Apostolic Life in the 21st Century

Latest Episodes:

Are There Modern-Day Apostles and Prophets? May 02, 2022

Show notes

In Ephesians 4:11, the apostle Paul lists five ministerial offices: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Most modern churches and Christian organizations recognize pastors, teachers, and even evangelists, but are hesitant to use the labels apostle and prophet. Are these two offices no longer relevant to the operation of the church?
In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard examines each office in the five-fold ministry and explains how these roles function in the modern Apostolic church.
For more on this topic, see Dr. Bernard's book Spiritual Leadership in the Twenty-First Century, available at PentecostalPublishing.com. The United Pentecostal Church International's official position paper on church government is available at UPCI.org.
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What Does the Bible Say about Facial Hair? Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

Anyone who has been part of the Oneness Pentecostal movement for any length of time knows that facial hair on men has been a somewhat controversial topic. Dr. David K. Bernard explains why and how previous generations of Apostolics in North America came to view facial hair in a negative light. He also examines what the Bible says about facial hair, and how Apostolic Pentecostals should approach the subject today.
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Why Shouldn’t I Stay Home and Watch Church Online? Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit North America and government officials asked everyone to quarantine, many churches began streaming worship services via the internet. Online services proved to be a great evangelism tool, and many churches continued the practice even after in-person worship resumed. But pastors report that some members have opted to permanently forgo in-person worship in favor of more convenient online services.
Is online church a sufficient replacement for in-person worship? Dr. David K. Bernard responds to this question by explaining why attending a physical church location offers numerous spiritual advantages over worshipping from the comfort of your living room.
If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also greatly appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with your family and friends.
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Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

This Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But while believers rejoice, skeptics scoff. They argue that bodily resurrection from the dead is a physical impossibility and the Gospel accounts of an empty tomb are little more than fairy tales.
Dr. David K. Bernard responds to critics by sharing logical reasons to believe that the Gospel writers were telling the truth when they gave witness to Jesus' resurrection.
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Should Apostolics Read the Apocrypha? Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

Some Christian groups, including the Roman Catholic Church, have accepted as canonical or semi-canonical several Jewish writings dating from about 200 BC to 30 BC (and one from about AD 100). These writings are commonly called the Apocrypha. Fourteen such writings even appeared in the original edition of the King James Version. So why isn't the Apocrypha included in most modern Bibles?
Dr. David K. Bernard offers a brief overview of the Apocrypha and explains why neither the early church nor modern Oneness Pentecostals view these writings as divinely inspired.
If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also greatly appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with your family and friends.
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Should Christians Be Concerned about Climate Change? Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

Late in 2021, a series of tornadoes swept across the Mid-South region of the United States, killing dozens of people and destroying millions of dollars in property. Almost immediately, some politicians pinned the blame on manmade climate change. This has been a recurring refrain: according to the media and some politicians, climate change is the culprit behind every natural disaster, and immediate action must be taken to avert a global crisis.
Dr. David K. Bernard examines these claims along with what the Bible says about Christian stewardship of the natural world. In doing so, he offers guidance on how Christians can respond to claims of a looming climate disaster.
If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also greatly appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with your family and friends.
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Is America a Christian Nation? Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

A debate currently is raging in the United States over the principles of the country's founding. On one side are those who argue that the American system of government was established on Judeo-Christian principles by men who were predominantly Christian, or at least were profoundly influenced by Christianity. Opponents of this view argue that America is fundamentally flawed because it was founded on unjust practices such as slavery and the violent exploitation of indigenous people.
Dr. David K. Bernard offers his thoughts on whether America really is "one nation under God" as the Pledge of Allegiance affirms or a society built on a foundation of oppression and injustice.
If you are interested in exploring this question further, Dr. Bernard recommends the following resources:

Lincoln at Gettysburg by Gary Wills
A New Birth of Freedom: Abraham Lincoln and the Coming of the Civil War by Harry Jaffa
If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty by Eric Metaxas

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When Will the Rapture Happen? Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

Will Christians be caught up into the sky in an event known as the "Rapture"? Does the Bible say when this event will occur? Critics like to point out that the word rapture doesn’t appear anywhere in Scripture. Some argue that the modern idea of the Rapture originated in the 1800s with John Nelson Darby and was made popular by the Scofield Reference Bible.
Dr. David K. Bernard responds to the critics and answers these questions by laying out what the Scriptures say about this world-changing event.
If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also greatly appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with your family and friends.
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Is the Earth Only 6,000 Years Old? Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

Many scientists say geological findings and other natural phenomena prove the earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old. On the other hand, young earth creationism argues that the biblical record shows that the earth is only 6,000-10,000 years old. Does science contradict Scripture? If so, which is right?
Dr. David K. Bernard examines the claims of both modern science and the opening chapters of the Book of Genesis and offers his thoughts on how Christians should interpret the Creation account and what the Bible says about the natural world.
In this episode, Dr. Bernard references the following resources:

Mapping the Origins Debate: Six Models of the Beginning of Everything by Gerald Rau
Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary by C. John Collins
Seven Days that Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science by John C. Lennox
Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique, edited by J. P. Moreland

Is It a Sin to Use Cannabis Products? Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

Apostolic Pentecostals have always taken a stand against recreational drug use, including the use of marijuana. But recent developments have seen marijuana go mainstream, with some physicians even prescribing it for medicinal purposes. Products infused with cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical found in marijuana, also have become popular. But are these marijuana-based products and remedies compatible with Christian teaching?
Dr. David K. Bernard answers this question by reviewing what the Bible says about Christian stewardship of the body.
In the episode, Dr. Bernard references a Mayo Clinic article titled "What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use?"
If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also greatly appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with your family and friends.
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