Understand the Bible? Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D.

The precursor to The Resurrection. Jesus fulfilled all the promises and prophecies concerning Himself in the flesh, the sacrifices of the law, satisfaction for sin, perfect obedience and the power of sin and death. All these things put the exclamation marks on His words, "It is finished."   VF-1865 John 19:30 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from...

Examining the intrinsic evidence from both pre- and post-ascension records provides the bedrock of proof beyond a shadow of doubt that the Biblical record was written by men telling the truth about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This truth that Christ lives gives us an incredible hope! Hope that death no longer has dominion over us and we will be with the Lord forever! VF-2127 Watch, Listen and...

When doing a study on the Resurrection and trying to get information, there are a few things we must do as historians. First, use a method that has been tried and proven, that we know has the ability to unearth. Next, detach from bias. Finally, account for what we know as certain history. Many critics apply different criteria for looking at Scripture than they would for looking at any other field...

It is a mistake to assume the disciples were the only witness of the risen Christ. Such an assumption leaves a big gap in explaining the vast spread of Christianity in such a short period of time. A careful reading of the book of Acts shows us that there were many more witnesses whose preaching was consistently focused on one thing: the risen Christ and the power of His Resurrection. Watch, Listen...

How did the Apostle Paul go from being an enemy of Christians to defender of the faith? There would be no benefit for an enemy of the church to lie about his conversion to the faith, to preach openly and establish churches or to give them correction.   After the Resurrection Jesus appeared to Paul and chose him to herald the gospel. Paul's deep knowledge of the word lays out the basis for our hope...

In a day when a majority of professing Christians have been lulled into an ignorance of the content of God's Word and fail to recognize the resurrection of Christ as a reality and fact of history, it is necessary to examine the evidence and reach a verdict: either the Resurrection is a reality and Christ is risen, or our faith is in vain. Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Past...

Many have sought to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ and were overwhelmed after examining the evidence within the biblical records. Whether you're a believer or a curious skeptic, examining the empty tomb is a place to start. Matthew 28 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a mes...

At the core of Christianity is the resurrected Christ. This message focuses on the resurrection of Christ as told in the Gospel of Mark and it's curiously short ending. Women in that day were not considered adequate witnesses and yet Mary Magdalene and other women were the first eyewitnesses to the empty tomb.   Their report does not suggest a conspiracy to lie but an honest telling of what they s...

The beginning of a series for the sake of two people who are dear friends but far from the knowledge of God.   Bad experiences with the church at large or a "brand" of Christianity cause many to be turned off on the church.   There is corruption in all of humanity, so we should not ignore God because of that.   A look at the church history surrounding Easter and at the traditions of men becoming d...

If the Resurrection of Christ really happened, it is the most important event in history. Those who are skeptical and think there are too many discrepancies in the accounts should take a closer look. There are common denominators to all of the accounts and many witnesses in the gospel records. Each writer's focus is different, so the differences in the details are not as inconsistent as they first...

Exposure to the facts of the Resurrection should bring about a change in us.   When we live our life in the knowledge of faith in the fact that we have eternal life with Christ, it changes us. Our hearts and our minds will be transformed, to God's ultimate glory. VF-2388 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-33...

The evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be ignored and if you look at it honestly it is life-changing. The earliest teachings of the Resurrection were from eyewitnesses of a factual event, not emotive feelings. Some of the most convincing evidence comes from the Apostle Paul, who had no reason to tell this story if it was not true. The disciples were changed by the Resurrection, a...

In seeking the truth that is revealed in Jesus Christ, God creates famine to give us opportunities of faith and opportunities of failure. Just like Abram, we often choose to leave the place that God has called us to because we focus on the seen circumstance of famine rather than trusting God and relying upon His word of promise. Instead of chastising us for getting off track, God uses our mistakes...

Following the path of faith is not easy.   The life from faith to faith must be in God's direction.   Sometimes God will test us to see if we will lean on him. VF-1829   Genesis 13:14 Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a l...

After 21 years of ministry, Pastor Scott reflects on her calling and the lessons that have left an imprint on her soul.   One of which is the blessing of being called by God and being struck by a famine: the famine of feeling completely inadequate to answer God's call, and the challenges that He gives for ever-increasing faith.   These are God's way of testing us to see if we will rely on Him to g...

The book of Isaiah has ample archaeological evidence to support its authenticity and history corroborates many of its prophecies. Isaiah was a different type of prophet. God told him to prophesy against Judah and other nations for their sins, but He also told him they would not listen. Isaiah's prophecies were fulfilled in his lifetime, after his death and some are still yet to come. Most importan...

God sent Jonah to a foreign kingdom with this message, "Turn back to God now! Judgment is coming."   Miraculously, they listened and did just that.   This is the same message that needs to be preached to our entire government and all of America.   If the president's spiritual advisors and those with a platform start saying, "Repent! Believe in Jesus Christ and repent of your sins," we might have a...

The prophet Amos speaks of God's judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel.   God spelled out their sins in great detail and warned them that their punishment was coming quickly.   History shows us that God kept His word.   While there is very little hope in the book of Amos, there is a promise that in a future time, the scattered people of Israel will be brought back and Christ will dwell i...

God told the prophet Hosea to marry a whore to symbolize the spiritual infidelity of Israel. In their prosperity, the people had failed to give God thanks and had worshiped idols.   God still loved them, but He said that if they would not repent, they would not be His people and would not obtain mercy.   But in a future time, they will be His people once more and obtain mercy, and Christ will be t...

The prophecy of Joel describes a famine and devastation sent by God to wake the people up and bring them to repentance.   It affected every aspect of life, from the livestock to the crops that made the offerings and worship practices possible.   While Joel's prophecy speaks to the people in his day, it also speaks to us in the present who are living in a very evil time.   It also speaks of the fut...

The book of Obadiah is a small book with only 21 verses, but it has a much larger message.   Through the prophet, God tells what will be done to the Edomites, who scoffed at His people and did not value the things of God.   This book applies to the time it was written and to a future time when those who refuse to repent and turn to God will be forever cut off from His presence.   VF-2540 Obadiah W...

God revealed Himself in the Old Testament through prophecy and miracles.   He put His power, His presence, and His will on display to show people He was God, so they might turn to Him.   He used the prophet Elisha to make sure that His will would be carried out by Hazael and Jehu, to wipe out evil people.   No two servants of God are the same, except in their faith; Elijah and Elisha performed sim...

The miracles that Elisha performed often centered on water, oil, food, or life and death.   They reflected what was lacking in the people, and they were designed to turn the people back to Him.   These miracles showed the people what God could do if they were obedient to Him.   God washes us, provides for us, gives us His Spirit and the Bread of Life, and gives us resurrected life.   2 Kings VF-25...

The life and ministry of Elisha can shed light on our walk as believers if we make applications to ourselves.   The prophet Elisha shows us that God doesn't ask us to be perfect, but He does expect us to respond willingly to His call.   The only question is, will we stay by the stuff, keep the faith, and overcome like Elisha when our faith is tried?   Or will we fall away and defect, like so many...

Elijah was a messenger of God and the story of his own life of faith is a message for us today. During the evil rule of King Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah had great victories like defeating the priests of Baal and despite that victory he ran away in fear wanting to die soon after.   Elijah was not perfect, but his devotion to God did not waver and when he faltered, God restored him and continued to use...