Apostolic Life in the 21st Century

What If a Parent Prohibits their Child’s Baptism? 01.06.2026 9m

What should a pastor do when a child sincerely wants to be baptized in Jesus’ name, but a parent refuses to give consent? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, UPCI General Superintendent Dr. David K. Bernard offers biblical and pastoral guidance for one of the most sensitive situations a church may face. Apostolic Pentecostals believe baptism is part of the biblical plan of salvation described in Acts 2:38, but pastors must also consider the God-given authority of parents, ...

Is There Such a Thing as a Just War? 25.05.2026 14m

Is war ever morally justified? Can Christians support military action while still following the teachings of Jesus? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard examines the historic doctrine of “just war” and explores what the Bible teaches about warfare, national defense, and the use of force. Prompted by current global conflicts and the reflection that often accompanies Memorial Day, this conversation addresses questions Christians have wrestled with for cent...

The Gifts of Healing: A Gift for Some or a Sign for All? 18.05.2026 6m

In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses an important question about divine healing and the gifts of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul lists the “gifts of healing” (verse 9) among the spiritual gifts and makes it clear that not every believer operates in this gift (verse 30). Yet in Mark 16:18, Jesus said believers would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. Is healing a special ministry given only to certain individuals, or...

Called by God or Hired by a Search Committee? 11.05.2026 10m

What does it really mean to be “called” to a ministry? In Pentecostal circles, pastors often testify that God specifically led them to a church, city, or ministry assignment. Congregations likewise take comfort in believing their pastor was divinely directed, not merely hired like someone applying for a job. But that raises an important question. After seeing a church advertise a pastoral opening on Facebook, a viewer asked: If ministry is truly a calling from God, is it appropriate to post p...

Should Apostolics Pursue Higher Education? 04.05.2026 23m

Should Apostolics pursue higher education, or does academic study put faith at risk? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses an important question facing many in the Apostolic movement. Should higher education be approached with caution, or is it essential to the future of the church? What is the proper perspective? Drawing from his own academic journey and decades of ministry leadership, Dr. Bernard makes a compelling case for the value of educat...

Who Was Tertullian? 27.04.2026 14m

Who was Tertullian—and why does he still matter to Christians today? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard explores the life, writings, and lasting influence of one of the most significant figures in early church history. Frequently cited in discussions about the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, Tertullian’s ideas continue to shape theological conversations centuries later. Dr. Bernard examines who Tertullian was and the role he played in shapi...

Is the Pope Really the Successor to Peter? 20.04.2026 17m

With the Pope once again in the global spotlight, questions about his authority—and the authority of the church he leads—are drawing renewed attention. Both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim an unbroken line of leadership stretching back to the apostles. According to this view, today’s bishops—and ultimately the Pope—stand in direct succession to the apostle Peter. But how strong is this claim? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. B...

Are There “Heaven or Hell” Rules for Christians? 13.04.2026 16m

Are there any “Heaven or Hell” rules Christians must follow in order to be saved? If so, what are they and how should we understand them? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard responds to this frequently-asked question which often arises in discussions about holiness, not only among Oneness Pentecostals, but across conservative Christian communities. Dr. Bernard provides biblical insight into: The difference between living by faith and falling into legali...

Can We Really Do Greater Works than Jesus? 06.04.2026 4m

Can We Really Do Greater Works than Jesus? Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with Dr. David K. Bernard In John 14:12, Jesus made a remarkable promise: “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” But what did He mean? Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, and demonstrated power over nature itself. How could believers possibly do “greater” works than these? In this episode, Dr. David K. Bernard provides clear, biblical insight into t...

Did Jesus Go Preach in Hell? 30.03.2026 13m

Did Jesus Go Preach in Hell? What happened between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? Christians around the world pause each year to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We commemorate His crucifixion on Good Friday and celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday—but what does the Bible say about the time in between? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard examines key passages such as Acts 2:27 and 1 Peter 3:19, which are often interpr...

How to Pray with Spiritual Seekers 23.03.2026 19m

How to Pray with Spiritual Seekers Apostolics are rightly passionate about praying with those who are seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but some approaches can become overly emotional or place unintended pressure on seekers. In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard offers practical guidance for praying with others in a way that avoids manipulation, honors the work of the Spirit, and upholds sound doctrine. This episode provides valuable insights for pa...

Is It OK for Christians to Sue? 16.03.2026 11m

Is It OK for Christians to Sue? An Apostolic believer recently asked an important question: If a Christian is injured in an accident, is it wrong to seek compensation through legal action? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard responds to a real-life situation involving an auto accident that resulted in injuries and property damage. The listener wondered whether forgiving the person responsible means they must also give up pursuing compensation for medica...

Is God the Father Also the Son? 09.03.2026 18m

What is the biblical relationship between the Father and the Son? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard explains how Oneness Pentecostals understand this vital question. Drawing from his book The Oneness of God, he unpacks the statement, “Although we do not believe that the Father is the Son, we do believe that the Father is in the Son.” Looking at key passages in the Gospels, Dr. Bernard shows how Scripture reveals the Father working in and through Chris...

Can We Derive Doctrine from Bible Stories? 02.03.2026 17m

Can We Derive Doctrine from Bible Stories? Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with Dr. David K. Bernard Nearly 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 de...

Should Women Wear Head Coverings When They Pray? 23.02.2026 10m

Episode 252: Should Women Wear Head Coverings When They Pray? In 1 Corinthians 11:5–6, the apostle Paul wrote that a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered “dishonors her head.” Did Paul mean that women should wear a literal, physical head covering when they pray? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard carefully examines 1 Corinthians 11 and makes the case that a woman’s uncut hair is given to her as her covering. At the same time, Dr. Berna...

Should I Cut My Parents Out of My Life? 16.02.2026 9m

Family relationships are being reexamined across today’s culture, as more adult children choose to cut off contact with their parents in the name of “boundaries.” What began as a broader social trend is now affecting Christian and Apostolic families as well. In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard addresses a challenging and deeply personal question: Does Scripture support an adult Christian cutting ties with Christian parents? With biblical clarity and pas...

Has the Church Replaced Israel in God’s Plan? 09.02.2026 11m

Has the Church Replaced Israel in God’s Plan? Apostolic Life in the 21st Century with Dr. David K. Bernard In light of ongoing global attention on the nation of Israel, many Christians are revisiting an important theological question: Has the church replaced Israel in God’s plan, or does God still have a future purpose for the Jewish people? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard offers a thoughtful, biblically grounded answer rooted in passages such as Ro...

What Is the Didache? 02.02.2026 8m

Does the Didache teach Trinitarian baptism? In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard examines the Didache, an early Christian document frequently cited in debates over baptism and early church practice. The Didache includes instructions to baptize “into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” as well as guidance related to fasting before baptism. But how authoritative is this document, and how should it be understood today? Dr. Berna...

Is Abortion Ever Justified? 26.01.2026 13m

Is abortion ever justified? Although the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling has been overturned, abortion remains widespread, and debate continues—particularly over whether there are circumstances in which abortion might be considered justifiable. Drawing from Scripture and Christian ethics, Dr. Bernard addresses common objections often raised in public discussion, including cases involving rape, incest, and situations where the life of the mother is at risk. He explains the biblical princ...

How Do We Build Multicultural Congregations? 19.01.2026 14m

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously observed that “11 o’clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America.” In this episode of Apostolic Life in the 21st Century, Dr. David K. Bernard reflects on that statement and its ongoing relevance for today’s church. Dr. Bernard also discusses the importance of multicultural ministry and shares practical, biblical insights on how churches can create a welcoming environment for people of every race, ethnicity, and culture. Drawing from his e...