Apologetics

What does it really mean to be "born again"? In John 3, a religious leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night and hears that he must be "born again." In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt explains the doctrine of regeneration — the real, inward change God works when someone comes to Christ.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Is being "born again" just a figure of speech? No. It describes a genuine spiritual new birth — God making a dead heart alive. Something truly changes when a person is brought to Christ.

2. Can we give ourselves this new birth? No. Just as no one chooses their natural birth, the new birth is God's work in us, received by faith, not achieved by effort.

3. Why is it necessary? Jesus says plainly that without it no one can see the kingdom of God. Regeneration is not optional; it is essential to salvation. "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'" — John 3:3 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

The devil is real. And the whole world is under his sway. That was the Apostle John’s exact warning in 1 John 5. With that said, what does the devil’s “reality” mean for you? And presuming that he attacks believers and the church, how does he go about it? Click to listen to our latest study.

Are people basically good, bad, or neutral at birth? In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul explains that sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam, and spread to all. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt unpacks the doctrine of original sin — and why it matters for understanding ourselves and our need for Christ.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. What is "original sin"? The biblical teaching that we are born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam — not innocent or neutral, but fallen from the start.

2. Why does this doctrine matter? Because if we are merely "basically good," we don't need a Savior. Scripture says we do; our problem is deep and requires Christ.

3. Is there hope? Yes. Paul's point is that what came through one man, Adam, is overcome by another — the grace that comes through Jesus Christ. "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned..." — Romans 5:12 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Could you give a reason for what you believe?

In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are told to be ready to give a reason for the hope within them. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt considers some of the reasons for faith in God and His Word — and why every believer should be able to give an answer.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Are we required to defend our faith? Peter says to "always be ready" to give a defense for our hope. Faith is reasonable, and believers should be able to explain why they believe.

2. Does belief in God require leaving reason behind? No. Both belief and unbelief come with reasons; the Christian faith rests on solid ground, not blind feeling.

3. How are we to give our answer? "With meekness and fear" — humbly and respectfully, pointing people to Christ rather than winning arguments. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." — 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why do people see the world so differently? In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul contrasts the wisdom of this world with the wisdom of God, which only His Spirit reveals. In this sermon, Dr. Toby Holt examines the clash of worldviews and why God's truth is foolishness to the natural mind.

Questions this sermon answers:

1. Why do worldviews collide? Because the world's wisdom and God's wisdom are fundamentally different. What seems wise to the world is folly to God, and vice versa.

2. Why can't everyone simply see the truth? Because spiritual truth is spiritually discerned. The "natural man" cannot receive the things of God's Spirit on his own.

3. Where should our confidence rest? Not in human wisdom or clever arguments, but in the power of God and the truth of His Word. "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." — 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Are these the last days? According to the author of Hebrews, yes. But in these last days, we are not left alone. In these last days, we do not have to guess about God’s plan. And that’s because in these last days, God has spoken through His Son.