Apostolic Life in the 21st Century

The Center for the Study of Global Christianity at the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary reports that, as of 2019, there were 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide. How can Christians all claim to read the same book and yet arrive at such vastly different conclusions about what it says? Dr. David K. Bernard explains the three primary philosophies of biblical interpretation that have led to th...

This summer, a school district in north Texas elicited backlash when it implemented a new dress code for students that prohibited dresses and skirts . This is not the first time school or workplace dress codes have conflicted with Apostolic Pentecostal teachings and values, however. What should Apostolic believers do when school administrators or employers mandate attire that is immodest or does n...

Can a Christian fall away from faith and be eternally condemned? Theologians have debated this question for centuries. On one side of the argument are proponents of the doctrine of eternal security, or what is sometimes euphemistically referred to as “once saved, always saved." On the other side are adherents of what is known as "conditional security." In this episode, Dr. David K....

In some Christian traditions, converts are sprinkled with water at baptism, while in other churches baptismal candidates are fully submerged in water. Which method is biblically correct? Does God honor both? Dr. David K. Bernard examines the meaning of the word baptism and the New Testament examples of this practice to arrive at a conclusion. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a review...

Should Christians seek therapy when dealing with mental or emotional problems? Are psychotropic drugs an acceptable part of those treatments? What guidelines should Christians follow when dealing with mental health issues? Dr. David K. Bernard draws on his experiences as a pastor and the wisdom of the Scriptures to answer these important questions. If you enjoy this podcast, leave a rating and a r...

In a world filled with war and violence, how should Christians interpret Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount such as “Resist not evil” (Matthew 5:39) and “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also” (Luke 6:29, NKJV)? Are Christians supposed to stand aside while evil people destroy their homes, kill their family and neighbors, and steal their possessions? Dr. Bernard sha...

The latest fad in social media and elsewhere is for individuals to post their “preferred pronouns." The idea is that others should not assume your gender identity. The underlying belief behind this practice is that gender is a social construct, not a biological fact. But how should a Christian respond when someone asks to be identified in a way that contradicts both biology and the Bible? Dr....

Several New Testament passages describe Jesus as sitting or standing at God’s right hand. One of the most frequently referenced is Acts 7:55, where Stephen looks into heaven as he is being martyred and sees “the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Taken at face value, this and similar verses seem to indicate a distinction between Jesus and God. How can Jesus, the Son of God...

Exodus 22:25 says, “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest” (NKJV). Several other Bible passages reiterate the same theme: God prohibited His people from charging interest on their money, at least when loaned to a fellow Israelite. Considering this, is it a sin for modern Christians to put their mo...

The Old Testament includes various commands that most Bible teachers would say are not applicable to Christians. For example, Leviticus 19:19 says, “Do not plant your field with two different kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of thread.” Most Christians would say these commands do not apply to New Testament believers. However, the same chapter of Leviticus also say...

One criticism occasionally leveled at the United Pentecostal Church International and other church organizations is that, in the view of some, there is no precedent for these entities in the New Testament. These critics argue that religious organizations are just manmade groups with no spiritual authority, and their leaders are little more than religious bureaucrats appointed by men. Dr. David K....

According to the National Funeral Directors Association , approximately 58 percent of people in the U.S. are now cremated at death. That number has risen dramatically in recent years, and is expected to keep climbing. Experts note that religion is a major influence in the decision of how to dispose of the body at death. For example, until 1963, the Roman Catholic Church prohibited cremation for me...

A leaked initial draft of a majority opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case indicates that the Supreme Court of the United States will strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion the law of the land in the United States. Pro-life Christians are rejoicing at the apparent end of what they consider an unconstitutional ruling. Why does the issue of a...

The moon landing was faked. The earth is flat. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were an inside job. The COVID-19 pandemic is a hoax. A secret organization called the Illuminati runs the world from behind the scenes. All of these ideas have gained varying degrees of traction in recent years, mostly thanks to the internet. How should Christians respond to these and other conspiracy theories?...

John 3:16 refers to Jesus as God's "only begotten Son." However, some theologians refer to Jesus as the “Eternal Son." There is a doctrine known as “eternal Sonship” which teaches that Jesus has eternally existed as the Son of God. According to this doctrine, Christ is and always has been the Son of God. Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Scriptures say about the sonship of...

If the Holy Spirit is promised to everyone, as the apostle Peter said in Acts 2:39, then why do some people seem to struggle to receive this gift? Dr. David K. Bernard discusses why some spiritual seekers receive the Holy Spirit almost immediately, while others seemingly struggle for months or years without experiencing this biblical promise. He offers practical advice and encouragement for those...

The New Testament includes many accounts of Jesus and the apostles confronting and casting out demons. Are demonic spirits still active in the world today? Can a Christian be possessed by a demon? Dr. David K. Bernard draws on Scripture and his experiences traveling and preaching around the globe to answer these important questions. He shows that, while Satanic forces certainly are at work in the...

Why is sex between consenting adults any of God's business? That certainly seems to be the prevailing attitude of Western society. This "anything goes" sexual ethic directly contradicts the Scriptures, which clearly teach that God has established boundaries around human sexual expression. But why does God think those boundaries are necessary? Dr. David K. Bernard explains how both s...

Many Apostolic students are currently trying to decide what educational path they will follow. Some may feel a call to ministry, but aren’t quite sure what that ministry is. They also may have academic gifts and interests they would like to pursue, but don't know how to balance education and ministry. Dr. David K. Bernard answers this frequently-asked question by drawing on his own experience...

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...

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 th...

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 mor...

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 tel...

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. D...

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...