Podcasts about epistles

~~~~~~~ No 23 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 2 Peter 1:1-4** Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, ...... Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. *1/ Like precious faith and how it is obtained - "Through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:" 2/ What his divine power has given us - "All things that pertain unto life and godliness" 3/ The means used - "Through the knowledge of him that hath called us." 4/ The all things - Including "exceeding great and precious promises:" 5/ The influence and effect of these promises.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon explores the great and precious promises found in 2 Peter 1, emphasizing that faith is a divine gift obtained through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It highlights God's divine power as the source for all things pertaining to spiritual life and godliness, accessible through a deepening knowledge of Him who called believers. The preacher explains that these promises provide grace, peace, and eternal inheritance, enabling Christians to partake in the divine nature and escape worldly corruption. By focusing on Christ rather than visions or human effort, believers are equipped to stand against false doctrine and live faithfully. The message encourages reliance on Scripture and the person of Jesus for assurance, strength, and daily conduct.

~~~~~~~ No 22 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 5:8-14** Be sober, be vigilant; ....... Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen. *1/ How to deal with the devil, the common adversary of God's people. (1 Peter 5:8-9) 2/ The God of all grace who has called will complete the work of grace. (1 Peter 5:10) 3/ All glory to the God of all grace. (1 Peter 5:11) 4/ A summary of Peter's letter - This is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. (1 Peter 5:12)* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon concludes the study of First Peter by examining chapter five, focusing on the believer's response to spiritual warfare and the nature of divine grace. It outlines four key themes: resisting the devil through vigilance, trusting God to establish and strengthen believers after suffering, giving all glory to God alone, and identifying the true grace that produces a holy and practical life. The message emphasizes that salvation is entirely by unmerited favour, which results in an inheritance of eternal glory rather than worldly comfort. This true grace serves as a distinguishing mark for Christians, setting them apart from the world through holiness and hope. Ultimately, the text calls believers to stand firm in this grace, knowing that God completes the work He has begun.

~~~~~~~ No 21 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 5: 1-7** The elders which are among you I exhort, ...... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. *1/ Exhortation specific to an elder / minister. 2/ Exhortation to the younger / the church that the elder is over. 3/ Exhortation to all - minister and church alike.* **Sermon Summary:** The sermon expounds on 1 Peter 5, focusing on the mutual responsibilities within the church body. It exhorts elders to shepherd their flock with willingness and humility rather than for personal gain or authority. The text urges younger members and all believers to submit to spiritual leadership and to one another, emphasizing that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Central to this message is the call to cast all anxieties upon God, trusting in His providential care and ultimate exaltation of those who endure trials with faith. The preacher highlights how personal failures and divine discipline serve to cultivate a deep, abiding humility before God.

By Jorge de Campos - Paul describes what ministers have to preach: sound doctrine!

~~~~~~~ No 20 in the series - The Epistles of Peter. ~~~~~~~ **Considering 1 Peter 4: 17-19** For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: ......... *1/ Seven descriptions of the people of God where Judgment must begin. 2/ How judgment is know in the house of God. 3/ A comparison.* **Sermon summary:** The sermon explores the theological concept that divine judgment initiates within the community of believers during the present age of grace. By examining 1 Peter 4:17-19 alongside Hebrews 12, it identifies God's corrective discipline and church accountability as evidence of His fatherly love rather than condemnation. The preacher contrasts this internal purification with the ultimate fate of the ungodly, emphasizing that Christ has already absorbed wrath for the redeemed. This perspective encourages believers to view trials and correction as marks of their status as children of God. The message concludes by urging faithful submission to God's sovereign ordering in daily life.

By Jorge de Campos - Insubordinates, both idle talkers and deceivers, rebuke them sharply. They profess to know God, but in good works they deny Him. But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.

Send us a messageAny religion outside of true Christianity falls into the category of a mystery religion, as ultimately, they all lead people to damnation. Mystery Babylon is a stridency of confusion, offering many false paths to salvation. Some of the Epistles were written to counter false teachings of the Gnostics (1 John 4:2), and the Nicolaitans (Rev. 2:15), that had already begun to creep into the early church. Jesus also warned of these apostates in Matthew 7:15-16: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” A wolf is merciless, devouring its prey with no hesitation. Being wrapped in sheep's clothing makes these false teachers all the more dangerous. Only by knowing the doctrines of the Bible can we seek to avoid deception in these last days, and remain steadfast in readiness – for Jesus comes quickly!(Carl Joseph: “What Is Mystery Babylon?”)Support the showVisit our website: https://agapelightministries.com/

6-21-26 |

St. John Chrysostom (c. 349 - c. 407)Translated by Gross Alexander (1852 - 1915)St. Chrysostom's Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians is continuous, according to chapter and verse, instead of being arranged in Homilies, with a moral or practical application at their close, as in his exposition of other Epistles. It was written in Antioch, as Montfaucon infers from a reference which the Author, makes upon Chap. i., ver. 16 to other of his writings, which certainly were written about the same time in that city. (Introduction from the preface by John Henry Newman)Genre(s): Christianity - CommentaryLanguage: EnglishKeyword(s): religion (744), bible (494), Christianity (382), commentary (61), Galatians (8)

God Sees Jesus Followers as “In Christ”: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Followers of Jesus, we are "In Christ" -- God looks at us and sees Jesus in us. Throughout the Epistles we find: "In Christ" or "In Him". In Galatians 3:14, Paul tells us that our faith in Jesus makes us “In Christ” and recipients of God's Covenant with Abraham: “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.". Also, Paul goes even further, in Galatians 3:25-28, to tell us that, through our faith in Jesus, we no longer need any kind of intermediary because we are “In Christ” and we have a personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe: “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”. The benefit our position "In Christ", as Christians, is that when God looks at us, He sees Jesus, the Son; therefore, He then sees us as His sons and daughters.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen.    Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Romans 3:21-26; Romans 6:5-11; Romans 6:22-23; Psalms 77a:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Willing to Speak Up and Share, Publicly, Your Relationship with Jesus?” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB  

In this episode, Chris and Tracy welcome E. K. Strawser—pastor, physician, consultant, church planter, and author of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone. Originally from South Korea, E. K. shares her journey through medical school, ministry, and church planting, reflecting on how her story and place have shaped her leadership. She challenges common assumptions about power, influence, and success, asking hard questions like: Are we drawing crowds or making disciples? Does the church exist just to survive? Grounded in Scripture, particularly Acts and the Epistles, E. K. calls leaders to embrace shared leadership and faithful community.https://www.iwacollaborative.com/ekstrawserhttps://www.iwacollaborative.com/books

Contend for the Faith Ken Wilson Contend for the FaithJude 1-3Message SlidesJude Chart - WilsonIntroduction to 2 Peter - Bible Speaks TodayIntroduction to Jude - Bible Speaks TodayIntroduction to Jude - SwindollInsights on Jude - J. Daryle CharlesSurvey & Theological Insights on Jude - Jim SamraIntroduction to Jude - Jim SamraJude & The Epistles of Jude - BIBDDo you contend for the faith? - Bill Mounce"ἐπαγωνίζεσθαι" Word Study - WilsonIntroduction: A Common Salvation and an Imminent ThreatSecurity(God has provided for our personal security through tough times.)• Humble: We are equal servants of Jesus Christ (1a).• Called: We are sovereignly called by God (1b).• Loved: We are continually loved by God (1c).• Kept: We are constantly kept for Christ (1d).Ministry(God has provided for our personal ministry in tough times.)• Mercy: We must remember the mercy of God (2a).• Peace: We must experience the peace of God (2b).• Love: We must demonstrate the love of God (2c).Challenge(God has provided a realistic perspective on tough times.)• Salvation: The fellowship of our salvation inspires us (3a).• Confrontation: The opposition of false teachers compels us (3b).• Foundation: The “once for all entrusted to the saints faith” unites us (3c).Christians are secure and equippedto stand for the truth in an intense strugglebecause of the resources given by God.The Importance of JudeJude sometimes gets lost, tucked away at the back of the New Testament, butthis short book contains a powerful and important message. Christians ofevery age have had to contend with the danger of ungodly unbelieversinfiltrating and affecting the Christian community. Jude mixes togetherreassuring theological affirmations of God's love and power with pointedlypoetic attacks on ungodliness and wise practical instructions regarding whatbelievers are to do when they find themselves in such situations. Jim SamraThe Purpose of JudeJude wants his readers to understand who his opponents are, the ecologicaljudgment toward which they are moving, and, by implication, what willhappen to Christians who fall prey to their deceptions. He also gives hisreaders a threefold strategy for coping with the false teachers in the present.• Build yourself up in the most holy faith (v.20a).• Pray in the Holy Spirit (v.20b)• Keep yourself in God's love (v. 21a) Jude builds the strategy on the hope that not only can his readers avoidfalling prey to the false teaching, but that they can rescue other—includingthe false teachers themselves—who are already in its grasp. Frank ThielmanUPG FOCUS: The Yao in Malawi The Yao are a large people group in southeastern Africa, primarily living in Malawi, where most are subsistence farmers and fishermen. Though they identify as Muslim, many blend Islamic practices with traditional spiritual beliefs, creating strong spiritual barriers to the gospel. Despite having Scripture and some outreach efforts, very few follow Christ and the community remains resistant. Pray for those barriers to be broken, for the Word of God to take root, and for a growing movement of believers among the Yao.FinancesWeekly Budget 34,615Giving For 05/24 29,133Giving For 05/31 19,095YTD Budget 1,661,538Giving 1,930,553 OVER/(UNDER) 269,015Fellowship 101We invite you to join us on Sunday, June 14, at 9:00 a.m. to learn more about Fellowship. This is a great opportunity to hear about our mission, values, and our ministries. If you're new to Fellowship, join us in the conference room (first floor) to hear what God is doing and where He is taking us. During this time, you will meet some of our ministry leaders and get to ask questions. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register. New to Fellowship?We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship Kids VBS VolunteersWe're gearing up for an exciting week at Rome VBS, June 22–26 from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, and we'd love for you to be part of it! There are lots of ways to serve — whether you enjoy working directly with kids, helping behind the scenes, leading crafts or games, decorating, setting up, preparing materials, or simply jumping in wherever needed. It takes many hands to make VBS a success, and every role makes a difference. Come help us create a fun, welcoming, and unforgettable week for our kids! Contact Heather Fulmer, hfulmer@fellowshipconway.org or Ashley Overstreet, aoverstreet@fellowshipconway.org to volunteer!Men's fellowship Smoke OffNothing brings men together like BBQ! Join us for the Men's Ministry Smoke-Off on Saturday, June 20, from 5–8 PM at The Venue at Fellowship — great food, baggo, board games, and conversations that matter with men worth knowing. Want to compete? Sign up when you register. RSVP today. Register at fellowshipconway.org/men.. Automate the ImportantWe understand that the summer months can be a whirlwind of new schedules and travel. To ensure the continuous growth of Fellowship's ministry, we encourage you to simplify your giving process by automating it. It's a straightforward and hassle-free process. Just visit fellowshipconway.org/give, click “Ready to Give?” then “Recurring,” and fill out the necessary information. If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to John in our office at 501-327-3444 between 8:30 and 4:30, Monday through Thursday.Father's Day Slide ShowWe will share a slide show of Fellowship fathers during both services on June 21. Please send one high-resolution photo (per family) to Lisa at lgerdes@fellowshipconway.org by June 15. The Arlington Mission Trip Has DepartedPlease be in prayer for the 55 youth and adults who traveled to Arlington, TX, this morning to lead backyard Bible studies and share the Gospel. Pray that God will use them powerfully as they minister throughout the week. They will return Friday evening with stories of God's work and hearts drawn even closer to Him.Do You Contend for the Faith - Bill Mounce

He is mentioned in the Epistles of St Paul (Romans 16:14). He served as a bishop in the first-century Church, and died a martyr. His book, The Shepherd, is one of the earliest Christian writings outside of the New Testament, and was held in such esteem by the early Church that it is sometimes found in ancient collections of the Holy Scriptures.   Hermas had been a wealthy man, but had fallen into poverty through his sins. A man, clad all in white and holding a staff, appeared to St Hermas and, telling him that he was an angel of repentance, gave St Hermas twelve commandments: To believe in God To live in simplicity and innocence To love truth and flee from falsehood To guard his thoughts in chastity To learn patience and magnanimity of soul To know that a good and an evil spirit attend every man To fear God, but not the devil To perform every good deed and to restrain himself from every evil one To pray to God in faith from the depths of his heart, so that his prayer might be heard To preserve himself from melancholy, the daughter of doubt, and from anger To try true and false prophecies To preserve himself from every evil desire.

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 2:30 PM Session In this fast-paced teaching session (a leadership/preacher track) Allen surveys 15 characters from Genesis that are referenced in the epistles of the New Testament, explaining how each person points to major theological themes and offering practical sermon ideas. The episode situates the study within a broader Bible overview (the 5.12 Old Testament / 4.1.21.1 New Testament schema) and emphasizes selecting 3–4 memorable lessons to personalize and preach. Key characters examined include Adam and Eve (human failure and divine redemption; the first and second Adam contrast in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15); Cain and Abel (faithful worship vs. false religion; anger and violence); Enoch (walking with God and being taken by God; Hebrews 11, Jude); Noah (obedient faith, separation from the world, and baptism typology in 1 Peter 3); Lot (worldliness and maintaining faith amid compromise); Abraham and Sarah (justification by faith and works, patient trust); Isaac (substitutionary sacrifice type); Ishmael (bondage under law vs. freedom in Christ); Jacob and Esau (election, spiritual growth, profane living and misplaced priorities); Joseph (God's providence and forgiveness); and Melchizedek (a priestly type of Christ). The episode also unpacks recurring motifs and teaching tools: types and antitypes in the Old Testament, three levels of law, Satan's three temptation tactics (doubt God's Word, deny God's consequences, substitute worldly promises), practical sermon outlines, and multiple New Testament cross-references (Romans, Hebrews, Galatians, James, 1 Peter, Jude, Acts). The speaker provides concrete preaching points and pastoral applications—how to illustrate each character's lesson, sermon outline suggestions, and pastoral exhortations for personal growth and ministry. Listeners should expect a 40‑minute rapid tour designed to equip preachers and students with sermon ideas, textual hooks, and pastoral takeaways—encouraging them to focus on a few key figures for teaching, to apply typology responsibly, and to learn spiritual lessons ranging from repentance and obedience to providence and forgiveness. Duration 41:00

When your plans for active service are interrupted by conflict, is it a setback or a divine setup? Pastor David Antwi reveals how God orchestrated Paul's arrest to move him from missionary travel to the vital work of writing the Epistles that transformed the global church. Discover why God sometimes allows us to be 'locked up' to pour something eternal out of us.

April 25, 2026 - Equipped 2026 - Day 3 - 8:00 AM Session In this episode Brother Dan continues the series examining the operative phrase "from the beginning" in the New Testament, focusing on 1 John 2:7–11 and its connection to Jesus' command to "love one another." He traces the phrase across the Gospels and Epistles, showing how the command appeared from the start of Jesus' ministry and is reinforced throughout John, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Corinthians, Colossians and more. The sermon outlines five vivid biblical descriptions of love—love as a badge, blockade, buffer, boundary, and bond—and explains what each image means for Christian life and witness. Brother Dan emphasizes that love should be visible to the world (John 13:34–35), fulfills the law (Romans 13:8–10), tempers conviction with affection (1 Corinthians 16:13–14), keeps us in bounds (Ephesians 5:1), and binds the church in harmony (Colossians 3). He also gives five practical directions for where our love should flow: toward those who mistreat or hate us (Luke 6), toward those who have sinned and now come home (2 Corinthians 2), toward those we have already forgiven (Ephesians/Titus), toward our families (Ephesians 5; Titus 2), and toward people who are different or marginalized (James 2). Each category is illustrated with memorable anecdotes and pastoral counsel. Along the way Brother Dan uses personal and cultural illustrations—from Texas and Tom Landry to a desert-island parable, a childhood football memory, a child with one hand at Bible class, and a cautionary reference to Madeleine Murray O'Hare's diary—to underscore how love must look and act in ordinary life. He warns against factionalism, gossip, backbiting, and punitive treatment of repentant brothers and sisters, urging the church to practice forgiveness, reaffirmation, and visible unity. Key takeaways include: Jesus' command to love was present from the beginning of His ministry; love should be both principled and practical; love protects and corrects without harming; forgiveness requires active comfort and restoration; and a loving church is the strongest testimony to the world. Listeners will leave with scriptural pointers and pastoral challenges to love one another more deeply and visibly. Duration 45:45

Season 2, Episode 110In this episode, Michael and Zach begin a biblical examination of spiritual warfare by asking a foundational question: what does the New Testament actually command Christians to do when facing spiritual opposition? While affirming the reality of demons, temptation, and spiritual conflict, the discussion focuses on the difference between descriptive passages—such as Jesus casting out demons in the Gospels—and the prescriptive instructions given to ordinary believers in the Epistles.The conversation centers heavily on passages like Ephesians 6, James 4, 1 Peter 5, and 2 Corinthians 10, exploring how Scripture consistently frames spiritual warfare around truth, holiness, faith, prayer, repentance, and Spirit-led obedience. Michael and Zach walk through the armor of God, the battle for the mind, resisting the devil through submission to God, and the ongoing conflict against the world, the flesh, and spiritual deception.The episode also addresses common modern misunderstandings surrounding spiritual warfare, including obsessive demon-focused practices, blaming personal sin entirely on Satan, and seeking extra-biblical techniques not commanded in Scripture. Rather than portraying spiritual warfare primarily as dramatic confrontation, the New Testament presents it as the ordinary but serious Christian battle to stand firm in Christ, put sin to death, cling to truth, and walk faithfully by the Spirit. The believer who daily resists temptation, renews his mind, and perseveres in obedience is engaging in genuine spiritual warfare.Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/6yreFedqU7oMerch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com

By Jorge de Campos - Because of what Paul described in previous chapters, he commands the ministry to preach the Word, be ready, convince, rebuke and exhort sound doctrine. The time will come that some will deviate from the truth.

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By Jorge de Campos - Paul's warnings about the time of the end. What we must do instead. We have to persevere and continue in what we have been taught, The Scriptures are God breathed for us to grow so we may be mature and complete.

1 Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.Non turbetur cor vestrum. Creditis in Deum, et in me credite. 2 In my Father's house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you.In domo Patris mei mansiones multae sunt; si quominus dixissem vobis : quia vado parare vobis locum. 3 And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be.Et si abiero, et praeparavero vobis locum, iterum venio, et accipiam vos ad meipsum : ut ubi sum ego, et vos sitis. 4 And whither I go you know, and the way you know.Et quo ego vado scitis, et viam scitis. 5 Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?Dicit ei Thomas : Domine, nescimus quo vadis : et quomodo possumus viam scire? 6 Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.Dicit ei Jesus : Ego sum via, et veritas, et vita. Nemo venit ad Patrem, nisi per me. 7 If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.Si cognovissetis me, et Patrem meum utique cognovissetis : et amodo cognoscetis eum, et vidistis eum. 8 Philip saith to him: Lord, shew us the Father, and it is enough for us.Dicit ei Philippus : Domine, ostende nobis Patrem, et sufficit nobis. 9 Jesus saith to him: Have I been so long a time with you; and have you not known me? Philip, he that seeth me seeth the Father also. How sayest thou, shew us the Father?Dicit ei Jesus : Tanto tempore vobiscum sum, et non cognovistis me? Philippe, qui videt me, videt et Patrem. Quomodo tu dicis : Ostende nobis Patrem? 10 Do you not believe, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself. But the Father who abideth in me, he doth the works.Non creditis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est? Verba quae ego loquor vobis, a meipso non loquor. Pater autem in me manens, ipse fecit opera. 11 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?Non creditis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est? 12 Otherwise believe for the very works' sake. Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do; and greater than these shall he do.alioquin propter opera ipsa credite. Amen, amen dico vobis, qui credit in me, opera quae ego facio, et ipse faciet, et majora horum faciet. 13 Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.Quia ego ad Patrem vado: et quodcumque petieritis Patrem in nomine meo, hoc faciam : ut glorificetur Pater in Filio.St Philip, like Peter and Andrew, was of Bethsaida. He was crucified in Phrygia where he preached the Gospel A.D. 87.St James the Less, was of Cana and a kinsman of Our Lord. He wrote one of the Epistles of the New Testament. He was thrown from the terrace of the temple A.D. 93.

Sunday, 3 May 2026   And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. Matthew 19:15   “And having laid the hands on them, He went thence.” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus told the disciples they should not prohibit the little children from coming to Him because it is those like them to whom belong the kingdom of the heavens. Matthew next records, “And having laid the hands on them, He went thence.”   Mark, as before, gives a fuller rendering of the event, saying, “And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” The fact that Jesus laid His hands on the children means that He blessed them. It wasn't just that He rubbed their heads and told them they were cute.   What Matthew says is fully sufficient to convey implicitly that which Mark makes explicit. The reason for the difference is that a Jewish audience would know very well what the laying on of hands signified, whereas a Gentile audience may need a fuller explanation.   In verse 19:13, it said the children were brought so that Jesus might put His hands on them and pray. Because of this, scholars struggle to connect those words with what Jesus does here. For example, Bengel says, “Our Lord is not said to have prayed, as He had been asked to do in Matthew 19:13, by those forsooth who were not fully aware of His oneness with the Father.”   Bengel is saying that Jesus didn't need to pray because He is One with the Father. That is faulty logic. Elsewhere, Jesus prays to the Father. The Pulpit Commentary follows suit with Bengel's logic, saying, “Doubtless there was meaning in this omission. In conferring blessing he was acting in his Divine nature, and had no need of prayer.”   That assumes too much. The people did not know Jesus was God incarnate. The disciples struggled with this until it became explicit after the resurrection. Rather, the act of blessing is to be taken as an act of prayer. This would be true with any person who blesses another. The very act of blessing in this context implies that the words are a petition to God for the blessing to be realized.   Life application: Of this verse, Charles Ellicott says –   “The words and the act have rightly been regarded, as in the Baptismal Office of the Church of England, as the true warrant for infant baptism. More than doubtful passages in the Acts and Epistles; more than the authority, real or supposed, of primitive antiquity; more than the legal fiction that they fulfil the condition of baptism by their sponsors—they justify the Church of Christ at large in commending infants, as such, to the blessing of their Father. The blessing and the prayer of Christ cannot be regarded as a mere sympathising compliance with the fond wishes of the parents, and if infants were capable of spiritual blessings then, why, it may well be asked, should they be thought incapable now?”   Ellicott and others see Jesus' act in these verses as justification for infant baptism. And yet, to him, the steady stream of baptisms which follow belief for every person in the book of Acts, along with the prescriptive words found in the epistles, are “doubtful” in justifying immersion after belief? How can that be?   Jesus explicitly said to make disciples and baptize them, implying belief followed by baptism. His words are after the resurrection and are to be taken as a prescriptive command.   Further, Jesus did not baptize the children in this passage. He took them in His arms, and He blessed them. Blessing is not baptism. At best, an infant can be prayed over and dedicated to God. This is appropriate, and it is an act for the parents to openly make a commitment to raise their children in a godly, Christian manner. There is nothing wrong and everything right about that.   But to somehow try to justify infant baptism, while also denying the need for believers' baptism based on the Bible, is an impossible task because such a doctrine cannot be inferred, much less be found in Scripture.   Just because tradition is introduced into a church or denomination, it cannot be held as acceptable, no matter how long it has been practiced, if it does not conform to what the Bible says. If you have never been scripturally baptized after putting your faith in Jesus, it is time to do so. The Lord commanded it, the book of Acts makes it a normative event, and the epistles confirm that it is the proper practice to follow for all who believe.   O God, thank You that Jesus died, was interred, and rose again! In honor of that wonderfully good news, help us to be obedient to follow Him in believers' baptism, just as He instructed us to do. Praises to You, O God, for what You have done in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.  

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Pope's Essay on Man, a masterpiece of concise summary in itself, can fairly be summed up as an optimistic enquiry into mankind's place in the vast Chain of Being.Each of the poem's four Epistles takes a different perspective, presenting Man in relation to the universe, as individual, in society and, finally, tracing his prospects for achieving the goal of happiness.In choosing stately rhyming couplets to explore his theme, Pope sometimes becomes obscure through compressing his language overmuch. By and large, the work is a triumphant exercise in philosophical poetry, communicating its broad and commonplace truths in superbly balanced phrases which remind us that Pope, alas, is one of the most quoted but least read writers in English:“Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest.”Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pope's Essay on Man, a masterpiece of concise summary in itself, can fairly be summed up as an optimistic enquiry into mankind's place in the vast Chain of Being.Each of the poem's four Epistles takes a different perspective, presenting Man in relation to the universe, as individual, in society and, finally, tracing his prospects for achieving the goal of happiness.In choosing stately rhyming couplets to explore his theme, Pope sometimes becomes obscure through compressing his language overmuch. By and large, the work is a triumphant exercise in philosophical poetry, communicating its broad and commonplace truths in superbly balanced phrases which remind us that Pope, alas, is one of the most quoted but least read writers in English:“Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest.”Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

By Jorge de Campos - Ministers need to rightly divide the Word of truth. Shun false teachings because they spread like cancer. Correct in humility, hoping that God will grant them repentance.

By Jorge de Campos - God's teaching is to be faithfully conveyed. First from God to his apostles; then to those trained by the apostles; then to faithful men who will be able to teach others.They need to be faithful, to teach what they have been taught. They are not to insert their own ideas. Their teaching is to be

What does it actually mean to study the Bible, not just read it, but truly dig into it? In this episode of Explore the Bible, Amir Tsarfati and Pastor Dr. Rick Yohn introduce a powerful approach to understanding the Epistles as a literary genre and apply it directly to 2 Peter.Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned student of the Word, this episode will give you fresh tools to open your Bible with confidence..Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael

As we close out our series in the Epistles of John, we are shown one of the final keys to experiencing a life of abundance. Throughout this series, we have seen that the true “good life” comes from loving and obeying Jesus. Looking at the story of Palm Sunday, we see how that obedience and love often looks like putting the needs of others above our own. May you be encouraged to examine where you are putting yourself before others and see how you can reorder your love to truly experience the abundant life. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: 3 John 1:9-12 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on March 29, 2026

By Jorge De Campos - After Nero burns Rome and accuses Christians to divert suspicion, a great persecution of Chrtians in Rome ensues. Paul ends up being imprisoned for a secod time and finally martyred. While in Rome, he now writes second Timothy. Paul encourages Timothy to stir up God's Spirit of Power and continue

By Jorge De Campos - The greed of false teachers. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Guard what was committed to your trust.

Can We Derive Doctrine from Bible Stories?Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with Dr. David K. BernardNearly 60 percent of the Bible is written in narrative form. Instead of presenting theology in systematic outlines, Scripture often teaches through stories, especially in books such as Acts. But can doctrine be established from these narratives?In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses a foundational question of biblical interpretation: How do we distinguish between what is merely descriptive in Scripture and what is prescriptive for the church today?Referencing his book Understanding God's Word, Dr. Bernard challenges the common Western assumption that the propositional teaching of the Epistles carries more theological authority than the examples recorded in Acts. He explains why narrative passages are not secondary theology and why the practices of the early church matter for doctrine.With biblical clarity, Dr. Bernard explores how to properly interpret Scripture and why the example of the early church remains essential for believers today.This episode is a thoughtful and practical guide for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of hermeneutics, apostolic doctrine, and the authority of Scripture.Visit PentecostalPublishing.com to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code DKB10 at checkout to save 10 percent on your order.If you enjoy this podcast, leave a five-star rating and a review on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform. We also appreciate it when you share Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with family and friends.

What does it actually mean to study the Bible, not just read it, but truly dig into it? In this episode of Explore the Bible, Amir Tsarfati and Pastor Dr. Rick Yohn introduce a powerful approach to understanding the Epistles as a literary genre and apply it directly to 2 Peter, Chapter 1.Whether you're a new believer or a seasoned student of the Word, this episode will give you fresh tools to open your Bible with confidence.Connect with us on social:Telegram: @beholdisraelchannelInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir.tsarfati/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beholdisrael/X: https://x.com/beholdisraelYouTube: https://youtube.com/@beholdisrael