
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
226 episodes
Why Do Oneness Pentecostals Emphasize Acts 2:38?
Why do Oneness Pentecostals place so much emphasis on Acts 2:38? Dr. David K. Bernard explains the significance of Peter's response to the question, "What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37, NKJV) and how Acts 2:38 succinctly summarizes the New Testament...
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Season 5
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Episode 226
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15:52

Should Christians Honor Unsaved Parents?
The fifth commandment instructs us to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12), a principle reaffirmed by Paul in Ephesians 6:2. But what does this mean for Christians whose parents are not believers? And how should believers respond ...
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Season 5
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Episode 225
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12:32

What If I Have Doubts?
Is it wrong for Christians to have doubts? How should believers respond when doubts arise in their minds? Dr. David K. Bernard examines what the Bible says about faith, doubt, and reason, and why truth bears investigation.For more on th...
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Season 5
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Episode 224
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10:46

Barna Report: Most Americans Reject the Trinity
Christian researcher George Barna released a report earlier this year revealing that only 16 percent of self-proclaimed Christians in the United States believe in the Trinity. Dr. David K. Bernard explores what this means for Oneness Pentecosta...
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Season 5
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Episode 223
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17:03

Are "Church Standards" Biblical?
Not every church guideline is spelled out in the Bible. Does that make those guidelines unbiblical? Dr. David K. Bernard explores the role of spiritual authority, pastoral leadership, and the legitimacy of so-called “church standards” in this t...
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Season 5
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Episode 222
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14:50

What I'd Tell My Teenage Self: Advice for Apostolic Youth
With North American Youth Congress set to begin later in the week, Dr. David K. Bernard shares advice and insights that will help Apostolic students and young adults live out God's purpose and plan for their lives.For further reading on...
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Season 5
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Episode 221
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16:27

What Is the Gift of Discerning of Spirits?
What is the gift of “discerning of spirits” mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:10? How does it work, and can we see it in action today? Dr. David K. Bernard provides biblical insight, real-world examples, and practical understanding of this ...
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Season 5
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Episode 220
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10:23

If Smoking Is a Sin, What About Soda?
Apostolic Pentecostals have long taken a strong stand against substances that harm the body—tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and the abuse of prescription medications. But if we condemn smoking and drinking for destroying the body, what about o...
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Season 5
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Episode 219
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15:29

Is Christian Nationalism a Problem?
What is Christian nationalism? Should Christians embrace or avoid this ideology? With Independence Day approaching, Dr. David K. Bernard unpacks the concept of “Christian Nationalism" and examines Christianity's influence on America's founding,...
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Season 5
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Episode 218
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12:38

Does "God Is Love" Prove He's Triune?
Trinitarians sometimes argue that 1 John 4:8 ("God is love") demands that God be triune in nature. In his popular book Mere Christianity, Christian apologist C. S. Lewis wrote, “The words ‘God is love’ have no real meaning unless God c...
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Season 5
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Episode 217
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13:16

How Do We Raise Children Who Stay in the Church?
Every Apostolic parent wants to see their children grow up serving God and continuing in truth—but how can we give them the best foundation to make this possible? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bern...
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Season 5
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Episode 216
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13:40

How Does Praying in Tongues Benefit Believers?
How does speaking in tongues during personal prayer times benefit believers? Is there biblical support for a private “prayer language”? How does this differ from tongues as a public sign (1 Corinthians 14:22)? Should believers be concerned if t...
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Season 5
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Episode 215
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15:22

How to Overcome Same-Sex Attraction
In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard responds to a listener's question about overcoming same-sex attraction. Drawing from Scripture and years of pastoral experience, Dr. Bernard provides compassionate, bib...
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Season 5
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Episode 214
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18:50

Should Christians Practice Yoga or Martial Arts?
Dr. David K. Bernard addresses a question frequently raised by Christians navigating modern culture: Is it acceptable for believers to practice yoga or participate in martial arts?Yoga and many martial arts have historical roots in East...
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Season 5
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Episode 213
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8:27

Can We Be Baptized for the Dead?
What did the apostle Paul mean when he wrote, “What will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:29, NKJV). Paul's words have sparked centuries of debate...
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Season 5
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Episode 212
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9:30

Why Do Pentecostals Use Anointing Oil in Prayer?
Why do Pentecostals use anointing oil in prayer? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard explains the biblical origin and spiritual purpose of this practice.Visit
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Season 5
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Episode 211
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9:21

Creeds, Conflict, and Constantine: What Happened at the Council of Nicaea?
In May 325, the Emperor Constantine convened a meeting of Christian leaders in the town of Nicaea, in modern Turkey. At that meeting, church leaders crafted a statement known as the “Nicaean Creed” that is still recited by many Christians today...
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Season 5
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Episode 210
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20:45

How Do I Find God's Will for My Life?
As graduation season approaches, many students—and even adults—are asking a crucial question: How do I find God’s will for my life? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard breaks down the process of discerning and following God’s directi...
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Season 5
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Episode 209
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14:50

What Does the Bible Say About Angels?
Both the Old and New Testaments make frequent references to angels. Angels played a central role in announcing the resurrection of Jesus. What are angels, and what does the Bible really teach about them? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the...
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Season 5
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Episode 208
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11:58

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
As Easter approaches, Dr. David K. Bernard answers the question at the heart of the Christian faith: why did Jesus have to die? In this special episode, Dr. Bernard explores the meaning of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He...
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Season 5
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Episode 207
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13:07

How Do Oneness Pentecostals Explain John 17:5?
Does Jesus' prayer in John 17:5 disprove the Oneness Pentecostal assertion that the Son of God did not exist prior to the Incarnation? In this podcast episode, Dr. David K. Bernard examines John 17 and what it teaches us about the Godhead and t...
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Season 5
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Episode 206
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13:01

What Is the Fear of the Lord?
If God is love (1 John 4:8), why do Proverbs 9:10 and other Bible verses repeatedly instruct us to have the "fear of the Lord"? In this podcast episode, Dr. David K. Bernard explains what it means to "fear God" and how we should understand this...
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Season 5
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Episode 205
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8:19

Why Is Planting New Churches Important?
Why do we need more churches in North America? The United Pentecostal Church International currently has more than 5,000 congregations in the United States and Canada. Is there really a need for more? On the eve of the annual UPCI North America...
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Season 5
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Episode 204
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20:15

What Does Biblical Modesty Look Like?
The Pentecostal Holiness movement emphasizes the importance of modesty, often referencing 1 Timothy 2:9-10 as a guiding scripture passage. But in a world where fashion, culture, and societal norms are constantly evolving, how should 21st centur...
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Season 5
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Episode 203
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19:23

What Is Spiritual Warfare?
Many Christians, including Pentecostals, speak about “spiritual warfare,” but what does that phrase really mean? Dr. David K. Bernard provides a clear, biblical perspective on spiritual warfare and what it looks like in the life of a believer.<...
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Season 5
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Episode 202
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14:06
