All throughout the Bible, there are warnings about and false teachers and the need to guard against them. These deceivers have persisted from time immemorial, leading people to hell by propagating lies masked as spiritual truth. False teachers will preach and teach from Bible, but their intentions aren't rooted in nurturing disciples, rescuing the lost, or honoring God. Their drive revolves around money, authority, reputation, and prominence.

False teachers aren't misguided or ignorant; They’re evil. They are spiritual pedophiles violating the children of God, driven by their own selfish desires and cravings.

Because false teachers have persisted throughout the Bible, God saw fit to raise individuals to stand against them. Particularly, in the New Testament, God used the Apostle Peter for this purpose. And just as a responsible parent warns their children about predators, Peter warned the church and offered strategies to defend against their influence—this is my focus today. How can you defend yourself from false teachers and destructive doctrines?

First, you must know your salvation. Secondly, you must know your scripture. Third, it's essential to know your enemy. Lastly, you must know your sanctification. If you arm yourself with these four key understandings, you'll remain steadfast and you can never be led astray.

Join me as we dig in to 2 Peter and learn how to defend ourselves from false teachers and destructive teachings.

Verses in this episode:

Galatians 1:6-10 | 2 Peter 1:1 | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | 2 Peter 1:2

Last episode, I began warning you of the result of spiritual defection. We went through some verses in Hebrews 10 that show us the call to salvation and what an amazing blessing it is when we accept that call. Salvation, though, must come with a disclaimer. Yes, the gospel brings salvation, and yes, it brings deliverance and healing, but if you defect from your obligations to it, you will be punished more severely than what is described in the Old Testament.

The call to draw near is an invitation that reverberates through the ages, offering salvation to every man woman, and child by God's unparalleled grace and through His grace alone. Hearing that call and accepting the invitation, while crucial, isn't what being a Christian is. It's the beginning of something so much better. One of the greatest lies ever told in Christianity is that salvation is as simple as saying "Jesus is Lord," and just like that, you're crowned worthy of His sacrifice. Those words mean nothing without a heart that burns with a genuine yearning to be close to God.

This is the call to action for this episode: Draw near if you’re not saved and continue to draw near if you are saved. Draw near with a sincere heart, a confident faith, a godly moral responsibility to the call. Submit to the lordship of Christ, allow Him to wash away your sins, and hold fast to this process knowing  this is an ongoing cycle of the Christian life. Seek out fellowship with other believers who also walk this out and urge one another on to good works.

Fellow believers are you holding fast your confession or have you forgotten that you have been enlightened? Examine yourself. Examine your heart. If you’re drawing near, continue. If you’re not, start.

Verses in this episode:

Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 10:26; Mark 4:15-20; Hebrews 10:37-38; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 10:28-31

Anyone who declares Jesus is their guiding light, their Lord, their Savior, but violates the covenant by continuing to live for themselves; that’s betrayal. That’s defection. It's not a casual turning away; it's a conscious and deliberate abandonment of all you've professed to hold dear. You’re renouncing your allegiance and forsaking the duty you once swore to uphold.

Why is this so important? Why do I feel it’s important to kick off this new season with this message? Because God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday today and forever. Modern-day American Christians, drunk on grace, falsely believe the unmerited favor of God pardons willful, continual sin and the consequences of such a lifestyle are covered by the blood of Christ. It does not. God's stance on defection, desertion, and violating your covenant with Him was documented over 3400 year ago and His judgment is death. And, church leaders, until we confront and address those who masquerade as Christians yet live a double life, we perpetuate a false reality of the Christian life. We can’t ignore the disconnect between words and actions. We must reclaim the name of Christian from those who tarnish it. Desertion, treason, and betrayal aren’t the marks of true faith. They’re not just unacceptable; they’re a slap in Jesus’ face as He hangs on the cross.

Through the blood of Christ, we have been qualified to receive salvation. If we live as qualified Christians, live worthy of the call to salvation, we have a boldness to come before God. We have a free and fearless confidence to draw near through Christ’s sacrifice.

Verses:

Deuteronomy 17:2-5; Hebrews 10:10-14; Luke 14:26-33; Ephesians 4:1; Hebrews 10:26-29; Hebrews 10:14-22

In this episode, we’re starting to look at the miracles of the Bible as a confirmation of the Bible’s authenticity. I don’t know about you, but if someone told me about a god but that god never manifested themself in a real and tangible way, I’d say that god was dead.

And that’s how we approach the miracles of the Bible. Our God is a living God. He interacts with His people and those interactions are documented in scripture. The first interaction between God and man was Creation, and that’s the miracle I focus on in today’s episode.

I hope it causes you to think and grow in your relationship with our living God. — Hold Fast.

Sources: darwinproject.ac.uk/DCP-LETT-9105

Scriptures referenced: Genesis 1:1, Romans 8:7, Romans 1:20

In this episode I answer the question, “Does the Bible contain errors?” I highlight a few verses those who challenge the inerrancy of the Bible use to shed light on what the verses actually say. I explain how we can trust the scriptures we know and read today are authentic to their originals. And, I take a look at an example where some people believe there’s contradiction in the theology of the New Testament writers. This is a long episode, and I actually cut out an additional 35 minutes to make it less than an hour long. I hope you enjoy it and it helps you understand the importance of the Bible, not just as a book but as an accurate and faithful testament of the living God. — Hold Fast

Scriptures in the episode: I Corinthians 7:6, I Corinthians 7:2, I Corinthians 7:7-9, I Corinthians 7:10-12, Matthew 5:31-32, I Corinthians 7:25, I Corinthians 7:40, 2 Peter 3:16, Genesis 5:3-5, Joshua 10:12-14, 2 Kings 18:14, Romans 4:1-4, James 2:21, Genesis 15:6, Genesis 22:12, Romans 8:1, Psalm 119:89-91

Want to reach out to me? [email protected] or DM at www.facebook.com/HFMP311

This episode we’re confronting the issue of inspiration when it comes to the Bible. This is an episode I really looked forward to doing because there’s a lot of hesitancy to outright say the Bible is 100% true even among believers. The God I believe in is the same God that spoke the Bible I read and I am not ashamed to say that. I believe every word is true, every event is accurate, and every bit of it is and was inspired by God.

Scriptures in the episode: II Timothy 3:16-17, II Peter 1:21, Jeremiah 20:7-9, Leviticus 17:11, Genesis 1:1, Genesis 12:1-3, Galatians 3:8, I Timothy 5:17-18, Deuteronomy 25:4, Luke 10:7, II Peter 3:15-16, John 5:39, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:44, Matthew 22:23-32, Luke 16:27-31, Romans 8:7-8, Romans 1:28, I Corinthians 1:18, Matthew 16:24-25, I Peter 3:15, Romans 10:14.

Want to reach out to me? [email protected] or DM at www.facebook.com/HFMP311. — Hold Fast

Well, the circumstances that delayed episode 4 also delayed episode 5… but this time in reverse. I sat down and recorded the episode after a 12-hour shift at work, actually 11 days of 12-hour shifts straight, but at 11:30pm my brain no longer wanted to keep editing. Then I had to leave that jobsite and drive all the way back to Illinois. But, better late than never!

Today, we’re wrapping up the introduction to this series and answering the three final questions: What is the purpose of the revelation? What is the result of the revelation? And, what is the response to the revelation?

Next week we’re going to address the hurdle of inspiration. Is the Bible inspired, or was it simply made up?

Reach out! Website: www.holdfast.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/HFMP311 | Email: [email protected]

Scriptures referenced: Genesis 3:1-3, II Timothy 3:16, II Timothy 4:2-4, Acts 17:24-25, Luke 19:10, John 15:12-15, I John 1:1-3, Ephesians 2:19, Hebrews 2:11, I John 3:2, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10-18, I Peter 1:23-25.

Today, as we continue this series on the Bible itself, we’re looking at the what the revelation of God is. What is the revelation God wanted to be conveyed when the Bible is read?

Looking to join a community of believers who Hold Fast? Do you like what you’re hearing in the podcast and want to help spread the word? Sign up at www.holdfast.substack.com. Follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HFMP311. Want to contact me directly? Email me at [email protected].

Today’s verses: Mark 4:24, Matthew 6:33, James 2:19, Genesis 1:26-27, Deuteronomy 4:35, Daniel 6:26-27, Psalms 19:1, Matthew 5:45, Job 12:7-12, Romans 1:18-32.

Today we are starting a podcast series on the Bible itself. Why do Christians believe in it? Why should they believe in it? Is it reliable? Is it authentic?

This first episode is just the introduction to this topic but it already reveals some truth surrounding one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. Hint: In order to understand the purpose of the Bible, you need to have faith. Not because God is unbelievable, but because it is impossible to understand a God you don’t believe exists.

Scriptures discussed in this episode: Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6, John 1:14, Genesis 1, Exodus 34:5-7, and Acts 17:22-31.

In this second part of the introduction of the podcast, I want people to understand that to Hold Fast is not just about the benefits that come along with it, but is also a response of the believer who is thankful for Christ’s salvation in their life.

Those who Hold Fast are not “weekend warriors.” Those who Hold Fast show fruit of Christ’s work in their lives. Even when they stumble and fall, their actions show, though not perfect, they are continuing to Hold Fast.

To Hold Fast is to give up control of our lives, trust God to be who He says He is, and continue to live this out daily. Not because if we don’t we’ll be punished, but because He is worthy of us.