Apostolic Life in the 21st Century

Latest Episodes:

What about Matthew 28:19? Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus told His disciples to baptize their converts "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” So why did Peter preach that believers should "be baptized ... in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38)? How do we reconcile this apparent discrepancy between what Jesus commanded and what Peter said on the Day of Pentecost?
Dr. David K. Bernard examines the context of Jesus' words at the conclusion of Matthew's Gospel and explains how to bridge the seeming gap between what Jesus said and what His disciples did in the Book of Acts.
In this episode, Dr. Bernard references his books In the Name of Jesus and Understanding God's Word . Both titles are available from PentecostalPublishing.com.

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What Does a Healthy Church Look Like? Apr 10, 2023

Show notes

How do we know if a church is healthy? Should we look at average attendance, the number of conversions, the size of the offerings, or some other metric?
Dr. David K. Bernard looks to the Book of Acts to identify the vital signs of a healthy Apostolic church. His answer provides a New Testament template that pastors and ministry leaders can use to determine how their congregation compares with the early church.
In this episode, Dr. Bernard references his book Spiritual Leadership in the Twenty-First Century, available at PentecostalPublishing.com.

What about the Thief on the Cross? Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

The thief on the cross in Luke 23:32-43 was never baptized, never spoke in tongues, and never joined a church, but Jesus responded to his simple cry of faith by saying, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (verse 43, NKJV). Considering this, should we conclude that a simple prayer of faith is sufficient for salvation?
Dr. David K. Bernard examines this passage in the light of what the rest of Scripture says about salvation. He explains the importance of Peter's command in Acts 2:38 while responding to questions about the fate of those who, like the thief on the cross, face extenuating circumstances.

How Do We Empower the Next Generation of Leaders? Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Regardless of what ministry we are in, none of us will be in that ministry forever. A wise leader will plan for the inevitable day when he or she is no longer around. Dr. David K. Bernard shares his thoughts on ministry succession and offers advice on how leaders can empower the next generation.
In this episode, Dr. Bernard references his book Spiritual Leadership in the Twenty-First Century and Successful Succession: Preparing for a Pastoral Transition by Garry Tracy. Both titles are available at PentecostalPublishing.com.

Is Jesus God or God's Son? Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Oneness Pentecostals believe Jesus was God “manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16.) But the New Testament repeatedly refers to Jesus as the “Son of God.” What does this title mean? Does it indicate Jesus was somehow different from God, or less than God? Is Jesus God, or is He God’s Son?
Dr. David K. Bernard responds to this important question with a review of what the Bible says about the identity of Jesus Christ.

Does the New Testament Promote Socialism? Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Does the New Testament advocate communal living or a form of economic socialism? Those who believe it does point to Acts 2:44-45, where Luke wrote, "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need" (NKJV). Does this mean Apostolic Pentecostals should abandon modern capitalism and adopt a socialist model?
Dr. David K. Bernard responds to this frequently asked question by exploring what was happening in the Book of Acts and what modern believers can learn from the example of the early Christians.

What Is Spiritual Abuse? Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Is spiritual abuse real? If so, what are the warning signs that it is occurring? How can churches and ministry leaders prevent spiritual abuse from happening in the first place?
Dr. David K. Bernard responds to these timely questions by offering a biblical definition of the term "spiritual abuse" and explaining why accountability is the antidote.

Are Near-Death Experiences Real? Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

An entire genre of books is dedicated to sharing stories of people who died and claim they went to Heaven, only to return. Some of these works have sold millions of copies. The problem is that some of these accounts of the afterlife seem contradict Scripture. How should we respond to these stories? Dr. David K. Bernard responds with the scriptural view of life after death and his thoughts on near-death experiences.

Does Everyone Need a Pastor? Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Many Apostolic believers have heard the statement, “Everyone needs a pastor.” But does the Bible support this assertion? How does the role of pastor fit within the framework of the five ministry offices Paul referenced in Ephesians 4:11? Dr. David K. Bernard answers these questions and outlines the role of a pastor in the life of a believer.

What Is a Theophany? Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

One way God revealed Himself in the Old Testament and dealt with humans on their level was through the use of theophanies, a visible but usually temporary manifestation of the Almighty. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard shares examples of theophanies and explains why God chose to reveal Himself in this way. He also answers the question of whether Jesus Christ should be considered a theophany.
To learn more about this topic, see Dr. Bernard's books The Oneness of God and The Oneness View of Jesus Christ. Both titles are available at PentecostalPublishing.com.

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