into the essence of faith: Is my own heart evidence of divine intervention, or is it merely the product of moral choices and personal development?

This questionis not only central to individual faith but also to the effectiveness of the Gospel's message to others. One of the greatest challenges facing the spread of the Gospel isn't the absence of compelling answers to theological questions.

Rather, it's the failure of some believers to fully embody the life-changing message they proclaim. As more skeptics—particularly those from other religious traditions—argue that conversion is simply a moral decision and not a supernatural transformation, this dilemma becomes even more critical.

If conversion is truly supernatural, why isn't it more evident in the daily lives of so many believers?

This line of questioning strikes at the heart of Christian witness.

Intellectual arguments for the Christian faith may be persuasive, but skeptics often remain unconvinced if they do not see a tangible transformation in the lives of those who advocate the faith.

For many, the Gospel is seen before it is heard.

The Power of Personal Transformation: A Key to Evangelism

In evangelism, the most compelling argument for the truth of Christianity often isn't a logical or intellectual debate—it's the transformation evident in the lives of believers.

The Bible repeatedly underscores the importance of this transformation.

Romans 12:2 urges Christians, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The passage emphasizes that transformation is central to the Christian experience.

Yet the inconsistency in the lives of many Christians calls into question the reality of this transformation.

Why do so many who profess belief in Jesus Christ appear to live lives indistinguishable from those who do not share their faith?

Skeptics often point to this gap as evidence that Christian conversion is no more supernatural than the decision to live according to any other moral or philosophical framework. While Christians
assert that they have been "born again," set apart from the world, the lack of a noticeable difference in character and conduct weakens this claim.

This isn't merely a modern problem.

Throughout history, Christians have struggled with the disparity between what they believe and how they live. The Apostle Paul lamented this tension in his letter to the Romans: "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing" (Romans 7:19).

Paul recognized that the Christian life is a battle between the flesh and the spirit, a battle that doesn't end with conversion but continues throughout the believer's life.

The Role of Apologetics: Why Personal Transformation Matters

The field of Christian apologetics—the intellectual defense of the Christian faith—relies heavily on believers' personal transformations.

1 Peter 3:15 instructs believers to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

However, this verse is often quoted out of context.

The preceding words emphasize that Christians must first “revere Christ as Lord” in their hearts before they can effectively defend their faith.

This highlights a crucial point: the heart of the apologist matters.

The ability to provide a defense for Christianity is not just intellectual—it’s deeply personal and spiritual. The character of the one giving the defense is as important as the content of the defense itself.

This connection between message and character cannot be overstated.

The quality of the apologist’s life is intertwined with the credibility of the answers they give.

If a believer claims that Jesus Christ has changed their life but shows no evidence of this change in
their daily conduct, their message is weakened.

As Paul warned in 1 Corinthians 13:1, even the most eloquent defense of the faith is meaningless without love and a transformed life.

Addressing Skepticism: Is Conversion a Moral Decision or Supernatural Transformation?

One of the most common arguments from skeptics is that conversion to Christianity is simply a moral decision rather than a supernatural transformation. Other religions, they argue, also promote moral reform and personal growth.

Why should Christianity be any different?

This is where the uniqueness of the Christian concept of being "born again" comes into play. Unlike other faiths that may focus on ethical living or enlightenment, Christianity teaches that salvation involves a complete transformation of the heart, not merely an improvement in moral behavior.

Jesus explained this to Nicodemus in John 3:3, stating, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

This concept of being "born again" goes beyond a moral decision. It implies a radical reorientation of one's life through the work of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 emphasizes that "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

In this view, conversion isn't about trying harder to be good—it's about a fundamental change in one's nature through the power of God. However, if this transformation is so radical, why isn't it more visible in the lives of believers?

The answer may lie in the ongoing process of sanctification. Conversion is the beginning of the Christian life, not the end. While the believer is justified (made right with God) at the moment of conversion, sanctification (the process of becoming more like Christ) is a lifelong journey.

The Tension Between Justification and Sanctification

Theologians have long distinguished between justification and sanctification in the Christian life.

Justification is an instantaneous act of God, declaring the believer righteous through faith in Christ. Sanctification, however, is the process by which the believer is gradually transformed into the image of Christ.

This distinction helps explain why the transformation that comes with conversion may not always be immediately visible. While a believer is justified the moment they place their faith in Christ, sanctification takes time.

Old habits, thought patterns, and behaviors do not disappear overnight.

Moreover, sanctification is not something the believer accomplishes alone. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within the believer and gradually transforms them from the inside out.

Philippians 1:6 offers encouragement to believers, reminding them that "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

This process of sanctification underscores the ongoing nature of the Christian life. While the believer has been saved, they are also being saved, as they continue to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.

As this transformation progresses, it should become more and more evident in the believer's life.

The Importance of Authentic Christian Witness

The importance of authenticity in Christian witness cannot be overstated. As mentioned earlier, the Gospel is often seen before it is heard. For many people, the first encounter with Christianity
comes not through reading the Bible or listening to a sermon, but through interacting with a Christian.

If the believer’s life does not reflect the transformation they claim, it becomes a stumbling block for those who might otherwise be open to the message of the Gospel.

Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 5:16, instructing His followers to "let your light shine before
others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

The life of the believer is meant to be a testimony to the power of the Gospel.

When Christians live in a way that reflects the love, grace, and truth of Jesus Christ, they become a living witness to the reality of God's transformative power.

Conversely, when believers live in a way that is inconsistent with their faith, it undermines the credibility of their message.

Conclusion: Examining the Heart

The question, "Has God truly worked a miracle in my life?" is one that every Christian must ask themselves. It is not enough to merely profess faith; the reality of that faith must be evident in the believer’s life.

This is not to say that believers will live perfectly, but there should be a visible difference between the life of a Christian and the life of someone who does not know Christ. Ultimately, the task of the Christian apologist begins with self-examination.

Before defending the faith to others, believers must first ask whether their own lives reflect the transformative power of God.

Does my heart reflect the miracle of God's grace?

Is my life a testimony to the truth of the Gospel?

When Christians embody the message they proclaim, they become the most compelling argument for the truth of the Gospel. The consistency between the message and the lifestyle is essential for a powerful and credible Christian witness.

For believers struggling to see evidence of transformation in their own lives, the call is clear: return to the fundamentals of faith, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification. Engage in regular self-examination and prayer, asking God to reveal areas of the heart that need transformation.

For skeptics observing the Christian faith, the challenge is to look beyond individual believers' imperfections and consider the person of Christ, the ultimate example of transformed life. In the end, true conversion is supernatural,and the evidence of that transformation will increasingly become visible as believers grow in their relationship with God.