Reasoning Through the Bible

Stephen reminds the Jewish leaders that the temple building that they hold so dear is merely a copy of the real one in heaven, and that God does not dwell in a building nor in the temple rituals. Stephen directly accuses them of being just as disobedient as their forefathers. The Jewish leaders get so angry that they refuse to listen any longer and stone Stephen to death.   What does it mean to be...

Stephen is arrested and charged with blasphemy. At his trial, he does not defend himself but rather gives a history of the Jewish people. Stephen shows the Jewish leaders that they have forgotten their own history and are repeating the mistakes and sins of their forefathers. Stephen reminds the Jewish leaders that:   God chose Abraham and the 12 Tribes The Jewish forefathers had large changes in h...

The apostles ask for help in serving so that they can spend time in prayer and telling others about the word of God. These are the first deacons, or servants, in the early church. In this session we learn why they chose these servants and why a division of work is often needed in the church.   We also learn that one of those chosen, Stephen, does sign miracles, disputes with the Jews, and is then...

The apostles are arrested for a second time for telling people about Jesus. The apostles are again ordered by the Sanhedrin to not preach Jesus, and they say they  must obey God rather than men.  What would you do if it were illegal to tell others about Christ?   In this session we find that there is sometimes a price to be paid for being a follower of Jesus, but the enemies of the cross cannot sh...

This section of scripture shows the church all working together in one mind and spirit, meeting everyone’s needs. This does not last because the first sin crashes in on the church and breaks the perfect unity.  The apostles speak boldly, and the church responds by giving cheerfully and meeting everyone’s needs. “Abundant grace was upon them all.”  We then meet Ananias and Saphira who lie to the ch...

The apostles were commanded by the civil and religious leaders to not preach about the resurrection. Rather than compromise the message, the apostles boldly reply that they cannot compromise the message about what they have seen and heard. This session discusses whether a Christian should ever disobey a civil law and what principles we can use to determine whether to disobey the law.  When a Bibli...

Peter and John are arrested even though they were doing what God wanted them to do. Even though they are arrested for the gospel message, they do not compromise nor do they defend themselves.  This session discusses the threat to the gospel message from religious people compared to threats from outside the church. The Christian message goes against the ways of the world and will always be opposed...

Acts chapter 3 has Peter and John healing a lame man in the temple and Peter giving a great sermon. The lame man is a picture of us as lost sinners, born helpless and hopeless until someone with the message of Jesus comes and lifts us up and gives us new life. The lame man immediately follows the apostles into worship, just as new Christians always do the same. Peter’s sermon is another masterpiec...

This session includes part 2 of Acts 2:38, then goes on to explain what happens when we receive the Holy Spirit. Christians are promised that they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Saved people are filled with the Holy Spirit and will see changes in their lives. This passage also discusses several doctrines related to salvation, such as how the Bible describes a lost person, who can receiv...

Peter’s first sermon mentions the resurrection of Christ. In this session we examine Peter’s message about our hope in the resurrection. Peter quotes King David and shows how David spoke of bodily resurrection as a blessed hope. We can live today in hope because Jesus rose from the dead.  Baptism and forgiveness of sins are also mentioned in Acts 2:38, which has been a much-discussed verse in many...

Once the apostles receive the Holy Spirit, they are emboldened and immediately their lives are changed forever. Peter and the apostles go from being weak and crying to being fearless and untiring witnesses. We discuss the first Christian sermon ever given. The day of Pentecost is the ushering in of the church age and it comes suddenly with a bang.    What power do we need in the church today? What...

This session looks at the ascension of Jesus in relation to the other Biblical events that involve God’s glory and the Mount of Olives. This section of Acts also begins to give some of the historical details that are peppered throughout Luke’s account that give historical texture to the story of the apostles.   Who spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost?  What was the miracle of the tongues?  Wh...

After Jesus rises from the dead, He commands the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for power to come upon them. Sometimes it is hard to wait when we do not have all the information, yet Jesus says to wait.  Jesus presented Himself alive “by many convincing proofs” thus demonstrating that faith in Him is reasonable.    What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle? What is faith built upon? ...

This session introduces us to the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which is the one book that transitions and connects between the gospels and the rest of the New Testament. We discuss the traditional outline of the book as well as some literary devices that make this a great book.  Acts is historically significant in that it has a tremendous number of names, places, and geographic details that a...

In the upper room the night before He died, Jesus took the cup and said “This is the new covenant in my blood.” But what is this new covenant? How is it different than the old covenant? This session explores what is taught in Hebrews 8 & 10 and Jeremiah 31 about this new covenant. Steve and Glenn discuss the great benefits of the new covenant to all nations, both Jew and Gentile, and the bless...

We’ve all been told that Jesus rose from the dead, but what are the implications for us? If Jesus rose from the dead, everything is changed. This session explores key passages such as Romans 6, 1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3, 2 Timothy 2, and even Job.   What does the resurrection prove?  What is the connection between our daily lives and Jesus’ resurrection? What does the Bible teach about our f...

What is the significance of Jesus rising from the dead? How did people react on resurrection morning? What is the most important piece of evidence about the resurrection? What did people do when they saw the resurrected Jesus? What is the great commission and what responsibilities do each of us have? What comfort did Jesus leave with us?  Support the show Thank you for listening!!  Please give us...

After Jesus dies on the cross, several events happen, including earthquakes, people rising from the dead, and the veil in the temple was torn. What is the significance of these events? Plus, we meet some women who play a key role in the life of the Lord. These women were with Him faithfully when the male disciples ran in fear. Besides their loving faithfulness, they play a key role in the evidence...

Matthew simply says “When they had crucified Him. . .” Why would Matthew merely mention the crucifixion in passing? This was the event where the perfect and holy Jesus took the ugliness of sin upon Himself. This session explores the horribleness of the death on a cross and explains why it is such an ugly event to look at. The physical pain is tremendous but so is the spiritual pain of The Holy One...

The Jewish leaders take Jesus to the Roman governor Pilate trying to get Jesus killed. Pilate asks Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Each of us must answer the question of whether Jesus is king. Pilate tries his best to avoid dealing with Jesus but is forced by the crowd to order Jesus to die.   The people around Jesus all seem to have a lot of power, but in reality Jesus is the one in contro...

Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny Him before morning, and today’s podcast describes Peter denying Jesus and the resulting anguish when Peter realizes he has disappointed his Lord.   Then Jesus is delivered to the Roman governor Pilate where Jesus does not defend Himself. All along the way, Jesus is in control and ensuring He will end up being crucified. No one is taking Jesus’ life; He is...

Judas does his dastardly deed and betrays Jesus. The Jewish leaders show their true colors with an arrest of Jesus and a sham trial at night. Jesus speaks to the high priest and gives a clear admission of His deity and messiahship. Jesus is interviewed by Caiaphas who condemns Jesus in an illegal trial. Jesus does not defend Himself, for He came to die.    If I am faced with denying Jesus or being...

Jesus has a final moment with His disciples, then goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, which is where the olive presses were. There He begins His agony and is pressed to the breaking point.  When both Jesus and olives are broken, good things result.  We should follow Jesus’ example and have a quiet familiar place to go when we are greatly troubled.   If the Shepherd is removed, what happens to the sh...

Jesus and His disciples celebrate the Passover meal which is a very private and tender moment, His last private time with His disciples. Jesus shows them love and gives them some last teachings.  This passage tells of a man who does a great service for Jesus. We never learn his name, but the Lord knows him and what he has done. Then all of the twelve disciples fall away and abandon Jesus. We also...

A woman gives her most precious possession to Jesus and pours perfume all over Him, a great and tender act of love. By contrast, one of Jesus’ closest friends deviously betrays Him. These acts show humans are capable of the greatest love and the worst betrayal.  Is it good to give costly things to the work of the Lord, or not? What should we give the Lord if we have love for Him? Who is responsibl...