The Berean Post Podcast

Throughout these writings, the theme that “He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet” is central to how the New Testament talks about Jesus’s authority. It starts in Psalm 110:1 and is echoed by Paul, Peter, and John. This theme shows that Jesus is currently ruling as King at God’s right hand, and He will continue to reign until every enemy is defeated. It assures believers that in...

Some people think that a "spiritual body" means a non-physical or immaterial body. However, Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 and the broader biblical story suggest something different. The Bible focuses on God’s desire to redeem and renew the physical world, beginning with His creation of the heavens and the earth in Genesis. God intended for humanity to live with Him in a perfect creation. Eve...

This chapter isn’t just important for understanding our faith; it’s foundational to the very essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. And we’re not alone in this belief. Many theologians and scholars throughout history have recognized the significance of this passage. For instance, renowned theologian N.T. Wright has described 1 Corinthians 15 as a "central and climactic moment" in Pau...

Welcome to The Berean Post. I want to start by saying that I’m not here to change your mind or to try and be your teacher. What I’m doing is simply going through the text for myself, trying to understand it in its historical context, and exploring how the first readers might have understood what they were reading. I’m not coming from any denominational perspective—this is my personal journey throu...

Instructions on Tongues In modern Christianity, speaking in tongues is a topic that sparks much debate. Pentecostal and Charismatic churches view it as a powerful expression of the Holy Spirit. Studies show that about one-third of American Pentecostals speak in tongues regularly, and nearly half of their services include this practice (Pew Research Center, Barna Group). In Canada, the largest Pent...

Tongues have been, and still are in some places, a debated topic. Some churches strongly believe that speaking in tongues is a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and an important part of a believer's spiritual life. They often include it in their worship services. On the other hand, some denominations are more skeptical. They question whether tongues are still relevant today or even if they are bi...

Welcome to today’s episode of The Berean Post where we’re diving into a topic that has sparked much debate and, in some cases, even division among believers—speaking in tongues. Before we start, I want to remind everyone that I’m not here to change anyone’s mind. I encourage you to listen to your spiritual leaders and stay grounded in your faith community. I’m not representing any denomination or...

In today's devotional, we'll examine a passage from 1 Corinthians that deals with the gifts of the Spirit, like speaking in tongues and prophecy. We'll look at the text, determine its meaning, and consider its application for today. Now, when we look at today's text, we see two major views in Christian theology. One group believes these gifts ceased in the first century, while the other believes t...

We Will explore Paul's profound definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13, rooted in Christ's teachings. Discover how selfless, sacrificial love challenges natural inclinations and societal norms, embodying virtues like patience, kindness, and humility. Learn how this biblical perspective of love transforms relationships and prioritizes the well-being of others, aligning with Jesus's ultimate example...

Our first experience in a setting where people were speaking in tongues was probably between the ages of 15 and 16. This was also our initial encounter with the idea of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestation of these gifts. The movement we were part of taught about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which originally referred to sanctification in the old holiness tradition but evolved in...

Once again, we will be looking at the gifts of the Spirit. But rather than get into what each one of these gifts is and how they work, I want to address the question that many people have about the gifts of the Spirit in general. As we journey through the epistle of First Corinthians, we will encounter more about how these gifts function and their purpose, according to Paul, especially in chapter...

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses both the manifestations and gifts of the Spirit. While they are closely related, there is a nuanced difference between them. The questions I would like to consider today are as follows: What is the primary difference between the gifts of the Spirit and the manifestations of the Spirit, as discussed in this passage? How does Paul describe the purpose of the gifts...

As you begin reading this text, verses 12 to 19 make it clear that Paul has one thing on his mind, which has resonated throughout his letter. Paul knows the strife and divisions among the Corinthian brethren from the start. By highlighting the diversities of the Spirit’s manifestations, he establishes a simple point: there is one body, the body of Christ, and one Spirit. While I'm eager to discuss...

We now delve into a topic that has sparked extensive discussion within the church, particularly over the past century: Spiritual Gifts. In our previous discussion, we noted that Paul begins this topic by informing the initial readers of his epistle that he intends to prevent ignorance regarding spiritual gifts. In the following passage, Paul elaborates on the nature and purpose of these gifts. The...

Our passage here sets the stage for the discussions to follow in chapters 12 to 14, where Paul will provide a more detailed exploration of the variety, purpose, and proper use of spiritual gifts, all aimed at building up the body of Christ in love and harmony.

When Paul says, "For I received from the Lord," he implies that what he's about to convey is not merely his opinion but a revelation he received directly from Jesus Christ. However, the New Testament doesn't specify when or how Paul received this instruction. Though the Bible recounts Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, it doesn't explicitly mention Jesus instructing Paul regardin...

In our previous episode, Paul shifted focus from personal freedoms and moral matters to address practices within the Corinthian assembly, particularly concerning women and head coverings during church gatherings, especially while praying or prophesying. He then criticizes the Corinthians' conduct during the Lord's Supper and stresses his dissatisfaction. He viewed the church as a gathering of beli...

We would have agreed with many who believe a woman’s natural hair is her covering in times past. But after considering the text once again, can we argue this is Paul's intended meaning? And would it also mean that the man should be bald to be consistent with the text? Here are some reasons we no longer adhere to such a view.

We would have agreed with many who believe a woman’s natural hair is her covering in times past. But after considering the text once again, can we argue this is Paul's intended meaning? And would it also mean that the man should be bald to be consistent with the text? Here are some reasons we no longer adhere to such a view.

Paul’s assertions in 1 Corinthians 11:2-3, where he affirms that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man," present big challenges for modern-day Christians due to evolving societal norms and interpretations of gender equality. In today's context, male headship over women can and often does conflict with contemporary understandings of gender equality and mutual respect within mar...

Today, the principle remains consistent: our decisions should always stem from love. The overarching message of the New Testament revolves around love, a theme intricately woven throughout the Epistle to the Corinthians, reaching its pinnacle in chapter 13. In verses 29 and 30, Paul poses questions that resonate with us today. We might rephrase them thus: Why should someone else's conscience judge...

So here we are with another beautiful passage that will cause the gears of our mental faculties to engage. Immediately, we are confronted with a text that, taken in isolation or grouped with other selected texts, can and does lead to a doctrine we call antinomianism. A modern incarnation of this view in the vernacular says the god of the Old Testament was mad and uptight, but Jesus is happy, lovin...

Consider a scenario where you encounter food offered to idols, a practice mentioned in the Bible. From a biblical standpoint, idols are objects made of stone, wood, or metal, and there is only one true God. In this context, consuming such meat may be seen as a matter of personal conscience. It doesn't involve breaking any laws; it's simply a matter of eating cooked meat. According to Paul's teachi...

Now, let's consider this passage with an open mind, free from denominational bias. Depending on one's theological leaning, the interpretation can differ significantly. For instance, Calvinism and Wesleyanism, two contrasting theological orientations, offer varying perspectives on this passage. Calvinism emphasizes God's sovereignty in matters of salvation and sanctification, highlighting the assur...

In our previous devotional, we delved into how Paul used Old Testament events like idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, and grumbling to emphasize the significance of drawing lessons from history—a message of faithfulness and dependence on God's grace. Now, let's dive into the intriguing concept in this passage, which refers to the end of an era. Upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Beli...