Apostolic Life in the 21st Century

What do theological terms such as "church age" and "dispensation of grace" mean, and where did they originate? How do they fit within the framework of Bible prophecy and Oneness Pentecostal theology? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains dispensational theology and its implications. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or y...

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul wrote, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Does this mean Christian singles should not date someone who doesn't share their faith? What if the "significant other" is a Christian but not an Apostolic Pentecostal?  Dr. David K. Bernard discusses how Paul's statement applies to Christian singles who are considering marriage and who wa...

Many Christian denominations have been publicly debating the question of whether same-sex unions should be sanctioned by the church. Dr. David K. Bernard explains the United Pentecostal Church International's stance on this issue and why the organization holds this view. For more information on the UPCI's teachings about human sexuality, see the organization's official position pape...

In 1 Timothy 2:5, the apostle Paul wrote, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” Taken alone, this verse seems to indicate a distinction between God and Jesus Christ. Dr. David K. Bernard explains how Paul's statement fits with the whole of Scripture and its importance to understanding both salvation and the Oneness of God. If you enjoy this podcas...

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians to “desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, NKJV). What is the gift of prophecy, and why is it important? Dr. David K. Bernard explains how this spiritual gift operates and the value it brings to the church. For more information on this topic, see Dr. Bernard's book Spiritual Gifts , available at PentecostalPubli...

In this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day episode, Dr. David K. Bernard reviews the history of Pentecostalism in the United States to answer the question, "Was the United Pentecostal Church International founded on racism?" In this episode, Dr. Bernard references his books A History of Christian Doctrine - Volume 3   and Anchor Points . Both titles are available at PentecostalPublishing.com...

Many Christians begin a new year by committing to develop and strengthen their walk with Christ. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard discusses the spiritual practices and disciplines that can help believers deepen their faith and strengthen their relationship with God. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also a...

In this special New Year's Day episode, Dr. David K. Bernard reviews the highlights of the past year while looking ahead to what 2024 may bring. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

Should Christians replace holiday celebrations like Christmas and Easter with the Jewish festivals outlined in the Old Testament? Jesus and His earliest disciples observed the feasts of Israel, so why don't modern Christians do the same? Dr. David K. Bernard answers this timely question in this special holiday episode. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple...

In this special episode, Dr. David K. Bernard discusses his reading habits and how he routinely finishes more than 100 books per year. He shares his secret  for reading books quickly and retaining information. This conversation is for anyone who is serious about developing their mind and enhancing their ministry. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or...

Ministry is a never-ending responsibility. Consequently, many leaders struggle to maintain balance and prioritize family relationships, personal and spiritual health, and rest. Dr. David K. Bernard shares practical advice gained from his own experiences in ministry and leadership on how to avoid burnout in the face of hectic schedules and constant demands. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-s...

John 3:5 quotes Jesus as saying, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” What does the phrase "born of water" mean, and how does it apply to us? Dr. David K. Bernard examines the biblical text to provide an answer. For further study on this topic, see Dr. Bernard's book The New Birth ,  available at...

Some have cited 1 John 5:7 (“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one") as evidence that the Scriptures teach a plurality of persons in the Godhead. To make matters more confusing, many modern translations include the reference to “three witnesses” (NLT) or “three that testify” (NIV), but leave out any reference to the F...

Team ministry may seem like a great leadership concept, but how do you build a team when resources, including potential volunteers, are limited? Dr. David K. Bernard draws on his experiences as a church planter and pastor as he outlines steps any leader can take to start developing a ministry team today. For more church leadership insights related to this topic, see Dr. Bernard's books: Spiri...

On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on the nation of Israel, killing approximately 1,400 Israelis and kidnapping 241 hostages ( https://bit.ly/473w8sN ). Israel retaliated with an invasion of Gaza intended to rescue the hostages and destroy Hamas. The conflict continues to rage more than a month after the initial attack, resulting in a humanit...

Dr. David K. Bernard shares insights gained from his time as a church planter and pastor on navigating change and preparing for future growth. For more information on this subject, see Dr. Bernard's books Growing a Church and Spiritual Leadership in the Twenty-First Century . Both titles are available at PentecostalPublishing.com . Use the promotional code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent...

How do we determine the boundaries between areas of Christian liberty, as described by the apostle Paul in Romans 14, and non-negotiable biblical principles and commands? What is Christian liberty, and how far does it extend in the church and the life of the individual believer? Dr. David K. Bernard reviews what the Bible says about the topic of Christian liberty and how it applies to modern-day b...

Is Adam to blame for the fact that most of us must work to earn a living? Is work part of God's curse on humanity for sin? Dr. David K. Bernard looks at Genesis 3:17-19 to discover how we should view our daily tasks in light of Scripture. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share...

“Servant leadership” is a popular buzzword in Western culture. At first glance, this may seem like a contradiction. A servant performs duties on behalf of others­, often for those in positions of power. The individuals who occupy those positions of power are usually considered leaders. If this is the case, how can someone be a "servant leader"? Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Bibl...

The US Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than half of all women and almost one in three men will be the victim of some form of sexual violence during their lifetime. Those are sobering statistics. Unfortunately, these types of crimes are sometimes perpetrated by church members and leaders. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard shares what the United Pentecostal Church International i...

Paul told Timothy that Christian women should "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array" (1 Timothy 2:9, KJV). What does this mean for believers living in the modern world, and how do we define "costly array"? Dr. David K. Bernard explains the meaning of Paul's words and explores other...

The United Pentecostal Church International Manual, the handbook by which UPCI churches and ministers operate, notes that the organization practices a "congregational form of church government." What does this mean? More importantly, what does the Bible say about church government? Dr. David K. Bernard looks to the New Testament for clues on how churches should be organized, operated, an...

UPCI General Conference 2023 will be held this week at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. General Superintendent Dr. David K. Bernard previews what will be happening at this year's conference, and he shares reports of what God is doing around the world through the United Pentecostal Church International. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Pod...

The word tolerance is heard frequently in today’s world, often in the context of discussions about race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and even religion. Is tolerance a biblical virtue? If so, what does it look like in a world where so many people have such vastly different answers to life’s most important questions? Dr. David K. Bernard's answer will help Christians navigate the turbu...

In July 2023, a retired Air Force major testified before a congressional subcommittee that the US government has been aware of “non-human” activity since the 1930s. According to the former intelligence officer’s testimony, the US government has found and attempted to reverse-engineer unidentified flying objects, or UFOs, as they are commonly known. The Pentagon has denied these claims, but lawmake...