Baptist on the Bible

Old Testament-Christ-New Testament: Worship Music (pt. 1) - In this episode, Dr. Andrew Marquez and Dr. Ben Pate discuss the hymnal. Should hymns make a comeback? Most evangelical churches have abandoned the hymnal and adopted higher tech modalities. Despite this reality, the hymnal offered some real advantages. Are there ways of recapturing these advantages for modern worship?  Dr. Andrew Ma...

Will you serve God or man? Are you ready to make the choice? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez discusses the importance of Defying Despotism. In Daniel 6:6-10, we look behind the scenes to see the actions of Daniel's enemies. A crafty conspiracy comes together as Daniel's opponents propose a new law to Darius. The emperor is deceived by pride to restrict all prayer for 30 days. During this period ci...

Do you look for God's Presence in the storm? Do you recognize God's purpose in judgment and redemption? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez preaches from Daniel 7:1-14. Daniel receives an intense vision that discloses difficult times in the future. Despite this reality, the dream also reveals God's sovereignty and ultimate victory. Believers are encouraged to persevere in hard times by remembering God...

Are you ready to be on the enemy's radar? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez discusses the importance of Defying Despotism. In Daniel 6:1-5, we see the promotion of Daniel to high office as a result of his faithfulness. The shining assignment brings a hollow hostility as Daniel's opponents look for a flaw or failure to exploit in order to halt higher promotion for the prophet. Finding no fault in Dan...

Have you met the Prince of Peace? Has He made you a minister of peace? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez reflects on the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem. The Prince Provides the Peace. In Micah 5:4b-5, we are told of an enduring peace that is sourced in Christ and extended to us. As Jesus descended upon Bethlehem, He promised peace to all that would come to Him. Christ ends our enmity wi...

Do you walk in Joy? Proclaim it from the mountaintops. Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez teaches from the Christmas Carol, Go Tell It on the Mountain. This hymn begins with an Abrupt Announcement to humble shepherds. Shepherds hold a special vocation in God's kingdom. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd. These shepherds were ready for the message as they performed their duty of caring for their flock...

Are you devoted to Christ? Do you delight in Him? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez reflects on the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem. Devotion Promotes Delight. God promises to care for His sheep (Micah 5:4a). His care causes our delight. Still, not all Christians delight in the Lord equally. The depth of our devotion increases our delight in our Savior. We need to incorporate devotional...

Old Testament-Christ-New Testament: All About Advent - In this episode, Dr. Andrew Marquez and Dr. Ben Pate discuss Advent. Many evangelical churches have added Advent celebrations to their worship services. What is Advent and how should we celebrate it? The season of Advent begins the church year as Christians look to the birth of Christ. Perhaps we can incorporate more Advent practices into our...

Do you persevere in Patience? Will you wait on God’s promises? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez reflects on the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem. Patience prepares us for promises. The prophet Micah predicted great things for Bethlehem 700 years before they would take place. The wondrous scene depicted in the second verse of the carol reflects the fulfillment of prophecy that was patient...

Old Testament-Christ-New Testament: Should Christians Celebrate Hanukkah? - In this episode, Dr. Andrew Marquez and Dr. Ben Pate explore the Feast of Dedication. Hanukkah remembers the restoration of the temple after the desolation that took place under Antiochus IV. Jesus celebrated this feast and Daniel prophesied the events? Should Christians celebrate the holiday today?   Dr. Andrew Marqu...

Do you seek honor from others or, do you walk in humility? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez reflects on the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem was known for its bread. In fact, its name translates to "Bread Town." How fitting that the Messiah, the Bread of Life, would come from Bethlehem. This town of both humble means and stature served as the birthplace of the King of Kings. G...

Are you ready for the Prince of Peace? Look to Bethlehem. Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez explores the Christmas Carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem. This hymn calls us to humility, patience, and devotion as we await our Prince of Peace. Those who wait on the Lord will be blessed. The carol reminds us to look to Christ for honor, fulfilled promises, delight, and peace. Let us follow the example of B...

Do you remember your salvation? Do you live daily in light of Christ’s victory? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez reflects on the Christmas story. Christ's first coming brought salvation from sin. His second coming promises triumph over the final enemy, death. As we approach Christmas let us remember our salvation and the present victory we have over sin. Let us extend the offer of salvation to ever...

Are you walking in Joy? Do you rejoice knowing that you are part of Christ’s Kingdom? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez considers the Christmas story. The first and second comings of Christ are a cause for joy for all believers. Because Christ came, we can now be included in His family. When Christ returns we will rejoice to be part of His visible kingdom. Consider these things and share the joy of...

Do you have joy this Christmas season? Has Emmanuel come into your heart? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez explores the Christmas Carol, O Come O Come Emmanuel. This hymn is filled with theological content. In the first verse, we cry out with Israel for Christ to come and give His presence. The second verse relates a cry for light in the midst of darkness. The Father sends the Son to bring life and...

Are you ready for the season? How can we keep Christ in Christmas? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Matthew 1 and Luke 2. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season can distract from focusing on our Savior. Reflecting on Scripture helps us keep Christ at the center of the season. Matthew tells us that Christ's birth fulfills the prophecy of communion with God. God is with us. Luke retel...

Old Testament-Christ-New Testament: Interpreting Old Testament Laws - In this episode, Dr. Andrew Marquez and Dr. Ben Pate consider four ways of interpreting Old Testament Law. Are the OT laws still for us to follow? Should they be discarded with the Old Covenant? Do they reflect enduring principles? Do they give us special insight and wisdom for life today?

Do you denounce sin? Will you warn the wicked? Will you choose repentance over despair? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 5:22-31. In these verses, Daniel reveals the writing on the wall to Belshazzar. Daniel exposes the specific sins of the king and declares God's judgment against him. Belshazzar rewards Daniel and retires for the evening. The unrepentant king is killed that very ni...

Is Judgement at Hand? Have you recognized the Most High God? What changes when you recognize the glory of God? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 4:28-37. In these verses, Nebuchadnezzar's dream is realized. After a season to repent expires, the king becomes self-enraptured and falls into the sin of pride. God pronounces a sentence upon the King and takes Nebuchadnezzar's sanity for 7...

Are you a pretender or a proclaimer? Do you live on borrowed faith, or are you a giver of the Gospel? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 5:13-22. These verses show the confrontation of Daniel and Belshazzar. The king recognizes Daniel and restates the problem of the writing on the wall. He proposes rewards if Daniel will interpret the meaning. Daniel rejects Belshazzar's offer but agr...

What moves you to share the Gospel? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 4:1-27. In these verses, King Nebuchadnezzar testifies to the Most High God, encouraging all people everywhere to acknowledge Him. We find from this chapter that a real encounter with God motivates our worship and our desire to bring others into relationship with our Lord. How do you think through difficult situati...

The world needs a witness! Are you ready to be called upon? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 5:10-12. In this passage, the queen enters the scene. She brings a calming intervention to a chaotic moment. While Belshazzar does not know what to do, the queen reminds him of Daniel--the man of God. Daniel can give the interpretation. Perhaps there is hope for this wayward king. Are we fai...

Are you a peace maker? Can you keep your spiritual cool when the world is on fire? Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 5:5-9. These verses disclose God's response to Belshazzar's blasphemous banquet. In the midst of sacrilege, God enters the room to write the doom of Babylon on the wall. Panic ensues when the bodement appears--God's harbinger hand spelling unknown judgment upon Belshaz...

Old Testament-Christ-New Testament: Baptism for the Dead? A Look at 1 Corinthians 15:29 - In this episode, Dr. Andrew Marquez and Dr. Ben Pate consider a difficult passage of Scripture. The discussion debriefs a chapel presentation of Gateway Seminar (https://youtu.be/2iRk28WXh5I).

Will you persevere in persecution? Have you experienced God’s salvation? When will the righteous be rewarded? In this sermon, Pastor/Professor Andrew Marquez looks at Daniel 3:19-30. The passage tells of the moment when Nebuchadnezzar cast Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace. When persecution comes to you or those you love, will you remain faithful? God promises to save the fait...