Following Jesus

There are so many religions and belief systems out there. So, how can we know which one is correct? And why are Christians so certain that their faith is the only true one, and that all others are false? In this episode, I’ll give six reasons why I believe Christianity is true and why I’m a Christian. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor who wants to help others follow Jesus. Follow me...

What is the rapture? When will it happen? And what should Christians do to be prepared? In this episode, we’ll be talking about the rapture, and what everybody needs to know. I’m going to talk about the biggest rapture myths, including whether or not the rapture is even in the Bible. Well, in today’s episode, I’m going to show you why I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re going to l...

Did Jesus actually rise from the dead? Is there any evidence outside the Bible for His resurrection? Could it be that the central event of Christianity is nothing more than a hoax? Well, in today’s episode, I’m going to show you why I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We’re going to look at the greatest evidence for the resurrection, as well as the biggest arguments against it. And I’ll...

Did you know that Easter was originally the celebration of Ishtar, the goddess of fertility and sex? And that the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs are actually derived from pagan traditions? At least, that’s what a lot of people say. But today, I’m going to show you why Easter is not a pagan holiday, and where Easter traditions actually come from. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and I’m a youth pastor who wa...

In this episode, I’m going to be answering questions from my youth group. These questions range from relationships to salvation, to the end times, to how to be a better friend, and more. So, we’re going to consider these questions from a biblical view and see what the Bible says. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Follow me on Instagram, Ti...

In this episode, we’re going to look at 7 unbiblical things that Catholics believe. We’ll compare the official Catholic Church teachings to the Scriptures and see how they don’t match up. Now, I’m not claiming that Catholics can’t be Christians, or that they don’t love Jesus, or that they’re all going to hell. But I do want to call attention to some of the false doctrines that are negatively affec...

In this episode, I'm going to show you how to defeat every pro-choice argument. I'll explain why abortion is wrong and why it should be considered murder. So, if you are undecided about your stance on abortion, or if you are already pro-life and want to better defend your case, this episode is for you! Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Je...

One of the essential teachings of Christianity is that the Bible is inerrant, having no contradictions. But is that actually true? Because there are a lot of verses that seem to disagree with each other, and a lot of Christians have trouble explaining these differences. And many skeptics of Christianity will teach that the Bible has hundreds and even thousands of contradictions and errors. So, in...

What exactly is faith? Well, many people define faith as “belief without evidence”. Because Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” But I’m going to show you why faith is not belief without evidence, and I’ll explain what this verse is actually saying. So in this episode, we’ll look at what faith is, and what it’s not. Hey! I’m David Cipria...

What do Seventh-day Adventists believe? And are they a cult group? In this episode, we’re going to break down some of the major teachings of the Adventist Church. I’ll share my thoughts on whether they’re Christians with questionable theology or if they fall into the category of a non-Christian cult. And by the end, I’ll answer questions like, “Are Seventh-day Adventists saved?” and “Will we see t...

Five years ago this week, I became a youth pastor. And looking back, there are so many things I wish I had known at the beginning that would have made my youth ministry more effective, and my job way more manageable. So in this episode, I’m going to give you 15 lessons that I think every youth pastor needs to know. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you foll...

Is baptism necessary for salvation? Do you have to get baptized to be saved?  This is one of the most debated questions within the church. And in this episode, we’ll answer it from a biblical perspective. I’ll show you my arguments for what I believe, and then respond to all the major arguments from the other side. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you foll...

In this episode, we’re going to look at 7 of the most popular Calvinist proof texts, from a non-Calvinist perspective.  From John 6, Romans 9, and Ephesians 1, we’ll see verses that are often used to support Calvinism and the five points of TULIP. But I’m going to show you how these verses are actually being taken out of context, and how they don’t mean what Calvinists think they mean. Hey! I’m Da...

The Bible can feel like a confusing book, and we often have trouble understanding it. And if you ever struggle to get anything out of your Bible study, then you are not alone. That’s why in this episode, I’m going to share with you 6 Bible study tips that I wish I knew sooner. These practical steps will help you understand the Bible better, and help you get closer to God. Hey! I’m David Cipriano,...

Was Jesus God? Or was He just a good man, or a prophet? In this episode, I’m going to show you clear biblical evidence that Jesus is God. And I’m going to show you how to explain and defend the deity of Jesus. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads: @itsdavidcipriano Follow me on X: @itsdavidcip 0:00...

Was Jesus a real person, or just a made up character? Was He truly who the Bible claims He was, or is He simply a myth? In this episode, we’ll look at three pieces of evidence that prove Jesus was in fact real. I’ll also cover the biggest arguments against His existence, and show you why they’re wrong. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Fol...

Is Christmas a pagan holiday? Where did Christmas trees actually originate? And was Jesus really born on December 25? In this episode we’re going to debunk 6 of the biggest myths that people believe about Christmas, and find out the truths behind them. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads: @itsdavid...

So many churches today are filled false teachers, heretics, and wolves in sheep’s clothing. So today, we’ll be considering what it really means to be a false teacher, and how to be a discerning Christian. And if you go to a church where the pastor is guilty of one of these bad qualities, it might be time to start looking for a new church. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bi...

The Bible can be a confusing book. And with so many verses that are interpreted in so many different ways, it’s easy to make mistakes and believe false doctrines. So in this video, we’re going to look at 8 of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible, and learn what they actually mean, in their proper context.  Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow...

What is the trinity? And how do you explain it? And is this even a biblical concept, that you can defend using the Bible alone? In this episode, I’m going to show you what the Trinity is, what it isn’t, and whether or not it’s true. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads: @itsdavidcipriano Follow me o...

In this episode, I’m going to show you why Mormonism is a cult, and why Mormons aren’t Christians. We’ll be looking at how this religion was started, and how Latter-day Saint theology is inconsistent with Biblical Christianity. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach you the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads: @itsdavidcipriano Follow me on X:...

In this episode of the Following Jesus Podcast, I will be defending the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. I’m going to share some of the biggest objections people have to this belief, and my responses to them, as a protestant. And I’ll be showing you how the Bible does in fact teach Sola Scriptura, and how the Scriptures are our only infallible rule of faith. Check out the first episode of this series i...

In this episode of the Following Jesus Podcast, I’m going to explain why I believe in Sola Scriptura. We’re going to talk about what Sola Scriptura means, and what it does not mean. And I’m going to show you how the Bible does teach this belief. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok! @itsdavidcipriano 0:00 I...

Can women be pastors? Well according to Paul, women shouldn’t teach or exercise authority over men. But was that just a cultural thing? And was it just Paul’s own preference, not God’s command? That’s what we’ll be covering in today’s episode of the Following Jesus Podcast. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Connect with me on Instagram and Tik...

Can you lose your salvation as a Christian? And is “once saved always saved” a biblical doctrine? In this episode we’ll be discussing the idea of eternal security, and whether or not it’s possible to lose your salvation. Hey! I’m David Cipriano, and my goal is to teach the Bible and to help you follow Jesus. Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok! @itsdavidcipriano 0:00 Intro 1:33 #1 - Salvation...