The North American church focuses quite a bit of attention on two specific religious holidays — Easter and Christmas. However, some Apostolic believers, including many outside North America, express concern about the pagan origins and overtones of these two holidays, as well as their connection to Catholicism. Consequently, these believers argue that Christians shouldn’t participate in Christmas and Easter celebrations. Dr. David K. Bernard examines this question in light of the residual influen...
Dec 06, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Reformed theology, also known as Calvinism, teaches that God predestined some people to be saved, while others are predestined to be lost. This teaching also has been called “unconditional election,” and it is based in-part on verses such as Romans 8:29, where Paul says God knew in advance those who were “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son,” and Romans 11:5, where Paul refers to “the election of grace.” Dr. David K. Bernard examines whether the Bible supports this doctrine, and ...
Nov 29, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 31
One of the distinctive doctrines of the Oneness Pentecostal movement is baptism in the name of Jesus. Whereas other Christians groups typically baptize converts “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Apostolic Pentecostals baptize exclusively in Jesus' name. Consequently, they sometimes are referred to as the “Jesus’ Name Pentecostals” or even the “Jesus Only” movement. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains the biblical rationale behind this emphasis on ...
Nov 22, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Tattoos have become very popular, particularly among young people. One poll found that 40 percent of Americans under the age of 35 have a tattoo . Many prominent Christian musicians and singers, and even some high-profile preachers, have been seen sporting tattoos. This raises the question: from a biblical perspective, are tattoos just a harmless form of self-expression, or is there more to consider? Dr. David K. Bernard examines this current trend in light of scriptural principles and reviews w...
Nov 15, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Transgenderism, or the idea that a person’s gender identity can differ from their anatomical identity at birth, is a hotly debated topic in Western culture. Legislation has been passed and lawsuits filed addressing and challenging transgender-related issues at all levels of society, from education to athletics to the workplace. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard discusses transgenderism from a biblical perspective and outlines how the church can respond to the current cultural conversation. D...
Nov 08, 2021•16 min•Season 1Ep. 28
There are many different English translations of the Bible - more than 450, according to one source. This smorgasbord of options can be confusing, especially for new believers with limited knowledge of the differences between various translations. It also raises important questions: what English translation most accurately reflects what the original authors wrote? What version of the Bible should Apostolic Pentecostals read? Dr. David K. Bernard explains the philosophy behind different methods o...
Nov 01, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding reception, so isn't it OK for Christians to drink alcohol? Can Christians drink in moderation, as long as they don't get drunk? The question of whether the Bible condones drinking is hotly debated by many Christians in our present age. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard reviews both ancient history and the biblical text to answer the question of whether modern-day believers are granted the liberty to drink alcoholic beverages. If you enjoy t...
Oct 25, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In the popular imagination, Heaven is a faraway place in the clouds where Saint Peter stands beside a golden gate and everyone is dressed in white robes while strumming harps. But does this image accurately reflect the teachings of Scripture? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Bible says about Heaven and offers his thoughts on what eternity could be like for believers. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We als...
Oct 18, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Does God really care about our hair? Apostolic Pentecostals historically have taught that women should not cut their hair, and that men should keep their hair cut short. This teaching is based on 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 , where the apostle Paul provides instruction on proper conduct in the church. Many modern Christians ignore Paul's teaching on hair, considering it a cultural relic of a bygone era. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard reviews what the Bible says about hair and its role in g...
Oct 11, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 24
The Bible was written long ago, and the original authors have been dead for centuries. Not a single copy of the original writings remains in existence - all we have today are copies of copies. Consequently, skeptics have questioned whether the Bible we have today truly reflects what the original authors wrote. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains the science of "textual criticism" and affirms why modern readers can trust that the Bible we have today accurately conveys the wor...
Oct 04, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Is gambling a sin or just harmless entertainment? In the United States, you can hardly visit a gas station or grocery store without being offered an opportunity to purchase a lottery ticket or engage in some other form of gambling. Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the most popular travel destinations in the country, primarily due to legalized gambling. Local and state governments frequently tout legalized gambling as a viable way to increase revenues. Suffice it to say that gambling is a popular pas...
Sep 27, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 22
When God gave the Ten Commandments, the fourth command was that His people should “remember the Sabbath” and “keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). God told the people of Israel that they should work for six days, but rest on the seventh. To this day, observant Jews worship on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Because of this, some argue that Christians violate the fourth commandment by worshipping primarily on Sunday. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard responds to that accusation and shares...
Sep 20, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Both the Old and New Testaments affirm that God blesses those who are generous with their resources. Some of these verses have become the basis for what is commonly called the "prosperity gospel." According to prosperity gospel teachers, it is God's will for believers to be financially prosperous and physically healthy, and this wealth and health can be attained through faith, speaking positive words, and financial giving. Dr. David K. Bernard discusses whether the Bible actual su...
Sep 13, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Suicide brings crushing grief to thousands of families every year, including Christian families. When a Christian takes their own life, loved ones often wrestle with doubt about the deceased individual's eternal destiny, further deepening the sense of loss and grief. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses the topic of suicide from both a theological and a pastoral perspective, examining what the Bible says about the value of human life while offering comfort to those who have lost ...
Sep 06, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 19
It seems evil has never been more prevalent or as accessible as it is today. Smartphones and other digital technology allow us to easily transact business, but can also destroy our souls by granting almost instant access to immorality. Dr. David K. Bernard provides biblical guidance on how believers can protect themselves from moral impurity in an internet-driven world and follow the guidance of King David, who said, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes" (Psalm 101:3). In this ...
Aug 30, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 18
How can a person know if God is calling them to be a preacher? Throughout the epistles, the apostle Paul repeatedly refers to his personal call to preach the gospel. Paul had a dramatic encounter with God on the road to Damascus, as recorded in Acts 9. But is God’s call always as dramatic as what Paul experienced? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains what it means to be called to ministry while offering practical guidance on responding to that call. If you are interested in obtaining c...
Aug 23, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Pentecostals believe firmly in divine healing. This belief is based on Scriptures such as James 5:14–15 , which says that, if a person is sick, they should ask the elders of the church to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord, with the expectation that God will work a miracle. In Mark 16:18 , Jesus promised believers that they would lay hands on the sick and see them recover. However, personal experience shows that not everyone who receives prayer or is anointed with oil is healed. Dr. Da...
Aug 16, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 16
There has been much discussion in the media recently about Critical Race Theory (CRT). Some U.S. states have even banned the teaching of CRT in K-12 public school classrooms. The debate has been hotly contested and, in some instances, has spilled over into churches and religious denominations. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains CRT and discusses whether this idea is compatible with the teachings of Scripture. He reviews the history of slavery and race relations in the United States w...
Aug 09, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 15
This month, many Apostolic students will head off to college. Those who are attending a secular college or university will be exposed to teachings, beliefs, and practices that directly contradict the Scriptures. Is it possible for students to maintain biblical beliefs and an Apostolic lifestyle in this setting? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard shares his personal experiences as a student at both Rice University and the University of Texas, as well as insights gleaned from his days as a past...
Aug 02, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Are New Testament Christians biblically obligated to support the modern nation of Israel? How do Old Testament commands such as "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6) apply to modern believers? How should Christians respond to the claims of Palestinians and others who are engaged in ongoing conflict with the State of Israel? Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Bible says about the relationship between God's original chosen people and the church. He also reviews biblica...
Jul 26, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Pentecostals believe and teach that speaking in tongues is the initial sign or evidence that a person has received the gift of the Holy Spirit. But does the Bible support this claim? Furthermore, is the baptism of the Holy Spirit a requirement for salvation? This episode is the continuation of the answer to last week's question. Picking up the story in Acts 10, Dr. David K. Bernard completes his review of what Acts says about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Bernard explains why everyone...
Jul 19, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Pentecostals believe and teach that speaking in tongues is the initial sign or evidence that a person has received the gift of the Holy Spirit. But does the Bible support this claim? Furthermore, is the baptism of the Holy Spirit a requirement for salvation? In this first episode of a two-part series, Dr. Bernard reviews what the Book of Acts has to say about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and he explains why all believers should expect to receive this gift, along with the accompanying sign of ...
Jul 12, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Jack Phillips , owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, is a professing Christian who has made it clear he will not create custom cakes that express messages which conflict with his religious beliefs. Because of this, Mr. Phillips has been sued, fined, harassed, and publicly reviled. His legal case made it all the way to the United States Supreme Court, where justices ruled in his favor . But despite this victory, Phillips has continued to face legal action for exercising his religi...
Jul 05, 2021•9 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Is giving ten percent of our income to God (also known as "tithing") an Old Testament ordinance or a New Testament obligation? God challenged the people of Israel through the prophet Malachi to pay their tithes, with the promise that, if they did, He would bless them ( Malachi 3:8-12 ). But are New Testament believers obligated to fulfill this Old Testament command? Are those who teach that New Testament believers should tithe living under the Law and not under grace? What does the Bib...
Jun 28, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 9
In describing the baptism of Jesus, Matthew wrote, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'" (Matthew 3:16-17, NKJV). Some have pointed to this passage and the other Gospel accounts of the baptism of Jesus as proof that the Godhead is co...
Jun 21, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 8
In Revelation 13:16–18 , the apostle John describes a vision of a prophetic event that has come to be known as the “mark of the Beast.” John wrote that, unless a person receives this mark, they will be unable to transact business. Over the centuries, scholars have debated what this mark might be and how it could be implemented. Recently, some have speculated that perhaps the COVID-19 vaccine might be the mark, or at least a precursor to its arrival. In this episode, Dr. Bernard reviews what the ...
Jun 14, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 7
What happens to us when we die? Since death is a reality for everyone, it is a question all of us should consider. The Bible has much to say about what happens when we die. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told a story of a rich man and a poor beggar in which He indicated that, after death, the rich man was in hell while the beggar, Lazarus, was in a place of peace and rest. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul stated that, for Christians, “to be absent from the body" is "to be present with the Lord.” Ho...
Jun 07, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 6
How should Apostolic believers respond when a close family member announces that they identify as a homosexual? Should Christians attend a gay marriage ceremony? Dr. David K. Bernard addresses these increasingly commonplace scenarios and discusses how Apostolic Pentecostals can demonstrate God's love to others while standing for biblical truth. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share ...
May 31, 2021•7 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning." If Christians, including Oneness Pentecostals, share a common set of beliefs, why are so many churches and religious organizations split along racial lines? Dr. David K. Bernard answers this critical question while exploring the interracial roots of Oneness Pentecostalism and explaining why we must recapture the racial unity of those early yea...
May 24, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In 1 Corinthians 12:30, the apostle Paul asked, "Do all speak with tongues?" Pentecostals teach that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Does this belief contradict Paul's teachings? Dr. David K. Bernard answers this question and explores the difference between the gift of tongues and tongues as the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podc...
May 17, 2021•10 min•Season 1Ep. 3
