What Jesus tells us about himself in these verses can be organized into three subjects. He speaks about how he does not seek glory for himself, but the Father glorifies him. He tells us that he knows the Father and keeps his word. And he speaks of himself in connection with Abraham.
Read John 8:48-58
We accept the Bible because in it God speaks with authority. However, the Bible also give us reasons to confirm our faith that it is the Word of God. We can use these to answer questions people might have about our conviction that the Bible is God’s revelation.
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8
From this passage we learn that unbelievers know God, suppress the truth, are futile in their thinking, are idolaters and are under the wrath of God.
Read Romans 1:18-25
In this passage, Jesus contrasts being a child of Abraham with being a child of the devil as he continues to interact with the Jews.
Read John 8:37-47
Jesus teaches that apart from salvation we are slaves to sin. Jesus came to set us free from the slavery to sin. We are given this freedom as we hold to Jesus teaching.
Read John 8:31-41
The Bible declares the existence of God as our creator to whom we owe our existence and to whom we are accountable. It also teaches explicitly that true knowledge begins with God. Apologetics must therefore begin with the Bible and from that position show that any other starting point leads to irrationality.
Read Genesis 1:1-31
By the way in which Paul preaches to the philosophers in Athens, Paul gives a helpful example of how to bring the gospel to people with different worldviews.
Read Acts 17:16-32
Jesus had claimed to be the light of the world. The Pharisees did not accept this claim thus indicating that they were walking in darkness. In the interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees in these verses, the contrast between the light and the darkness is observed.
Read John 8:19-30
Jesus claims to be the light of the world and calls us to follow him. When asked by the Pharisees about the validity of his claim, Jesus give two reasons. 1) “I know where I came from and where I am going.” 2) “My other witness is the one who sent me – the Father.” Jesus’ point is that we are to believe his claims for these reasons.
Read John 8:12-18
This is a key passage instructing Christians to be prepared to defend their faith. Peter begins by exhorting us: “in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” Apologetics must flow from a relationship with Christ as Lord. Peter assumes that Christians will have enough contact with unbelievers that they will be asked to give the reason for the hope that they have and he urges us to be prepared to do so.
Read 1 Peter 3:15-16
