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

Today we discuss the Ten Commandments. What does it actually mean to take the Lord's name in vain? And, what name is meant - what is God's name? Also - what do we learn about the character of God in the Ten Commandments?

Today we see an incredible episode in which townspeople initially want to sacrifice and honor Paul and Barnabas as gods and heroes, and just a short while later - they try to murder Paul. Humans are fickle and, as Paul teaches the church - trials are necessary to grow in Christ.

You are on trial, and the prosecutor, who has truckloads of evidence against you, needs only prove that you have done one single solitary wrong act in the entirety of your life to find you guilty. Every human would be found guilty in such a court, but a verdict of 'Not guilty' can be given to some - not because they haven't sinned, but because 0f what, or rather whom, they believe in. How can this be?

Personal angels, guardian angels - lots of people have opinions about angels and what they do, but what does the Bible teach? Is it possible that each human, or each Christian actually has an angel assigned to them? Also: Charles Spurgeon on guardian angels. (He's a believer in them!)

Something remarkable happened in the early city of Antioch. A few Jewish Christians began to share the gospel not just with other Jewish people, but also gentile pagans and non-believers...and God saved many of those, leading to the birth of the most important church in history!

In Acts 10, Peter is summoned to speak at the house of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. At the house, Peter gives a splending and concise proclamation of the message about Jesus, and the Holy Spirit falls on those listening. Today we discuss Peter's brilliant (and short!) summary of the good news, and what we can learn from it in communicating with skeptics, critics, agnostics and unbelievers.

Today we explore the surprising and sobering dangers of grumbling and complaining, and hear encouragements from Paul and James in the Word of God (and Charles Spurgeon) that will help lead our hearts way from belly-aching.

Today we look at the leadership methods of Moses - how he led a complaining and panicky bunch of whining Israelites and pointed them to God's rescue.

Did the evil Saul have his name changed by Jesus to become Saint Paul? Actually...no - that didn't happen at all. Also - what can we learn from Barnabas - a man of great encouragement?

Today we read about a great conversation between the deacon Philip and a Ethiopian official in the queen's court. Philip engages this man with a friendly question, and this has a discussion with him about a Bible passage, that leads to a discussion about Jesus, that ultimately leads to the Ethiopian official getting saved, and sharing the gospel with an entire people group. What did Philip do in that conversation that we can learn from?

Stephen the deacon was the first recorded martyr in the history of the church. He was killed by men who were enraged that he spoke truth to them. It was murder - plain and simple, but rather than cry out for justice and punishment as he was dying, Stephen prayed for mercy and forgiveness. Why? Is there more power in forgiveness than anger?

Today we discuss the passover and the destruction that came along with it. Were the people of Israel saved by their character, or money, or looks or fame? Actually, no - they were saved by blood. How?

God has His own personal, name, and He gives it to Moses in chapter 3 of Exodus, appearing out of a burning bush. God's name is quite mysterious though - what does it mean, and what does it tell us about the nature of God?

The first internal controversy to hit the early church is recorded in Acts 6 - there is tension between the Hebrew and Greek widows over the amount of ministry and help they were receiving. The apostles solved this problem with the appointment of deacons - serving ministers. Bonus discussion: Did one of the early deacons go rogue and become a heretic??

In Acts 5, we see the disciples blatantly disregard the orders of the ruling authorities to not preach about Jesus. Other New Testament Scripture, however, tells Christians that they must obey the ruling authorities - how can Christians navigate this issue? Is there a time for civil disobedience?

In Acts 4, the early church sees its leaders arrested and threatened for preaching that Jesus rose from the dead. How do they respond to this? Intense prayer, that leads to amazing boldness and a strengthening of their proclamation of Jesus - which also includes the audacious claim that Jesus is the single ONLY way to be saved. How can this be?

Today we read Acts 3 and consider the behavior of Peter and John after a man is miraculously healed. They deflect attention from themselves and send it towards Jesus, proclaiming the good news. How can we tell the difference between genuine ministers of Jesus and fakes?

Today we read Acts 2, see the birth of the church, and think about what early church gatherings must have been like. We will also hear an extended description of an early church gathering from Justin Martyr, who lived from 100-165, and he describes a normal Sunday morning gathering in church roughly 100 years after the resurrection of Jesus.

Today we discuss how the disciples made a big decision after Jesus ascended into Heaven - they prayed and cast lots. Should Christians today still cast lots? We also talk about the beginning of the spread of the good news across the Roman Empire, and how such a spread must have been supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Two quick topics for today. First: The Longer ending of Mark. Was there part of the original Gospel of Mark that was lost? Also - were the ancients gullible about things like the resurrection from the dead?

God miraculously provided a child named Isaac to the aged couple Abraham and Sarah, but in our Genesis 22 passage that we'll read today, we discover that God calls Abraham to sacrifice that child of the promise. Even though God intervened and prevented it from happening, why would God do such a thing in the first place?!

Today we discuss the wonderful truth that Abram/Abraham believed God and was considered righteous by God because of His faith - not because of His works. This great truth is the wonderful foundation of the New Testament good news of salvation by grace through faith, and not by works. Featuring some encouraging wisdom from Charles Spurgeon.

Today we are reading Mark 15, and considering the beautiful injustice of the crucifixion of Jesus. It was not fair that He - completely innocent - died a terrible death, but it is that death that saves us from suffering the same penalty. Why did God Abandon Jesus? We close with some reflections from pastor Tim Keller, answering that question.

Is it possible to love Jesus TOO much? Of course it's not...but, those who live a life of extravagant devotion to Jesus should not be surprised if such a focus leads to criticism...even criticism by other Christians.

Today we discuss what Jesus says are the signs - or indicators - that His return is imminent. We also discuss how He tells us to live in light of His return, and get some wisdom from Charles Spurgeon on being alert and watchful

Today we discuss the conservative and liberal parties in Jesus' day - which side was He on? More importantly, we focus in on the Greatest and 2nd Greatest commandment, and hear some wisdom on those from pastor John Piper.

In today's reading in Mark 11, we consider why Jesus cursed a fig tree - odd for a variety of reasons, especially considering it was apparently out of season. More importantly, we learn two powerful keys to prayer from Jesus, and also hear about forgiveness from John Newton.

Our focus today is on the call of Abram - why did God choose this man who would try to pass of his wife as his sister? We will also discuss how foolish white supremacy is in light of the ethnic origins of Jesus and Abram.

Visit www.Bible2021.com

Today we discuss what would seem to be an oxymoron - the spiritual danger of wealth and privilege. Why does Jesus say it is hard for rich people to enter Heaven, and is it possible to be a Godly person of wealth?

Today we will hear about Jesus casting a demon out of a boy, after His disciples failed in that same task. Later, they ask Him why they failed, and Jesus gives them the key to persistent spiritual victory. What is it? Features some wisdom from spiritual giant Charles Spurgeon.

Today we learn that 'Christ' wasn't the last name of Jesus, but a title that means, "Messiah." What does it mean that Jesus was the Messiah - the chosen/anointed one of God?

Most humans are very concerned with appearance - what we look like, what people think about us, what they say when we aren't around...that sort of thing. It turns out that God isn't that way at all, and Jesus warns us strongly to not be a people who merely give lip service to God. Today we get wisdom on that from Jesus in Mark 7 and also John "Amazing Grace" Newton.

Today we read Mark 7, and discuss the humanity and deity of Jesus, and how the disciples could not see who Jesus was early on because of the hardness of their hearts. Are we also hard-hearted, or walking in faith? We also hear some words of encouragement from pastor Tony Evans.

Today we discuss the literally worst thing that has ever happened in recorded history - and how God inserted a lovely bit of good news into the midst of this horrible news. We will hear from Jonathan Edwards, John Newton, and John Piper today as well, discussing the Fall of Man.

Today we are reading Genesis 1 and discussing the many important truths that come out of the fact that humans are made in the Image of God. We also receive some wisdom from John Piper as to how we should treat each other, given that we are made in God's Image.

Today we discuss the curious incident between Jesus and the superhumanly powerful Gerasene demoniac. Why do so many pigs have to die in this amazing encounter? We also hear some wisdom from Tim Keller on this question.

Today we are discussing how to hear the Word of God fruitfully and effectively, and our guest spiritual giant is Charles Spurgeon.

Today we discuss the possibility of being angry and not sinning, and the fact that Jesus got angry more than once. What could possibly cause one so gentle as Jesus to become angry?

Today we read Mark 2, and discuss the amazing incident where Jesus first forgives a desperately ill man, rather than healing him first. Why would Jesus do such an audacious thing?

NEW Podcast - Bible 2021, Ten minutes of truth a day. We will dive into a chapter a day of God's Word, read it together, hear some wisdom from past and present spiritual giants and learn more about the Bible. Join us for a great year in the Word!

Today we finish reading through the Bible for 2020, which brings up an important question: How does the Bible end? As we look at Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, we see 5 important parts of the ending of the Bible, including: Hope, division, warning, reward and return! Join us as we discuss the end of the Bible, and prepare for Bible2021!

Two main topics today: Why was the Bible written (and can people get saved by Jesus simply through reading the Bible?) + Who is the bride of Christ, according to Revelation 21 - the answer might surprise you!

Popular culture depicts Satan as a happy inhabitant and ruler of Hell, with his job being the torment of bad humans who have been sent there. Is that true at all? Also: Did the Romans take Jesus' life on Good Friday?

When Jesus first came to the earth, He was born in humble circumstances, and lived a life of meekness and humility, riding on a humble donkey into Jerusalem before He was killed. Will His Second Coming be like this? Surprisingly, No!

John 17 features the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in the Bible. In that prayer, Jesus prays that His followers would enjoy the same kind of unity with each other that Jesus enjoys with His Father. He also prays for God the Father to protect the followers of Jesus by "His name." What does it mean for God to protect us by His name?

Two topics today: #1 - How the reliability of the Bible is demonstrated in the skeptical response of the disciples to Jesus. Also: How can we have the peace that Jesus promises us in John 16:33?

In John 15, Jesus tells His disciples if they do this one thing, they will be very fruitful in their lives, but if they don't, they will be unable to do ANYTHING. Also: Ten Christmas myths busted by the Bible. (Jesus was not born in an Inn!)

Many are offended at the idea that one religion has the corner on truth, salvation, or the afterlife. Claims of exclusivity can seem prideful and arrogant, and yet Jesus unquestionably claimed that He was the ONLY way to Heaven. What are the implications of this radical claim?

144,000 is a number with special significance to many sects and cults and offshoots of Christianity. Does the Bible teach, as Jehovah's Witnesses claim, that only 144,000 people will go to Heaven with Jesus? (No!) Also: Why was Jesus' command to His disciples to love each other a new command?