Abri Brancken - The Chaplain’s Commentary

Acts 2:4 - and they spoke in tongues.... This message is a study on speaking in tongues.

A study on Acts 2 - Why did the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happen? What did it mean?

A study on Acts 1

A cloud took Jesus out of their sight. Clouds appear frequently in the Bible and often symbolise God’s presence, glory, guidance, judgment, mystery, and divine power. In this Study we focus on the various types of clouds in the Bible. The cloud that took Jesus into heaven is not carrying Jesus away into the weather system. It is supernatural, and it is the visible sign that He is entering the sphe...

Jesus said that the Father promised the Holy Spirit, but when did the Father promise the Holy Spirit? Where do we find that promise in the Bible? There are instances in the Gospels where the Holy Spirit is promised, e.g.• John 14:16 – The Father will give “another Helper” (the Spirit of truth).• John 14:26 – “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name…”• Luke 11:13 – “The he...

The opening chapter of Acts describes the events surrounding Jesus’ departure, marking the beginning of a new phase in God’s plan of salvation. In Acts, we see that the work of Jesus Christ is both finished and unfinished. His monumental work of redemption is complete (John 17:4), but his ministry and proclamation continue through his followers. The remainder of the New Testament narrates the cont...

The New Testamentis deeply rooted in the language, imagery, and theological framework of the OldTestament. Its writers consistently employ allusions, quotations, and narrativeechoes drawn from the Hebrew Scriptures to interpret the life, death, andresurrection of Jesus and to articulate the identity and mission of the earlyChristian community.   These OldTestament allusions are not merely decorati...

OUR STUDY FOCUS AND WHAT WE’RE EXPLORINGWelcome to our captivating exploration of the Book of Acts, a profound journey through the vibrant beginnings of the early followers of Christ. I invite you to embark on this enlightening path with us as we delve into the Book of Acts. Throughout this enriching study, we will journey through Acts chapter by chapter, offering a thorough examination that unvei...

From Genesis to Revelation,Scripture consistently pulls back the curtain on a world beyond sight, filledwith angels, fallen angels, and demonic powers, and other spiritual entities,contending for influence. The Bible never treats this realm as myth but as apresent and active reality shaping human history and destiny. For the believer,the real battlefield is not fought in flesh and blood, but in th...

We are living in changing and perilous times. As followers of the LORD, we must discern properly. In this message, Abri focuses on the importance of having Bible based discernment.

In our walk with the LORD, we gothrough various stages of spiritual growth. Not only do individuals go throughthese stages, but churches and even cultures do as well. Understanding thestages will help you extend more grace and mercy to those around you who arenot at the same Stage you are. Here are the four stages of spiritual development.

A father anchors the family with stability, direction, and protection. His words and actions shape how his children understand love, responsibility, and faith. By leading with integrity and presence, he builds confidence and security in those who depend on him. A father’s quiet strength and steady guidance often become the unseen foundation on which the whole home stands.

The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, commemorates God dwelling with His people in the wilderness, and it prophetically points to Jesus as the true Emmanuel, God dwelling among us, who provides living water and eternal shelter for all who believe in Him.

This is part 3 of a series entitled "Go tell the world". In this session, Abri will share how to structure your testimony. It is all about sharing your testimony as a witness to others. This series aims to help Christians share their faith in Jesus Christ practically and straightforwardly. We will focus on the salvation of people and how you can play a role in guiding someone to Christ....

This is part 2 of a series entitled "Go tell the world". It is all about sharing your testimony as a witness to others. This series aims to help Christians share their faith in Jesus Christ practically and straightforwardly. We will focus on the salvation of people and how you can play a role in guiding someone to Christ. Although the information I will be sharing is “basic” and “simple,...

This is part 1 of a series entitled "Go tell the world". It is all about sharing your testimony as a witness to others. This series aims to help Christians share their faith in Jesus Christ practically and straightforwardly. We will focus on the salvation of people and how you can play a role in guiding someone to Christ. Although the information I will be sharing is “basic” and “simple,...

This is Part 2 of the Episode entitled, "The Tallit". For us to understand he Bible better, we must adopt a hermeneutical (Bible interpretation) approach that prioritises interpreting the Bible within its original ancient context. This means that we should aim to interpret the Bible through the historical and cultural lens of its original audiences. To achieve this, a careful examination...

For us to understand the Bible better, we must adopt a hermeneutical (Bible interpretation) approach that prioritises interpreting the Bible within its original ancient context. This means that we should aim to interpret the Bible through the historical and cultural lens of its original audiences. To achieve this, a careful examination of the contextual background, original languages, and the surr...

When it comes to the most prominent and significant events in Scripture, God’s pattern is one of intimate protection. He walks with His people through fire, flood, famine, persecution,and wrath while judging the world around them. “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalm 23). That is something to rejoice over. Jesus never taught escape theology. He promised persecution and...

Parallels between Sinai and Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2.

About this podcast: Chapter 1: God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Jonah disobeys and boards a ship to Tarshish. A violent storm hits; Jonah tells the sailors to throw him overboard. As soon as they do, the sea calms, and Jonah is swallowed by a great fish. Chapter 2: From inside the fish, Jonah prays a poetic prayer of repentance and thanksgiving. After three da...

Understanding Bible verses and passages withintheir historical and cultural contexts is essential for grasping their true meaning. Without an awareness of the customs, religious practices, and worldview of the time, we risk misinterpreting the significance and depth of the text. In our exploration of why the Hebrews created a golden calf in thedesert while Moses was meeting with God on Mount Sinai...

If we claim to be Christ followers, we must develop the courage to assess and analyse what we believe and why we believe it. We must ask ourselves the question, “Am I right in what I believe the Bible says or am I following a popular view within the church or my Christian community that seems to be what the Bible is saying, but in fact is not. This exploration can be beautiful, but needless to say...

The Rabbis of Jesus’ day were famous for using specific teaching techniques when communicating God’s Word to people. The first-century rabbis were master storytellers and taught God’s Word using clever techniques. Through these teaching techniques, Jesus claimed to be God, their Messiah. Because we do not understand Jesus’ teaching techniques, we fail to see just how often Jesus claimed to be God....

We often do not understand Jesus' teaching because we do not understand his teaching techniques. In this episode, we will explore some of the techniques Jesus used to share His message.