Category: Apologetics

Contend and defend for the Christian faith.

Does God Ever Change His Mind?

Does God Ever Change His Mind?

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Does God ‘change’ His mind?

It seems unlikely. Why would a perfect, all knowing God change His mind? On the other hand, there are several verses that suggest He does. In Jonah 3, the Bible said God ‘relented’ from destroying Nineveh. In 1 Samuel, God himself said He ‘regretted’ making Saul king. If God doesn’t change His mind, then why do these verses make it sound like He does? Is there an answer?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) Is God’s nature subject to change, growth, or development?

2) Can God ever ‘regret’ His own choices, or ‘repent’ from His prior actions?

3) What is ‘anthropomorphic’ language? How does that term apply to this topic?

Site: www.r316.org

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Remnant: The Church In 2023

Remnant: The Church In 2023

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How big do you think the church really is?

It depends on how you define it.

In Matthew 7, Jesus warned that there were many professing believers who did not know Him. In Christ’s own day, there were hundreds of thousands of Israelites who claimed to know God, but who were in danger of severe judgment. The same may be true in our day (2023). The ‘true’ church may be a small fraction of what it appears. And historically, the Bible has two words to describe this group of believers: THE REMNANT.

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) How big is the church? What do the statistics and numbers tell us?

2) What is the difference between the ‘visible’ and ‘invisible’ churches?

3) Are we living in the days of a ‘remnant?’ How can we know?

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

 

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Cremation: What Does The Bible Say

Cremation: What Does The Bible Say

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Is cremation biblical?

In 1960, only 4% of Americans were cremated. As of 2023, that number is over 52%. Given the popularity of cremation, many Christians want to know if the Bible ever refers to it, and if there is any Biblical precedent for pursuing it. That will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) What does the Bible say about cremation? Does it accept the practice?

2) How were bodies dealt with in Biblical days, and is there a precedent for us?

3) Does any of this matter? Does the disposition of one’s physical body really matter in eternity?

Today’s episode ends with a listener question on the topic of ‘tattoos.’

 

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

 

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Depression: What Does The Bible Say

Depression: What Does The Bible Say

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Depression can be more than just ‘feeling sad.’

Yes, depression involves sadness. But clinical (or major) depression is not limited to a particular ‘mood’ or emotional state. Clinical depression is a persistent, recurring condition that may stem from our nature or physiology – and not just our circumstances. It can strike when things are going poorly, but it can also strike when they’re going well.

In today’s study, we’ll see what the Bible has to say about depression. Is there hope for the hurting?

Questions That We’ll Address:

1) How does a feeling of ‘sadness’ differ from ‘clinical depression?’

2) Did any of the men and women of the Bible suffer from depression? Who?

3) What encouragement does Christ offer for the depressed? What does He say?

 

Radio 3:16 Website: www.r316.org

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Matthew: The Calling Of The 12 Apostles

Matthew: The Calling Of The 12 Apostles

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Who were the 12 Apostles? Well, they weren’t the sort of men you would expect. They weren’t the sort of men that anyone would expect. Fishermen, a tax collector, a Judas – from an earthly perspective, this was a most unlikely bunch. And yet, Christ chose these men to be His friends and ambassadors. What can we learn from their service?

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is the difference between a ‘disciple’ and an ‘apostle?’

B) What warnings did Jesus give to His apostles about the world?

C) What unique responsibilities were the apostles given?

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Matthew: The Faith Of The Roman Centurion

Matthew: The Faith Of The Roman Centurion

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Pharisees hated Jesus. This Roman Centurion did not. Throughout the New Testament, the Pharisees antagonized our Savior. They accused and berated Him at every turn. Conversely, there were seven Roman Centurions in the New Testament – and each is portrayed in a more positive light. How can this be?

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus ‘marvel’ at the faith of the Centurion?

B) What stood out about the Centurion’s request?

C) What warning did Jesus give the Jews in Matthew 8?

 

Website: http://www.fpcgulfport.org

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Matthew: The Temptation Of Jesus Christ

Matthew: The Temptation Of Jesus Christ

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Does the devil think that he can win? In Matthew 4, Jesus is led out into the wilderness, where He was tempted for forty days by the devil. What did the devil think he was going to accomplish? And what was the Father’s purpose in allowing His Son to undergo this? Other Questions That We’ll Answer: A) What was the object of each of the three temptations? B) Why did Jesus refer to Scripture at each opportunity? C) How was Christ’s temptation related to Adam’s in Genesis 3? Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Matthew: The Baptism Of Jesus Christ

Matthew: The Baptism Of Jesus Christ

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If baptism is for SINNERS, then why was JESUS baptized?

In Matthew 3, Jesus asked John to baptize him. That blew John’s mind. And so, John told Him that it was the other way around – that Christ needed to baptize him! John knew that Jesus had no sins that He needed to repent of, and no need to be ‘washed clean.’ So why did Jesus insist on being baptized? That will be today’s focus.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What sort of baptism was John doing by the Jordan River?

B) Were John’s baptism the same as our modern baptisms?

B) Why did Jesus say His baptism would ‘fulfill all righteousness?’

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Matthew: Emmanuel (Which Means God With Us)

Matthew: Emmanuel (Which Means God With Us)

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The God who MADE YOU wants to be WITH YOU. Think on that.

The pagan gods didn’t work that way. These (false) deities kept the people at arm’s length. But our God wants to be close. He walked with Adam in the garden. He dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. He came to earth in the form of a babe. Our God is “Emmanuel” – He is “God With Us.” Join us for Part 2 of our study in the Book of Matthew.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is the difference between being ‘with’ or ‘for’ someone?

B) What did the Angel tell Joseph about Jesus?

C) What comfort do the Angel’s words have to the hurting?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

Church Website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Matthew: Introduction And Intertestamental Age

Matthew: Introduction And Intertestamental Age

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Who was Matthew? What is the Book of Matthew all about?

In Part 1 of our new study, we will introduce this Gospel and talk about the audience that it was originally written to – the Israelites. While Matthew contains truth and wisdom for all people, it was intended to explain the person and work of Jesus to Matthew’s Jewish contemporaries.In addition to introducing the Book of Matthew, we’ll also talk about the ‘intertestamental age’ that preceded its writing.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why was God ‘silent’ for over 400 years?

B) What differentiates Matthew from the other Gospel accounts?

C) Why are there two different genealogies (in Matthew and Luke)?

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby B. Holt

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