Discerning the Truth

The Genomenos of Jesus the Son

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:02:02 -0600

Hebrews speaks frequently of Jesus’ having become what He was not before without ceasing to be what He was before. There is a progression in the person and ministry of Jesus as He, being God, fully embraces humanity to become our high priest. We can never truly understand a mystery so great as the ‘perfection’ of Christ, but we can recognize the mystery with reverence, and worship Him.

Justin Martyr and Early Christian Apologetics

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 19:00:19 -0600

This lesson looks at the life and writings of Justin Martyr, one of the most important early Christian apologists and theologians. After looking at defenses of the faith within Scripture, we show how Justin Martyr defended the faith. One of the important differences between our time and his was his ability to point to the holy lives of Christians as evidence of the genuineness of Christianity. He also illustrates how attempts to harmonize Christian thought with non-Christian thought and philosophy can at times lead to puzzling conclusions and the distortion of Christian doctrines.

The Benediction

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:56:37 -0600

Traditionally, Christian worship concludes with the ‘benediction.’ Based on the Latin word benedicto, which means ‘blessing,’ the benediction is a pronouncement of blessing upon God’s people. But do we really understand the importance and significance of the benediction in public worship? In this session we will examine the precedent for the benediction and the presence of the benediction in New Testament worship.

Pressing on to Perfection – Part 6

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:01:09 -0600

Again the author of Hebrews diverges from his main topic in order to exhort his readers. As Jesus was “perfected” because He “learned obedience” (5:7-10), so must we also hear and obey if we would “go on to perfection” (6:1). Disobedience breeds spiritual immaturity and immaturity breeds apostasy; but our perfection rests in the promise of God through Christ, our High Priest.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:53:39 -0600

This is a short history of Polycarp's last days, his testimony, and his martyrdom. The lesson also includes implications for modern day Christians.

The Epistle to Diognetus and the Doctrine of the Atonement

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 18:50:00 -0600

The anonymous Epistle to Diognetus is an early Christian writing that may be classified as an apology or defense of the faith. In it, we see how early Christians defended the faith in the face of opposition. Of particular benefit to us is the epistle's articulation of the doctrine of the vicarious atonement of Christ. This lesson discusses these things and also explores the New Testament's teaching on the atonement, as well as other extra-Biblical Christian statements articulating this doctrine.

Pressing on to Perfection – Part 5

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 03:45:26 -0600

Pressing on to Perfection – Part 4

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:09:24 -0600

The Preaching of the Word and Its Place in Christian Worship – Part 2

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:05:49 -0600

Preaching has fallen on hard times, no longer valued in the Christian church the way it once was. Preaching has been replaced or marginalized by other means of communication. Or it has been augmented with other attractions because it is deemed too weak to stand on its own merits. Nevertheless, the preaching of the Word of God is ordained by the Lord for His church, and the Lord still blesses what He has ordained. It is not up to us to decide what is 'effective' or 'relevant'; the church has been commissioned by the Lord to "Preach the Word" (2 Tim. 4:1-5). In these two sessions, we will look at the preaching of the Word as a vital component for Christian worship, demonstrating that preaching is indispensable for the New Testament church. We will focus on three main areas: the precedent for preaching, the activity of preaching itself, and the necessity of preaching in Christian worship.

Barnabas and Early Christian Interpretation

podcast@bethanybiblechurch.net (Bethany Bible Church) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 10:37:39 -0600

The Epistle of Barnabas contains some fanciful understandings of the Old Testament, but it provides a good opportunity to discuss talk about interpretation in the New Testament and early church.