Category: Essential Bible Studies Podcast

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The Ancient Serpent

In the book of Revelation chapter 12:9, the great red dragon, the ancient serpent is called the devil and Satan. Stephen and Tim seek to understand what this means by studying the symbology of a serpent in the Bible. Join us as we go from Genesis to Revelation discovering the keys to understanding more about this difficult passage.

For more background, listen to episode 43 on The Curse of the Serpent.

Key Verse:

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:9

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. Reading Rev. 12 and symbology
    2. Did the Satan become or serpent or did the serpent become a Satan?
  2. Incidents involving serpents
    1. The crafty serpent (Gen. 3:1) that the Lord God made
    2. Key words in the curse on the serpent (Gen. 3:13-15) – Lies, eat the dust, crush the head, treading under foot
    3. Moses’ rod turning into a serpent (Exodus 4:1-9) represents Pharoah and Egypt (Ezek. 29:3)
    4. Fiery serpents in the wilderness (Num. 21:5-9)
      1. How were people saved?
      2. Why a serpent on a pole? Brass a symbol of sin.
      3. Jesus relates it to the cross (John 3:14)
  3. The Serpent Symbol
    1. The serpent symbol in relation to men (Deut. 32:32-33; Job 20:12-16; 58:3-5; Psa. 140:1-3; Isa. 59:4-5; Rom. 3:10-13; James 3:7-8)
    2. The seed of the serpent (Matt. 3:7; 12:34; 23:33)
  4. The Serpent Subdued
    1. Kingdom pictures (Isa. 11:8; 65:25)
    2. Bible echoes (Psa. 72:9; Isa. 49:23; Micah 7:16-20)
  5. Conclusion

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The Devil Destroyed

Having completed our study on the word Satan, Tim and Darryl continue by discussing how the term “devil” as used in Scripture. One of the most fascinating passages talks about how Jesus destroyed the devil. Listen in as several Bible passages weave together to complete the connection between the devil and sin which Jesus overcame in his death and resurrection.

Key Verse:

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb. 2:14)

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. The word “devil” defined
    2. Where the word is translated (1 Tim. 3:11,6-7; 2 Tim. 3:3; Titus 2:3) or not (John 6:70)
  2. Key verse Heb. 2:14
    1. Reading Heb. 2:14 in context and bringing out the details
    2. What did Jesus accomplish in his death (Heb. 9:28)
    3. Comparing with 1 John 3:5,8 where “take away our sins” = “destroy the works of the devil”
    4. Is sin personified as the devil in Heb. 2:14?
  3. Personification in Romans 5-8
    1. Destroyed the body of sin (Rom. 6:6) so that we might be free from bondage (Rom. 6:8 cp. Heb. 2:15)
    2. Personification of sin reigning in Rom. 6:12-22
    3. Sin has the power of death (Rom. 6:23)
  4. Personification in 1 Cor. 15
    1. Death by man (1 Cor. 15:21-22)
    2. Death destroyed (1 Cor. 15:24-28)
    3. The power of sin (1 Cor. 15:55-57)
  5. Conclusion

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Job, Satan and the Sons of God

Last week, we saw that many of the passages that use the word “satan” refer to human beings as adversaries. Is Satan in the book of Job another instance of this? Many people conclude that Satan is an angel? We are very pleased to have Dev Ramcharan with us to help identify the adversary of Job. Listen in and weigh the evidence for yourself.

Key Verse:

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6)

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. Review of last podcast on Satan
    2. Background of Job
  2. Who are the sons of God?
    1. Humans in 1 John 3:1; John 1:12; Deut. 14:1
    2. What about angels in Job 38:7?
    3. Who are the sons of God in Genesis 6:4
  3. Is this in heaven or on earth?
    1. The word “heaven” is not used
    2. “Present themselves before the Lord” (Josh 24:1; 1 Sam. 10:19; Judges 20:2; Deut. 31:14)
  4. Who is the Satan?
    1. Is Satan a name?
    2. The discourse of God and Satan and what he’s allowed to do (1:12-19; 2:3)
    3. Job attributed the evil to God (1:21; 2:10; 19:21; 42:11)
  5. Conclusion

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Satan the Adversary

Our study of Satan begins as a word study. Join Jacob and Tim in this lively conversation as they find out the definition of the Hebrew word “satan” and some surprising ways it is translated. By the end, there is a good foundation for carefully considering the context in which Satan is mentioned and who or what it could be. You’ll never look at this word Satan the same way again.

Reference Material:

The Englishman’s Concordance listing mentioned in the podcast providing every occurrence of the word satan and diabolos can be download from these links for Hebrew and Greek.

Key Verse:

“And Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But [Jesus] turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matt. 16:22-23)

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. Review of concordances
    2. The word “satan” and its definition
    3. The need to study this word systematically and carefully
  2. Satan in the OT
    1. Num. 22:22,32 – The first occurrence that of the angel of Yahweh
    2. The next six occurrences are all human (1 Sam. 29:4; 2 Sam. 19:22; 1 Kings 5:4; 11:14,23,25).
    3. Psalms examples (Psa. 109:6 individual; Psa. 38:20 group)
    4. The curious case of comparing 1 Chr. 21:1 with 2 Sam. 24:1
    5. Deferring for another episode Job and Zech 3:1-2
  3. Satan in the NT (Examples of the same)
    1. Individuals who set their minds on the things of men in opposition to God
      1. Matt. 16:21-23 – Peter “set his mind” (ESV)
      2. Acts 5:1-5 – Annanias and Sapphira contrived in their hearts
    2. Collectively those opposed to the truth
      1. 1 Thess. 2:14-18, the satan of v. 18 defined in v. 14-16
      2. Rev. 2:9-10,13 (cp. 3:9) – The opposition of Jewish and Roman authorities
      3. Rev. 20:2,7 Understanding the Satan as the kingdoms of men in opposition to God’s kingdom (Rev. 11:15)
  4. Conclusion

 

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The Origins of Evil

In this episode Wayne and Tim dive into the perplexing question of the source of evil. What does the Bible tell us about its origins? Does it come from angels, men and/or God? The answers uncovered in scriptural examples challenge the conventional understanding of good versus evil. Join in the conversation as we establish an important foundation for our future studies concerning Satan, the Devil and Demons.

Key Verse:

“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”  (Isaiah 45:7)

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. Definition and Types of Evil – Moral and Natural (Jer. 26:3)
    2. What is the cause? An angel, men or God?
  2. God
    1. God a source of natural evil (Isa. 45:5-7; Deut. 32:39; Job 2:10; 42:11). The false notion of God is good, Satan is evil.
    2. God the only source of power (Psa. 62:11; Lam. 3:37-38; John 19:10-11; Rom. 13:1)
    3. Only one God (John 17:3; Isa. 43:10-11; 44:8; 1 Thess. 1:9)
  3. Mankind
    1. The source of moral evil. Where does temptation come from (James 1:13-16; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 7:18-21; Ecc. 9:3)
    2. Man’s freewill, the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:16-17)
    3. The natural state of the hearts of men (Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9-10)
  4. Angels
    1. God is in control of the angels (Dan. 4:35; Psa. 103:20-21; Heb. 1:13-14).
    2. They do his will whether it be good or natural evil (Psa. 78:49; 1 Sam. 24:15-17; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Judges 9:23; 1 Sam. 16:14)
    3. Reading a quote that raises deeper questions. Can angels be a source of moral evil? Do angels have free will? Are they tempted like men?
  5. Conclusion – Future episodes covering this topic

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The Apostasy

Tim and Jay follow up on a question from last season about the church and the holy spirit gifts. The answer leads on a fascinating study of the prophecies concerning a falling away from Apostolic teaching. Prophecies that surprisingly came to pass in the Apostle’s day and are still with us.

Key Verse:

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. Review of “perfect” (1 Cor. 13:8-10; Eph. 4:13-14) in the Ages of the Spirit episode and the question
    2. The body of Christ vs the Apostasy
      1. Define Apostasy
      2. The Lord knows who are his (2 Tim. 2:19)
  2. Apostasy Foretold
    1. Acts 20:28-32 (ref. Matt. 7:15-20)
      1. From without and within
      2. The warning to be alert (Rom. 16:17-19)
    2. Signs of the Apostasy
      1. 1 Tim. 4:1-3 – Doctrines of demons, forbidding to marry, abstinence from foods
      2. 2 Tim. 4:2-4 – Wander into myths
      3. 2 Pet. 2:1-3 – Emphasis on greed and sensuality
  3. Apostasy Started
    1. Jude 1:3-4 – Fulfillment of 2 Peter passage
    2. 1 John 2:18-19 – The beginning of the antichrist
    3. 1 John 4:1-6 – Testing the spirits of truth and error
    4. 2 Thess. 2:1-12
      1. The rebellion comes first and was already at work
      2. Would last to the coming of Christ
  4. Conclusion

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Rightly Handling the Word of Truth

For the kick off of Season 7, we are very pleased to have Jason Hensley joining us. Jason shares the awkward moment that challenged how he read the Bible. This drove him to write a book called “The Bible in Context“. We review the important points of his book and undergo some paradigm shifts along the way. The result is a whole new way of reading the Bible in context.

Key Verse:

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)

Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Determining Intent
    1. The challenges of interpreting the Bible
    2. The importance of context and the author’s intent (2 Peter 3:15-16 cp. 2 Tim. 2:15) and God’s intent
    3. Recognizing bias and the importance of learning in a community
  3. Historical Content
    1. Cultural, contemporary, geographical
    2. Example of Psa. 121:1
    3. Determining historical context
  4. Literary Content
    1. The immediate verses (Example of Lucifer Isa. 14:12)
    2. Context of a book
  5. The Biblical Content and Divine Intent
    1. Example of demons
    2. Meaning beyond the author (1 Peter1:11)
  6. Principles and Applications
    1. Study and application
    2. Principles defined
    3. Example of Satan vs God’s Sovereignty
  7. Conclusion

Jason Hensley links

Webpage: https://www.jasonhensley.net/

Get the book on Amazon: The Bible in Context

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Testimony and Reflections Season 6

Jesse grew up in a Pentecostal church but later in his teens started to drift away with the prospects of a career in hockey. One simple conversation became the catalyst for him to consider his life’s path and begin a journey to discover the truth of God’s word.

Key Verse:

“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:11-13)

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The Laying on of Hands

This may seem like a strange topic for an essential Bible study, but hopefully everything will become clear as we dig into the Scriptures.

Key Verse:

Hebrews 6:1-2  “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”

Outline:

  1. Introduction
    1. Why would we consider this as an essential study? From our first podcast “Defining Essential Bible Studies” and Hebrews 6:2
    2. Letting the Bible leads us in our studies
  2. Four aspects to laying on of hands
    1. Blessing
      1. the first instance with Jacob and his grandsons (Gen. 48:14)
      2. Jesus on the children (Matt. 19:13-15)
    2. Sacrifice and association
      1. The day of atonement (Lev. 16:21)
      2. The people and the Levites (Num. 8:10,12)
    3. Commissioning
      1. Moses to Joshua (Num. 27:18,23; Deut. 34:9)
      2. The Apostles on Stephen (Acts 6:6)
      3. The Antioch Ecclesia on Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:3)
    4. Healing and miraculous Holy Spirit gifts
      1. Healing by Jesus (Luke 4:40) and the Apostles (Acts 28:8)
      2. Transfer of the Holy Spirit gifts by Apostles (Acts 8:17-19; 19:6)
      3. Timothy (1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6)
  3. Which one is Heb. 6:2 referring to?
  4. The purpose of the Holy Spirit gifts
  5. Conclusion