The Berean Post Podcast

by Dwaine Senechal

Season 1

13. Is Jesus God? Unpacking the Controversial Debate - Col. 1:19

Is this true? Is Jesus God?As a Jehovah's Witness, I vividly remember going door-to-door with them and repeatedly hearing that Jesus never claimed to be God. Famously, Jehovah’s witnesses deny the doctrine of the Trinity, claiming that the doctrine of the Trinity is a result of pagan import of the Roman Catholic Church. Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that Jesus is inferior to God and that he had a beginning. But is that claim true?The doctrine of the United Pentecostal church may not be widely known to some readers. This group takes a different stance from historic Christianity regarding the doctrine of the Trinity by denying it altogether. However, they take an extreme position by asserting that Jesus is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In essence, they claim that Jesus is the name of God. This group is often known as oneness Pentecostals.Although both groups take the extreme view and deny the Trinity, both groups represent two different sides of a doctrine that the church condemned called Monarchianism, which seeks to defend the unity of God based on Scripture found in Deuteronomy “hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one Lord.”Both Extremes are rooted in false premises.Monarchianism is a doctrine that was condemned by the early Christian church in the second and third centuries. It denied the Trinity and sought to defend the unity of God by asserting that God is one person with one will, and that Jesus was not truly divine but merely a human being. The church condemned Monarchianism because it contradicted the orthodox understanding of the Trinity, which teaches that God exists as three persons in one Godhead.One form of Monarchianism was Sabellianism, which held that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were different modes or aspects of God's activity rather than distinct persons. Another form was called Adoptionism, which held that Jesus was merely a human being who was adopted by God and given special powers. Both forms of Monarchianism were deemed heretical by the church and were rejected as incompatible with the Christian faith.

S1 · E13

Mar 18, 2023

12:02

12. Not the Pastor, Not the Pope: Christ as the Ultimate Authority of the Church

To truly understand what it means for Christ to be the head of the church, it is essential first to understand what the church is, and this can be challenging for individuals looking for a church to attend. As the number of Christian denominations continues to grow, understanding what the church is and how it relates to Christ's headship becomes even more critical.As a new believer, you may wonder what signs to look for to indicate that a local church has Christ as its head, based on Colossians 1:18, which states, “He is the head of the body, the church." Here are a few indicators to consider:Emphasis on Biblical teaching: A church with Christ as its head will strongly emphasize the teaching of the Bible. This means that the sermons, small group discussions, and other forms of teaching will be centred on Scripture and its application to everyday life.Focus on prayer and worship: A church that recognizes Christ as its head will prioritize prayer and worship as integral parts of its communal life. The services and gatherings will provide ample opportunity for communal worship and prayer.Love and care for the community: A church with Christ as its head will show genuine love and care for its community inside and outside the church walls. This means that members will seek to serve and care for one another and those in the surrounding community through outreach, charity work, and other service forms.Emphasis on discipleship: A church that recognizes Christ as its head will prioritize the growth and development of its members as disciples of Jesus. This means there will be opportunities for spiritual growth, mentorship, and intentional discipleship relationships.Ultimately, the most critical sign of a church with Christ as its head is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. A church led by Christ will exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) in its communal life and relationships.

S1 · E12

Mar 17, 2023

10:49

11. The Divine Challenge: Why Jesus' Name is so Offensive to Modern Society Col. 1:15-18 Part 2

As a Christian, it is essential to understand and appreciate the supremacy of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:16-17 asserts that Christ is the creator of everything that exists, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. At the same time, this passage may be considered offensive by some who view it as exclusionary and dismissive of other belief systems. However, the question is not whether it offends but instead whether it is true.

S1 · E11

Mar 16, 2023

6:56

10. Meeting the Creator of the Universe: The Identity of Jesus Col. 1:15-18 part 1

This is a devotional podcast on the following verses: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col 1:15–18).

S1 · E10

Mar 15, 2023

9:18

9. Delivered from Darkness: The Power of Christ's Sacrifice Col 1:13–14 Part 2

Looking for spiritual growth and inspiration? Tune in to our podcast and discover the significance of Christ's deliverance from darkness. Our conversations will help you understand what it means to believe in Him and how to live in the freedom and power He has given us. Get ready for a journey of transformation and renewal! Check out the bereanpost.ca. Sign up to follow this devotional

S1 · E9

Mar 9, 2023

8:31

8. The Practice of Sacrifice: Understanding God's Unique Approach - Col 1:13 Part 1

I served as a pastor for a church on our town’s main street a few years back. I arrived early on a typical Sunday morning to prepare for the service. As I approached the building, I noticed a poster had been placed in the window. It depicted a picture of Jesus on the cross, with a caption that read, "without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness of sins." Initially, I couldn't help but chuckle and think, "Amen." However, as soon as I stepped inside, another thought crossed my mind. I wondered how this message would be received by someone unfamiliar with Christian teachings or who didn't attend church. It dawned on me that many things we say and discuss within Christian circles may sound confusing or nonsensical to those not part of our community. One such verse that has sparked debate and discussion among scholars and readers alike is Colossians 1:13-14, which speaks of being delivered from darkness and obtaining redemption through the shedding of blood. In this context, it's important to consider the historical and cultural context in which this verse was written.

S1 · E8

Mar 8, 2023

8:54

7. Strengthened by His Power: The Spiritual Man in Christ -Col 1:11

In the previous Berean Post devotional, the emphasis was on Colossians 1:9-10 where Paul expressed his prayer for the Colossian church. Paul prayed that they would be filled with knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual understanding, enabling them to live a life that pleases the Lord and produces good works. However, Paul's prayer did not end there. He further prayed that the Colossians would be strengthened with all might, according to God's glorious power. The latter part of this passage will be the focus of today's discussion.

S1 · E7

Mar 7, 2023

7:16

6. Unlocking the Mysteries of Spiritual Understanding: A Biblical Perspective - Col 1:9

Discover the importance of spiritual knowledge and its role in living a fulfilling life. Explore Paul's prayers for the Colossian church and his emphasis on seeking God's will through wisdom and understanding. Learn how spiritual knowledge differs from worldly wisdom and secret knowledge and how it is meant to be shared within a community of believers. Join us in exploring the significance of pursuing spiritual knowledge and growing our understanding of God's character and purposes.

S1 · E6

Mar 6, 2023

8:47

5. The Triumph of the Gospel: Why the Message of Jesus Will Always Prosper - Col. 1:3-8

The Gospel message is one of hope, love, and redemption. It tells us that no matter how lost we may feel, we can always turn to God and find our way back to Him. It reminds us that we are loved unconditionally and have a purpose and destiny greater than anything we could ever imagine. As we reflect on Colossians 1:3-8 and its powerful message, we are reminded of the importance of faith, love, and perseverance in the face of adversity. We are encouraged to continue to spread the Gospel message to those around us, and to live our lives in a way that reflects the love of Christ to all those we meet. Thank you for joining us today as we explored this powerful passage from the Bible. We hope you have gained new insights and inspiration for your spiritual journey, and we invite you to continue exploring the richness and depth of the Scriptures. Until next time, this has been Berean Podcast and we'll see you soon.

S1 · E5

Mar 5, 2023

12:08

4. Why Paul's Greetings Always Begin with 'Grace and Peace -Col. 1:1-2b

"Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." If you have been keeping up with this blog, you will be aware that we have previously established the historical context of the Colossian church to provide background for this letter. We also delved into the biblical definitions of an apostle and a saint. As we have learned, Paul begins his letter by affirming his authority to address Colossae’s church leaders and members, introducing himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. He then identifies the recipients of his letter as saints, individuals consecrated by God through their devotion to Jesus Christ and the purifying influence of the Holy Spirit. As saints, they are holy and set apart to exemplify God's love through their good deeds. But there’s more because Paul’s greeting also includes the phrase; Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

S1 · E4

Mar 4, 2023

8:11

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