BeachCast.TV: Bible Exploration, Apologetics and Church History with Dr. Chase A. Thompson:

Some friends of a blind man bring him to Jesus and ask Jesus to touch the man, assuming that the touch of Jesus will somehow heal their friend. Amazingly, Jesus does not comply with their request, but takes the man out of town and SPITS in his eye, which ultimately results in the man's complete healing. Great story - but WHY did Jesus SPIT in the man's eyes?

Guardian angels - heavenly protectors assigned by God to each one of His children. It's a romantic and comforting idea, but could it possibly be true? Today's passage in Acts 12 demonstrates that many people in the church believed in something like a guardian angel (though that term is never used in the Bible.) What did Jesus say about guardian angels?? Listen in to find out!

Some people have the false idea that a Christian is incapable of being depressed. This idea vanishes upon a close examination of Scripture and church history which shows that saints like King David, Paul the apostle, Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, Charles Spurgeon, Job, Hannah the intercessor and many others struggled with despair and depression. Can a Christian be depressed? Absolutely. Is there hope? Beyond a shadow of a doubt!

The Israelites are in big trouble. The nation of Midian - far larger and mightier - keeps invading and taking their food, burning their crops, and taking their cattle. Israel is powerless to resist them, so they turn from their idolatry and cry out to God for help. God raises up Gideon - the youngest man in the weakest family in Israel. Why?!

Human kingdoms come by force and power, human philosophies take hold by coercion, rhetoric, charisma and brilliance, but not so with the Word of God. The Gospel - the message by Jesus and about Jesus - does not come by coercion or force like a boulder or grenade, but it comes with transformative and organic power like a seed. How does the Word of God bring change, and why is that change more powerful than any sort of human change?

People often talk about Mighty MEN of God, but rarely discuss mighty WOMEN of God. When you look in the Bible, however, you see some wonderful examples of brave and bold women who were mighty in the Lord, and on today's podcast we discuss five of them: Jael, Deborah, Jehosheba, Ruth and The Syrophoenician woman.

A dramatic scene in Mark 2 - 4 friends of a very ill paralyzed man cut a hole in the roof and lower this man down in front of Jesus, hoping that the Master will heal their friend. Jesus, however, does something remarkable and surprising: He forgives the sins of he paralytic. Why does Jesus do this FIRST?

Jesus - on the most important mission in the history of missions - and able to heal and cure all who were hurt, sick or dying - had the habit of withdrawing to lonely/deserted places in order to pray and seek His Father. Did Jesus simply do this because He was introverted and needed a break, or is something deeper at work here?

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as we read the last chapter of Matthew. Most skeptics of Christianity believe that the resurrection of Jesus couldn't possibly have happened, because people don't just come back from the dead. A careful analysis of the historical record, however, shows that belief in the resurrection is both rational and reasonable and likely the best explanation for the spread of Christianity.

The government of the US and most nations are right now issuing many new and inconvenient and controversial laws and commands. Are Christians obligated to obey governing authorities and commands, or can they simply 'go with their conscience.' Are there any cases in Scripture where civil disobedience is allowed? What is a Christian to do when he or she is commanded to do something that makes them uncomfortable, or seems unfair?

When faced with a difficult decision, most Christians endeavor to 'hear from God' so that they can know which direction to go. While it is true that God sometimes spoke to His people in the Bible, it appears that He usually guided them in far more mundane and normal ways. Today we discuss how Christians should make decisions, and whether or not they need to 'hear from God' before deciding what to do.

Many Christians believe that the right way to make a decision is to pray until you "feel peace" about a certain direction. The net result is that some are led by their feelings. As we look at how people made decisions in the Bible, we find that they employed a vastly different decision making process than most Christians do today.

The traditional view of Christian decision-making basically boils down to attempting to discern God's secret will on a particular matter, and then going that direction. Is that the way that people in the Bible made decisions? Today we discuss decision making from a biblical context, and also whether or not it is a sin to cast lots, as the disciples did in Acts 1.

The Anakim and Rephaim are two mysterious foes of the Israelites mentioned in several books of the Old Testament. They were apparently extremely tall (possibly giants) and were also very fierce. Who were these strange people, and what association do they have with Goliath of Gath and the Nephilim?

Some translations Psalms 148 in the Bible indicate that 'dragons' or 'sea monsters' are worshipping God. Could such a thing be possible? Does the Bible genuinely teach that dragons and sea monsters are real creatures?!

Can you picture Jesus getting angry? There are a few episodes in Scripture where Jesus does indeed get angry (and He didn't sin when He was angry, see Ephesians 4:26) Perhaps the angriest that Jesus ever got was when merchants and moneychangers were turning His Father's house into a den of thieves and a marketplace. Why did this offend Jesus so much, and what application does it have for us today?

Jesus - the greatest to ever walk the earth...the most powerful...the richest...the most authoritative came to be a SERVANT. What a mind-boggling thought! Further, He tells His followers that being a servant is the ONLY way for them to be great. How does that work - how is serving others the only way to eternal greatness?

Many have attempted to explain Jesus' metaphor about the camel going through an eye of a needle and the impossibility of rich people getting saved. What did Jesus mean by this metaphor? Was there really a 'Needle' gate in Jerusalem that camels had to stoop down low to get through? Will NO rich person ever be saved?

Conflict is inevitable, even among Christians, because Christians are still sinners and haven't fully tamed their tongues. Jesus, however, mandates a particular process that Christians MUST follow when somebody has sinned against them - what is that divine process for handling conflict and making peace?

In Jeremiah 3, God condemns the pretense of the people of Judah. They pretended to be sorrowful for their sins, and pretended to want to follow God, but it was an all act - a grand display of outward religion, that was meaningless on the inside. Today we discuss what real repentance does - and does not - look like.

A most humorous moment happens in Matthew 16 when Jesus challenges His disciples to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees, and they assume that He is literally talking about bread. It turns out that Jesus was actually talking about the teaching the Pharisees, which raises our big question. What did the Pharisees teach, and what made it so bad?

Everybody knows that Jesus did not have a high view of the religious leaders of His day, as He was constantly challenging the Pharisees and Scribes about how they handled God's Word. Today's episode is a discussion of one of Jesus' strongest challenge to those leaders about how they elevated human traditions to the level of God's commands.

The last chapter in Isaiah reveals that there is a certain kind of person that God looks with favor on. It is not a confident person, nor a successful person, nor a courageous person, or a prideful person. Who does God bless and look favorably on? Also: What is the worst that death can do to a Christian?

Imagine the scene: The warriors of Israel are preparing for what is likely their biggest battle in the history of their country - the first major battle of the conquest of the Promised Land against the mighty and fortified city of Jericho. God instructs Joshua to have ALL of the soldiers of Israel CIRCUMCISED. BEFORE THE BATTLE! Why would God command such a seemingly preposterous thing?

How important is unity in the church? Jesus notes that a divided house can't possibly stand, calling His people to be united and avoid disunity. How can this happen? Also: Is Beelzebul that same entity as Satan?

Jesus was meek, humble and lowly upon His first visit to earth, but - as Isaiah 63 shows us - will return as a powerful and magnificent warrior. What will the return of Jesus look like, and how does 'vengeance is mine' work out?

Let's face it - snakes don't are not at all looked upon very highly in the Bible. From the Garden of Eden, to the Exodus wilderness, to the serpent's appearance in Revelation, snakes are associated with evil, lies, deception, venom, death and, of course, the devil himself. Why then does Jesus tell His followers to be as shrewd as SNAKES?!

Moses was one of the greatest leaders who ever lived, and therefore Joshua faced a daunting task when he was chosen to lead the Israelites following the death of Moses. Five times, God exhorts and urges Joshua to be 'strong and courageous.' That's easier said than done, right? Good news, however: God gives Joshua two keys - two foundations to stand on to help him be strong and courageous. What are they?

A most curious and perplexing incident happens in Matthew 8. Jesus is confronted by a supernaturally powerful demoniac, who is possessed by multiple demons. These demons immediately recognize Jesus, acknowledge His power, exhibit fear of Him, and BEG to be cast into a nearby herd of pigs, rather than be destroyed or exiled into the abyss. Astonishingly, Jesus COMPLIES...WHY?!

It's the most famous Bible verse in the world right now - "Judge not!" Everybody knows this passage, but not everybody understands what Jesus is forbidding here. What does it mean to judge somebody? Is it judgmental to call sinful behavior sinful? Is Jesus telling us all to simply mind out business - to live and let live? Let's dive into 'judging not!'

Is God impressed by religious activities like going to church, memorizing Bible verses, fasting, and doing good deeds? The answer might surprise you, because God, as we learn in Isaiah 58, isn't after hollow deeds and feats, but something much deeper.

Jesus identifies Himself as the light of the world multiple times in the Gospel of John, but then turns around and says that His people will be the light of the world during the Sermon on the Mount. What does this change mean, and how can Christians possible be the light of the world?

In Matthew 4, Jesus and Satan have a showdown, or duel, of sorts in the wilderness. Satan seeks to tempt Jesus, and one of the ways he does so is through twisting the Word of God. If he had the audacity to attempt such a thing against Jesus, the Word made Flesh, you know he will try to do it with followers of Jesus. So - how does Satan twist the Word? How does he tempt us to twist the Word?

Free Salvation of Jesus!

Should We Meditate?

A famous verse that is often shared on social media is Isaiah 53:5, "By His stripes, we are healed." Many Christians believe that this passage is a declaration that God will heal all physical maladies suffered by Christians. Is this how Isaiah 53:5 should be taken - or is there something deeper going on?

God is both just and merciful. Not 50% just and 50% merciful, but 100% of both. Does this mean that ALL humans will be saved? Actually, it doesn't. ALL are invited by Jesus to drink the water of life - FREE - but most will reject the offer, and they will be on the outside of Heaven/the City of God, according to the very last chapter of the Bible.

The Lamb's Book of Life is mentioned at least ten times in the Bible, and seems to be a book that was written before humans were created and contains the names of all of those who will inherit eternal life and be allowed into the City of God. Alarmingly, those who's names aren't written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire. What does the Bible tell us about the Lamb's Book of Life, and how can we possible be sure our names are in it?

Sermon Preached at Valley Baptist Church

Bible-believing Christians know that salvation is by grace through faith, and not by works, right? Revelation 20, however, notes that The Great White Throne Judgment is based on works, and there are other verses that teach this as well. How can salvation be by grace through faith, while judgment is all about works? Today we wrestle with faith and works with a little help from Pastor and author John Piper.

The first time Jesus came to earth - born in a manger, travelled with His disciples, rode on a donkey, allowed Himself to be crucified - He came meek, lowly and mild. He was never weak, but was incredibly gentle. Many are surprised to find that the return of Jesus will be anything but gentle!

The first time Jesus came to earth - born in a manger, travelled with His disciples, rode on a donkey, allowed Himself to be crucified - He came meek, lowly and mild. He was never weak, but was incredibly gentle. Many are surprised to find that the return of Jesus will be anything but gentle!

In Deuteronomy, it is said that the vilest murderers will be hung on a tree, and also that those who are hung on a tree are under God's curse. What does it mean to be under God's curse, and how did Jesus take the full brunt of that curse for us so that we don't have to?

Revelation 17 introduces readers to the 'whore of Babylon,' a wicked entity who rides on the back of the beast, causes Kings of the earth to commit immorality with her, and is drunk with the blood of the saints that she has killed. Who is the frightening entity, and what does the 'Babylon' in her title refer to?

Psalm 106 recounts how the people of Israel constantly rebelled against God by their sins, by their ignoring of His commands, by their worship and pursuit of other God, and even by their murder of their own children in sacrificing them to other gods. Yet this same Psalm also begins and ends proclaiming that 'the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.' How can God's love endure forever in the face of our constant sin?

All throughout the Bible, the people of God are reminded to REMEMBER all that God has done: His rescues, His mighty acts, His love, His judgments and His punishments. It would seem that this is one of the primary ways His people seek His face, according to Psalms 105, and is one of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit - to remind people to REMEMBER the Words of Jesus. Today, we discuss the importance of remembering what God has done in the past.

666 = This number, known even by those who aren't Christians, can be enough to send a chill down your spine. Most know that 666 is somehow associated with the antichrist or the beast, but don't exactly know how. On today's episode, we go in depth into the number 666 and also discuss the enigmatic 'mark of the beast.' What might it be, and how can one ensure that they don't get it?

The Antichrist and the two beasts of Revelation seem to form some sort of diabolical anti-God trio in the last days. We learn about the beast from today's focus chapter, Revelation 13, which is tightly connected to Daniel chapter 7. Who are the beasts of revelation? Are they people, kings, kingdoms, countries, or possibly even spiritual powers?

Revelation 12 contains one of the most chilling phrases in the Bible, "And there was war in Heaven." How could there be violence, problems and WAR in HEAVEN? When did this war happen? Who were the sides fighting? What were the results of this way? Today's pod discusses the war in Heaven and attempts to understand it biblically.

Revelation 11 introduces us to two enigmatic figures that the church has spent the last 1900 years trying to discover their identities. The two witnesses of revelation prophesy in sackcloth, can cause plagues, breath fire, and stop the rain. They preach about Jesus, apparently, but are killed by a beast that comes out of the abyss. Who are these mysterious witnesses? Are they people from the Old Testament returned to earth? The church? Two unknown prophets? We discuss this Bible mystery today.