How in the world could the early church's greatest persecutor ever become her greatest preacher? Only by the grace of God. Join Jonathan and guest Bob Loudermilk talk about one of the most cherished conversion stories of all time.

Hate is such a strong word. Yet there are certain things that God hates! How can we reconcile a loving God who hates? Join father and son (Doug and Jonathan) as they consider Proverbs 6:16-19.

​Murmuring can seem like such an insignificant activity, but it is a dripping water that can slowly break down rock solid faith.  Join Jonathan and guest Justin Owen discuss the murmuring of the Israelites wandering int he wilderness, and how we can avoid their same troubles today.

Have you ever heard of the Biblical concept of "providence"? And if you have, is the Pharaoh's daughter the first person to come to your mind when you think of it? Join Brett Hickey (www.letthebiblespeak.com) and Jonathan Edwards discuss how providence works and how this ancient princess shows the power of God's providence.

What does it mean to live with dignity? Or to die with dignity? Join Greg Gay and Jonathan Edwards discuss the concept of dignity (and false dignity), as well as how Christians can grow old and face death with the dignity that is found in Christ. 

Show Notes:

*The following are a collection of New Testament Scriptures that show the NT teaching about music:
1. Singing has been authorized in our mouths and hearts – Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16
2. We are to sing in the assembly – Hebrews 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14:26
3. Worship is universal, meaning all humans are capable of worship. Instruments would have to be universally used if acceptable. – 1 Corinthians 14:26
4. Singing (praising God) is the fruit of our lips – Hebrews 13:15
5. We worship in spirit and truth when we sing internally and externally – 1 Corinthians 13:1, 14:15-16
6. God controls worship. He retains exclusive rights, right down to our thoughts – 1 Corinthians 11:23, 14:15

**The following are arguments made by advocates for musical instruments. How would you answer these?

A1 – Christians who use instruments are more faithful to Christ’s mission and less guilty “making it more difficult than necessary” to draw sinners to Christ
A2 – God commanded and blessed instruments. There is not a hint that God is anything but pleased with instruments!
A3 – Opposers of Instruments in worship have been dividing the assembly for years!
A4 – Jesus didn’t address instruments
A5 – Instruments are a non-issue in the book of Acts
A6 – There are instruments in heaven.
A7 – There is no authority for congregational singing in the New Testament, only to sing.
A8 – God is the Giver of gifts. Why would God give gifts and people not be able to use them to praise Him?
A9 – The Psallo argument: psallo means “to pluck” in the Septuagint. The Bible was the Septuagint during the first century, so Christians knew it meant “to play or pluck.” Since Ephesians 5:19 says “pluck” and hymns, which were songs with instruments, we are then commanded to play instruments.
A10 – The musical instrument is an expedient meant to assist in the command of singing. It is no different than song books, musical notes, tuning fork, etc.

All Christians believe in immortality but how will we exist? Will we transition to an invisible, spirit world or will we possess a body and if the latter, what kind of body? The same body? Believers have grappled with these questions through the ages. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul argues that if Jesus could rise again, which they believed, why can’t we? If there is no resurrection, then Jesus was not raised, and gospel is a lie. Paul shows that the resurrection of the dead is not only possible it a promised certainty. Join guest Kevin Presley and Jonathan Edwards discuss the bodily resurrection in "From Dust to Glory."

​When Peter denied Jesus three times, he went out and wept bitterly. After Jesus resurrection, He asked Peter a simple question three times: "Do you love me more than these?" Could there be more to this than a simple question? Join Jonathan and guest Haden Ayers talk about John 21, and the simple question with a profound message.

As members of the body of Christ, we have an eternal reward of salvation waiting for us, but in our anticipation of it, there is a task of high demand: holiness. Join Noah and Jonathan as they discuss what holiness is and what it is not (a "holier than thou" attitude). Additionally, they'll talk about the opposite of holiness (sin) and the mechanics of holiness (the how and the why).

     When a Christian shares the gospel with others, the Biblical pattern to become a Christian is completed with baptism in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 3:21). There are some who question the necessity of baptism. When pressed about the Biblical necessity to being baptized, some often turn to the thief on the cross.
     The common argument is that the thief on the cross did not have to be baptized. If he didn’t have to be baptized, then why do we? If one person can be in Paradise without baptism, are those who preach baptism as necessary making the gospel “too difficult” for others to follow? This podcast episode offers three Biblical points to help clarify the narrative of the thief on the cross, his crucifixion conversion, and the gospel pattern of salvation.