Zacharias announced earlier this year that he was suffering from severe pain in his spine and would undergo surgery. A malignant tumor of the sacrum called sarcoma was discovered in March.

He battled the disease with the help of top doctors, but his daughter announced less than two weeks ago that no further medical treatments were available.

The apologist founded his international apologetics ministry, RZIM, in 1984, and has been widely sought after for decades for his eloquent answers to life's biggest questions.

"[Ravi] saw the objections and questions of others not as something to be rebuffed, but as a cry of the heart that had to be answered," said Michael Ramsden, president of RZIM. "People weren't logical problems waiting to be solved; they were people who needed the person of Christ. Those who knew him well will remember him first for his kindness, gentleness, and generosity of spirit. The love and kindness he had come to know in and through Jesus Christ was the same love he wanted to share with all he met."

Zacharias was a prolific author, debater, and academic throughout his life, reaching skeptics with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"It was his Savior, Jesus Christ, that my dad always wanted most to talk about," said Sarah Davis, CEO of RZIM. "Even in his final days, until he lacked the energy and breath to speak, he turned every conversation to Jesus and what the Lord had done. He perpetually marveled that God took a 17-year-old skeptic, defeated in hopelessness and unbelief, and called him into a life of glorious hope and belief in the truth of Scripture—a message he would carry across the globe for 48 years."

Zacharias is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margie; daughters, Sarah and Naomi; son, Nathan; and five grandchildren. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Donnie Wahlberg: 'The Most Important Thing I Ever Did Was to Give My Life to Christ'

'Fourth of July Miracle': Missing 4-Year-Old Found Alive after Walking Nearly Five Miles Along Oregon Coast

Christian Hollywood Star Exposes the Perverse, 'Demonic' Fraud Inside Foster Care System

Brazilian Judge Sentences Parents to Prison for Homeschooling Their Daughters

Little Sisters of the Poor Return to Court Again over Obama Contraception Mandate

WATCH: State Fails to Investigate Daycares with No Children Despite Media Reports

Trump on Iran Ceasefire, MoU: 'I Think It's Over'—US Retaliates after IRGC Attacks Civilian Ships

'Young Washington' Delivers Record Opening Weekend for Angel Studios

After an Emotional Loss to Belgium, the US Men's Team Continued to Give God the Glory

A 'Miracle': CCP Releases Pastor Ezra Jin

House Speaker Johnson Braces for a High-Stakes July with Everything on the Line

Why the NATO Summit in Ankara Matters to the US

New Report Details Secret Service Failures in Butler Assassination Attempt

Charlie Kirk's Family Faces Accused Killer Tyler Robinson for the First Time as Murder Case Moves Forward

'The Passion of the Christ' Getting Theatrical Re-Release Ahead of Highly Anticipated Sequel

A Sweet Update on That Oregon Couple Who Stepped Up at the Great American State Fair

The World Lights Up for America's 250th, While the American Left Opts to Whine About It

The America 250 Celebration in DC Was One for the History Books (Videos)

Must Watch: Katharine Birbalsingh's Fiery ARC Speech-How Schools Are Destroying the Moral Core of the West (Video)

DHS Condemns Minnesota Pardon of Convicted Child Rapist