Apostolic Life in the 21st Century
A podcast dedicated to helping modern-day believers live out the teachings of the first century church. This podcast is part of the teaching ministry of Dr. David K. Bernard, the general superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International.
Episodes
177 episodes since 2020
Who Is the Antichrist?
The Scriptures describe an evil leader known as the Antichrist who will arise in the end times to rule the world and oppose God's people. Dr. David K. Bernard reviews what the Bible says about the Antichrist and the signs that will accompany hi...
September 16, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 177
•
10:16
How Did God Create the World through His Son?
Was the Son of God involved in the creation of the world? How do Oneness Pentecostals explain Hebrews 1:1-2, which states, "God ... has in these last days spoken to us by His Son ... through whom also He made the worlds" (NKJV)? Dr. David K. Be...
September 09, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 176
•
12:22
Does the Bible Support the Multiverse Theory?
Does the Bible support the theory of the existence of multiple universes, often referred to as the "multiverse"? Dr. David K. Bernard examines this idea from a scriptural perspective and shares his thoughts on its ramifications for biblical apo...
September 02, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 175
•
15:04
What Is the Word of Wisdom?
In 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, the apostle Paul includes the "word of wisdom" in his list of gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit. Dr. David K. Bernard explains what the word of wisdom is, how it operates, and how it can benefit believers, particularly...
August 26, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 174
•
10:12
Karl Barth and Oneness Pentecostals
What do a notable Swiss Reformed theologian from the mid-twentieth century and Oneness Pentecostals have in common? More than you might think. Dr. David K. Bernard reviews what Karl Barth had to say about the nature of the Godhead and the plan ...
August 19, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 173
•
17:22
What Will Hell Be Like?
The Bible offers descriptions of Hell that seem contradictory at first glance. For instance, Jesus described Hell both as a place of "outer darkness" (Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30) and as a "furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:42, 50). Dr. David K. Bern...
August 12, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 172
•
17:24
Should Christian Couples Use IVF?
Is it biblically acceptable for Christian couples to use in vitro fertilization (IVF) if they are unable to conceive children naturally? Some Christian groups object to the practice because it can lead to the destruction of leftover human embry...
August 05, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 171
•
7:33
Should Christians Belong to Secret Societies?
Early Pentecostals taught that believers should not be part of so-called "secret societies" such as the Freemasons where members are bound by an oath. Dr. David K. Bernard explains the biblical rationale behind this teaching and why a Christian...
July 29, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 170
•
6:40
What about the “We” in John 14:23?
In John 14:23, Jesus said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (NKJV). If there is only one God, why does Jesus use the plural pronouns "we" and "our" in th...
July 22, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 169
•
11:15
What Is Sanctification?
Paul wrote that it is God's will for believers to experience sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). What is sanctification, and how does it happen? Dr. David K. Bernard explains what sanctification is and how it works in the life of a Christian....
July 15, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 168
•
14:00
What Is the Millennial Kingdom?
In Revelation 20, John described a vision of a one thousand-year period known as the millennial kingdom during which Satan is bound and believers live and rule on earth with Jesus Christ. Dr. David K. Bernard explains the significance of this o...
July 08, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 167
•
10:04
Pentecostals and Politics: An Update
Dr. David K. Bernard explains why it is important for Apostolic Pentecostals to engage in the political arena and how ordinary believers can make a difference politically without alienating those they are trying to reach with the gospel.
July 01, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 166
•
14:42
How Should Christians Respond to Unwanted Thoughts?
How should Christians respond to unwanted thoughts that are contrary to God's Word such as hatred, profanity, or lust? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard outlines what we can do when evil thoughts enter our minds and how we can deter them in...
June 24, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 165
•
10:14
Is Oneness Pentecostalism a Modern Invention?
Some critics argue that Oneness Pentecostalism is a modern religious concoction seasoned with a dash of ancient heresy. Dr. David K. Bernard refutes this claim by citing evidence of key Oneness Pentecostal doctrines both in the New Testament an...
June 17, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 164
•
14:15
Does the Old Testament Promote Genocide?
In the Old Testament, God commands His people to commit what could be described as mass genocide. For instance, in 1 Samuel 15:3, God orders King Saul to attack Amalek and spare nothing within the city, including women, children, and livestock....
June 10, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 163
•
15:28
How Do We Know What Books Should Be Included in the Bible?
Books such as Enoch, the Gospel of Thomas, the Epistle of Barnabas, and many others were composed at roughly the same time as the books in our Bible, but why were they not included as part of the "canon" that we know today? In this week's episo...
June 03, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 162
•
10:44
Should Christians Participate in Boycotts?
In this week's episode, Dr. David K. Bernard discusses whether Christians should boycott companies with policies that contradict a biblical worldview and if they have an obligation to do so.
May 27, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 161
•
9:33
Should I Be Rebaptized?
When should someone consider being rebaptized? Is it ever necessary for someone who was previously baptized in Jesus’ name to be baptized in Jesus’ name again? Dr. David K. Bernard answers this important question that has puzzled some beli...
May 20, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 160
•
12:33
Who Is the Word in John 1?
Debates about the nature of the Godhead often reference the opening verses of the Gospel of John. In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains the significance of this passage and what the apostle John intended to communicate to his readers, ...
May 13, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 159
•
16:21
What Is the Gift of Tongues?
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul lists nine gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit. Notably, in verse 10, he includes "different kinds of tongues" and "the interpretation of tongues.” In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains the significance of these...
May 06, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 158
•
10:23
Should a Christian Swear an Oath?
Is it a sin for Christians to swear an oath when entering certain professions or when called upon to testify in court? Dr. David K. Bernard looks at Jesus' teaching regarding oaths in Matthew 5:33-37 and how His words apply to Christians living...
April 29, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 157
•
12:03
Are Humans Guilty of Original Sin?
Is every human a sinner from the moment of conception? Experience certainly shows that we do not need anyone to teach us how to sin - humans seem to gravitate toward sin naturally. Join Dr. David K. Bernard as he looks at what the Bible says ab...
April 22, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 156
•
15:35
Is It Wrong for Christians to Be Rich?
In the Gospels, Jesus tells a rich young nobleman to sell all of his personal possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, promising, "you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21, NKJV). Jesus then told His disciples...
April 15, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 155
•
18:02
Why Did God Allow Confusing Bible Verses?
Why did God allow "confusing" verses to be included in the Bible? How can sincere people read the same scriptures and arrive at wildly different conclusions about their meaning? Why didn’t God give us His Word in a form that would be clear to e...
April 08, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 154
•
11:47
What Does the Laying on of Hands Symbolize?
The New Testament makes several references to the "laying on of hands," particularly in connection with prayer, healing, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:18, Acts 8:17-19, Hebrews 6:2, etc.). What is the significance of this practice...
April 01, 2024
•
Season 4
•
Episode 153
•
9:24