Apostolic Life in the 21st Century

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 fou...

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 t...

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 o...

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 wit...

How does God judge aborted babies, infants, the mentally challenged, and others who are unable to respond to the gospel? Does the Bible support the idea of an "age of accountability"?  Dr. David K. Bernard tackles this age-old question by examining what the Bible says about God's judgment, grace, and love. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your pref...

The Bible clearly paints a picture of God as a loving Creator and Savior who cares for everyone. At the same time, the Bible also is very adamant that there will be a day of judgement in which God banishes unbelievers to a place of everlasting torment. To many, this seems like a contradiction. How can a supposedly loving God punish people for eternity just because they didn't hold the right s...

Oneness Pentecostals sometimes are accused of preaching salvation by works, particularly because they insist that full salvation includes water baptism. Often the person leveling the charge will cite Ephesians 2:8–9, where Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Dr. David K. Bernard res...

In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus referred to what has become known as “the unpardonable sin.” He said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men" (NKJV). Jesus' statement has caused some to fear that perhaps they have committed a sin that God will not forgive. But what did Jesus really mean? Dr. David K. Bernard examines the co...

Political involvement can feel like an ethical minefield for Christians. In most elections, no candidate on the ballot fully represents Christian values. Considering this, what level of involvement should Christians have in politics? Should Christians run for office, donate to candidates and causes, or volunteer to be part of political campaigns? What guidelines should Christians consider when cas...

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent his life working tirelessly to secure civil rights for every US citizen, regardless of their skin color. While great strides have been made in this area, recent events show that much work remains to be done. Dr. David K. Bernard addresses the legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement and the role the Bible and America's founding documents played in Dr....

Many believers have committed to read and study the Bible in 2022. But how can we make our reading and study efforts as effective as possible? If you want to become a more knowledgeable student of God's Word, this episode is for you. Dr. David K. Bernard shares tips and strategies for enhancing your personal study of the Scriptures, as well as a review of some of his favorite Bible study reso...

Jesus Christ had a twofold identity - He was both God and man. Most questions about the Godhead can be resolved if we properly understand this reality. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Scriptures say about the dual identity of Jesus. For an in-depth exploration of this topic, see Dr. Bernard's books The Oneness of God and The Oneness View of Jesus Christ . Both titles a...

The past two years have been unpredictable and chaotic. From the ongoing global pandemic to rising inflation to political and cultural unrest, the challenges facing the world are numerous. In addition, Western culture continues to drift further from biblical values with each passing day. Considering all of this, what does the future hold for the church? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard addres...

Dr. David K. Bernard has an extensive résumé. He currently serves as the general  superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International . He previously served as the founding pastor of New Life United Pentecostal Church in Austin, Texas, a thriving congregation that has planted 16 additional churches. Dr. Bernard also is the founding president of Urshan College and Urshan Graduate School o...

Dr. Bernard is a voracious reader who regularly finishes multiple books per week. In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. Bernard shares a few of his favorite titles from the past year, as well as some of the books he's read over the years that have impacted his life the most deeply. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast...

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 a...

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 “...

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” move...

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 consid...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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&qu...