The Berean Post Podcast

The Berean Post Podcast

by Dwaine Senechal
ChristianityReligion
Season 1

35. From Psalm 110 to Colossians 3:1: The Fulfillment of God's Promise in Christ

As Christians, we often talk about being raised with Christ and united with Him through His death and resurrection. However, another phrase that appears in the New Testament is equally significant: "where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God." This phrase, mentioned several times in the New Testament, holds deep theological meaning and has its roots in the Old Testament.In Colossians 3:1, Paul refers to Christ seated at God’s right hand. This phrase signifies the fulfillment of one of the most frequently cited verses in the New Testament - Psalm 110. In this psalm, King David speaks of a vision he received from God, in which God promises to exalt David's descendant and place him at His right hand. This promise was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, who was born into David's lineage and was seated at God's right hand through His resurrection and ascension to heaven.The phrase "seated at the right hand of God" holds theological significance. It communicates Christ's divinity, His authority as the King of kings, and His ongoing work on behalf of His people. The right hand of God is a position of power and honour, and by being seated there, Christ shares in the glory of the Father. This position also signifies Christ's ongoing work of intercession on behalf of His people as He continues to pray for us and work for our salvation.
S1 · E35
Apr 16, 2023
7:18

33. Rising with Christ: The Power of Metaphysical Transformation Col 2:20–3:7 -Part 2

The gospel’s transformative power is further emphasized in Romans 6:4-5, where Paul describes being united with Christ in his death and resurrection. This union transforms our lives as we walk in the newness of life. It is not merely a religious life but a new type of life that we have been given. When we encounter Christ, we know that something has happened. John says that when love for people, as defined by 1 Corinthians 13, begins to form, we have passed from death to life and are children of God. This transformation cannot be accomplished through our capabilities, but only through the work of Jesus in our lives. When Jesus, the Prince of Peace, enters the core of who we are, this metaphysical transformation happens. Where there was once unforgiveness, there now resides forgiveness; once there was hate, now there is love; once there was judgment, now there is mercy. Once there was a propensity towards immorality, selfishness, and greed; now, there is a proclivity towards righteousness and holiness.
S1 · E33
Apr 14, 2023
7:41

32. The Art of Reading the Bible: Understanding the Flow of Thought - Col 2:20–3:7 Part 1

Honestly, I regret not paying more attention to my English classes during my school and college days. Due to my lack of prioritizing education back then, I now find myself having to catch up on proper English grammar and word usage after many years. I like to read and listen to audiobooks, and my interest in reading and appreciating the English language and words has grown over the years. Admittedly, my knowledge of the original text of the Bible is limited, so I often read English translations of those texts slowly, paying more attention to words and grammar. And thank God for some of the modern tools we have to aid our Bible study and for friends that can assist with difficult passages, especially those relating to Greek or Hebrew.Today, we will examine a larger portion of text, specifically 2:20 verses chapter 3:7. It may surprise those new to reading the Bible or just getting acquainted with the biblical text that these texts in the original languages did not have chapters, verses, or punctuation. In the case of Greek, while upper- and lower-case letters exist, most Greek text related to the New Testament is generally capitalized.Bible translators do their best to insert chapters and verses to make navigating the New Testament text easier and interpreting it in English. So, with direct translation into English, punctuation is necessary to make sense of the text. I mention all this to make a point: the best way to read the New Testament epistles is in one sitting, ignoring the chapter divisions and trying to understand the flow of thought.Today, as we reflect on this Scripture passage, let's focus on a few particular words: "therefore," "if," "why," and "then." When reading Paul's epistles, or any epistles for that matter, I pay attention to these words as they are significant.
S1 · E32
Apr 13, 2023
10:55

31. Breaking the Chains of Religion: How Faith in Christ Differs from Other World Religions - Col 2:20–23

I have frequently expressed two ideas: one can place the Bible on one end of a table and all other religious texts on the opposite. Though my opinion may be biased, it is the truth and that it can be objectively proven. The second idea I have shared is that Christianity stands apart from all other religions and philosophies worldwide, and I will explain why.The appeal of religion to our fallen human nature lies in the belief that we can achieve our atonement. All religions acknowledge our inherent flaws but offer a solution: if we follow the prescribed rules, we can improve our standing. This system reinforces the egotistical pride that is part of human nature. We find comfort in the lists of do's and don'ts that religions provide, as we are responsible for following them. This provides a sense of moral accomplishment and progress, leading to comparison and competition. We measure our adherence to the rules against the objective list but also compare ourselves to others to see who is “righteous”. Thus, religion becomes a social hierarchy, with individuals vying for the title of most devout according to their respective religion.
S1 · E30
Apr 12, 2023
8:31

29. Don't Be Cheated: False Teachings and the True Gospel Message (Col 2:16–19) Part 2

Let no one judge you in food, drink, festival, new moon, or sabbaths.Despite the passage of time, the issue of the Sabbath and new moons still divides the church. Some groups insist on following Jewish laws and traditions. Still today, there are small groups and individuals that, while holding to the belief that Jesus is the Messiah and initiator of the new covenant, still hold tenaciously to tenants of the Levitical law. Some Christian groups insist on worshiping on the Sabbath and holding to a kosher diet, and some exclude meat all together. Others insist that Jewish holidays and feasts should replace Christian holidays. And if you look at some of these believers, you will think they were Jewish despite not having a drop of Semitic blood.Granted, it is difficult to conceive that Jewish believers abruptly abandoned their cultural and dietary customs in the first century preceding the temple's destruction. The gospel's message was not focused on cultural transformation but on spiritual rebirth and a changed heart. The Colossian church probably comprised both Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul's cautionary remarks in this text suggest that there were two potential dangers, namely, Jewish traditions and mysticism on the one hand and mystery religions and Gnosticism on the other, which posed a threat to the church.Each believer must have the freedom to obey their conscience and follow the path God has laid out for them. God can give different directions to different individuals, such as abstaining from eating pork or some other action. However, Paul's warning is not to allow others to impose their convictions on you and elevate trivial matters to undue importance. He cautions against any teaching that fails to keep Christ and his salvific work at the core.Certain groups within the church were encountering individuals who advocated for new or existing Christians to adopt Jewish customs, laws, and traditions. Additionally, there were indications that Gnostic or mystery religions threatened the church by promoting asceticism. In response to these dangers, Paul emphatically warned the Colossian church to be vigilant and not be deceived or robbed of their reward.Paul's reasoning is that these things were only shadows that pointed to Christ, and now that Christ has come, the shadows are no longer necessary. Therefore, Christ’s Followers should focus on Christ, the substance of the shadows of the Jewish law. By focusing on Christ, those that follow Jesus can be liberated from the burdensome requirements of the Mosaic system and experience true freedom in their faith.
S1 · E29
Apr 10, 2023
9:30

27. Beyond Angels and Demons: The Spiritual Hierarchy in the Bible (Col 2:11–15) Part 5

Popular culture has a strong fascination with occult and spiritual entities such as angels and demons. I became aware of this a few years ago when I heard that some children in a nearby elementary school were claiming to have pet demons that would perform tasks for them.
S1 · E27
Apr 5, 2023
10:40

25. Believing in the Resurrection: Why It Matters - Col 2:11–15 Part 3

In Colossians 2:11-14, the apostle Paul teaches that baptism represents the spiritual truth of being transformed into new beings in Christ. He emphasizes that without this revelation received by faith, we are merely religious and wet. This transformation into new beings in Christ is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus, which is the core belief of the Christian faith.
S1 · E25
Apr 3, 2023
8:44

26. The Burden of the Law: How Christ Set Us Free Col. 2:11-15 - Part 4

This verse highlights that our natural inclination to resist laws is not limited to traffic signals or other man-made regulations. It is a deeper issue that is tied to our sin nature. Our disobedience and rebellion against God's law separate us from Him, but that separation is removed through Christ. He has paid the penalty for our sins and set us free from the law’s condemnation. This doesn't mean we should continue to disobey God's law, but rather that we are no longer bound by it. Instead, we are free to obey Him out of love and gratitude for what He has done for us.
S1 · E24
Apr 4, 2023
9:26

24. The Significance of Christian Baptism: Explained - Col 2:11–15 Part 2

Baptism is an essential sacrament in the Christian faith, symbolizing a believer's connection with Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It represents a spiritual reality where believers are set free from their sins and empowered to live according to God's will through the Holy Spirit. The Gospel message of Christianity challenges human pride by emphasizing our complete reliance on God's grace for salvation. The death of Jesus Christ provided a way for us to be reconciled to God, satisfying His justice and making propitiation for our sins. It is a powerful reminder of our need for redemption and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.
S1 · E24
Apr 2, 2023
14:21

23. The Spiritual Meaning of Circumcision: Cutting Away the Heart (Col. 2:11-15) Part 1

In this context, Paul is using the metaphor of circumcision to illustrate the spiritual reality of the believers' union with Christ.Paul says that through faith in Christ, believers have put off the old nature, the "body of the flesh," and have been made new. This new identity is marked by the removal of the "foreskin" of the heart, a metaphorical expression for the cutting away of sin and the self-centred nature.
S1 · E23
Mar 30, 2023
12:27
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