Verse By Verse: Recent Episodes
Clinton De France
This is a biblical exposition podcast, in which Clinton De France takes listeners on an educational journey through the Bible: book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. While there aren’t many podcasts like this – dedicated to working through every sentence, phrase, and word in the Bible – this podcast has some other unique features. It represents undenominational Christianity; an effort to draw out the earliest and purest beliefs and practices of the followers of Jesus Christ during the time of Jesus and His apostles. Brother De France makes a concerted effort to avoid dogmatic traditionalism, subjective mysticism, and cynical liberalism in his teaching. If you hear something that challenges you, or something that you would like to challenge, brother De France welcomes correspondence and will release a special Question and Response episode once a month. Each time we begin a new book, brother De France will start with a short, non-exhaustive introduction before getting into the text. The text will be divided into related sections, sometimes consisting only of a few verses and sometimes stretching from one chapter into another as the context demands. We’ll give a title to each series reflecting what we have concluded about the general theme of the book.
What is the church? What does it mean to be part of the Church? We explore these important questions in a study of Ephesians 1:19-23.
How does one truly know God? What is the importance of knowing God to the Christian life? Join us for our study of Ephesians 1:15-23 in which these and other questions are considered.
What is the primary driving concern of God in the work which He is accomplishing through Christ? Join us in this study of Ephesians 1:8-10 in which we make the case for extravagant redemption.
In Ephesians Paul makes frequent reference to "the heavenly places" and the things that are happening there. What are "the heavenly places"? How role does this phrase play in Paul's overall argument throughout this book? Find out in our special study!
What are the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit? How does the Spirit work in us to make us like Christ? Find out some of what the Bible has to say about this thrilling subject in our study of Ephesians 1:13-14.
How does the history of Israel reveal God's ultimate purpose? Find out in our study of Ephesians 1:8-12.
What did the death of Christ do of the human race? Find out in our study of Ephesians 1:7.
How do the Biblical doctrines of election and predestination give us hope in times of confusion and distress? Find out in this study of Ephesians 1:3-6.
Is the plan of God failing? How are we to make sense of the evil in the world and the seeming triumph of darkness over light? The answer is "in Christ." Join us for this special study of Ephesians 1:1-3 learn more about what this important phrase means.
What impact does the kingdom of God have on evil industries? Find out in our study of Acts 19:21-20:1 as Paul concludes his ministry in Ephesus.
What is the difference between an inductive and deductive approach to the Bible? Find out in this study!
Why did the Jews reject Paul's teaching on the kingdom of God? Find out in this study of Acts 19:8-10.
Is everyone who teaches something false a "false teacher"? Find out in our study of Acts 18:24-28.
What kind of vow did Paul take at Cenchrea? Was this a reversion to the Law of Moses or a normative Christian practice? Find out in our study of Acts 18:18-23.
Are there any non-Christians who are "God's People"? Who are "the elect"? Join as we consider this questions in our study of Acts 18:9-17
Is it right for ministers of the gospel to be financially supported for their work? What should they do if financial support is not available? Find out in our study of Acts 18:1-8.
Can Greek philosophy harmonize with Christianity? Find out in our study of Acts 17:32-34.
Does the world have any good reason to believe in God? Find out in our study of Acts 17:22-31.
What happens when the intellectual elite of the world are confronted with the gospel? Find out in our study of Acts 17:16-21.
What makes a heart "good ground" for the "seed of the kingdom"? Find out in our study of Acts 17:8-15.
What does it mean to "turn the world upside down"? Should Christianity have this impact on society? Join us for our study of Acts 17:1-7
Why do most people fail to study the Bible well? Find out in lesson 3 of our special study - How to Study the Bible.
What would make a man praise God from a prison cell? Find out in our study of Acts 16:18-27.
How do evil spirits work in the lives of humans? Do demons possess people today? Can evil spirits work miracles? We consider these matters in our study of Acts 16:16-17.
Why should you make a habit of daily Bible reading? How can you read the Bible more effectively? Join for answers as we continue our special series: How to Study the Bible.
What does it mean that the Lord opened Lydia's heart? Find out in our study of Acts 16:10-15.
What does it take to study the Bible effectively? Find out as we consider the necessary attitude for a God "approved" Bible student.
Why did the Holy Spirit forbid Paul to preach in Asia and Bithynia? Find out the fascinating answer in our study of Acts 16:6-9.
Why did Paul circumcise Timothy? Was this a compromise of the gospel of grace? Find out in our study of Acts 16:1-5.
Why did Paul and Barnabas part ways? Was this the right thing to do? Join us as we study Acts 15:36-41.
When did the apostles leave Jerusalem and why did it take them so long? What did they do after they left, especially those who did not write books? Find out in our conclusion of the special study series reviewing the role of the apostles in the Book of Acts.
What are the qualifications for an apostle of Jesus Christ? Are there still apostles in the church today? How does Paul relate to the Twelve? Find out the Biblical answers to these question in our continuing special study.
What role do the apostles play in the Book of Acts? Join us as we began a multi-part review of theology of the apostles in Acts and work through some difficult questions about their role in the church.
What did the Jerusalem Council mean when they insisted that the Gentiles abstain from eating things that had been strangled? How did they reach this conclusion? Is it binding on Christians today? Find out in our study of Acts 15:19-35.
Did a church council take place in Acts 15? If so, who was involved and how did the work through the issues that brought them together? Find out in our study of Acts 15:6-18.
What was the doctrine of the Judaizers? Why did Paul oppose it so strongly? Can this doctrine threaten the church today? Find out in our study of Acts 15:1-5.
What was the controversy which led to the conference in Jerusalem in Acts 15? Find out in our important study of some of the Biblical and historical context for this chapter.
After we are converted to Christ, what does it take to "enter the kingdom of God"? Find out in our study of Acts 14:18-28
Do those without the Bible have a witness to the one true God? If so, what is it? Find out in our study of Acts 14:1-17.
Luke says that in Pisidian Antioch "as many as were appointed to eternal life believed." What does this mean? Does it support the idea of unconditional election for salvation? Find out in our study of Acts 13:44-52.
What does it mean to be justified by faith? Find out in this extremely important study of Acts 13:38-43.
Did the Old Testament exist in the apostolic age? If so, how did the apostles view it and how did they use it in their preaching? In today's study we will answer these questions using the Book of Acts.
What is the greatest gift God ever gave the world? Find out in our study of Acts 13:13-37.
Should we expect the Holy Spirit to speak to us? Find out in our second study of Acts 12:25-13:3.
In earlier studies we have argued that the theme of the book of Acts is the establishment and increase of the kingdom of God. What is "the kingdom of God"? Find out the Biblical answer in this week's special study.
What is "the church"? What does it mean to be "in the church"? Find out in our study of Acts 12:25-13:3.
What will God do when "the sword" of justice is unjustly turned against His people? Find out in our study of Acts 12:1-24.
When Barnabas visited the church in Antioch, he saw "the grace of God." Learn the awesome and beautiful meaning of this expression in our study of Acts 11:19-26.
How should you react when you learn that you have been wrong? Find out in our study of Acts 10:44-11:18.
Why was the household of Cornelius' baptized in the Holy Spirt? What was the purpose of tongue speaking? Why was the experience called a "baptism"? Find out in this first part of our study of Acts 10:44-11:18.
What makes the message of Jesus good news for all nations? Find out in our study of Acts 10:24-43.
How will God justify the nations? Join us as we study a very important chapter in God's work to answer that question in Acts 10:9-23.
Why did the angel tell Cornelius to send for Peter? The answer may surprise you! Join us for our study of Acts 9:43-10:8.
Millions of church members have died and not been raised to live again - including all of the apostles - but there was a woman who was so esteemed and valued by the church where she labored that her brothers and sisters asked for her to live again - and Jesus granted their request! Find out more in our study of Acts 9:31-43.
After he was converted what did it take for Saul of Tarsus to prepare for his ministry? Find out in this fascinating study of Acts 9:19-30.
What would make an anti-christian with several good reasons not to convert, decide to convert with enthusiasm? Find out in this special study of the amazing change that took place in Saul of Tarsus when he met Jesus Christ.
What happened on the Damascus road and what did this mean? Find out in our study of Acts 9.1-9.
He became known as the apostle Paul, but before he was a Christian, who was Saul of Tarsus? Find out in our study of Acts 9.1-2.
Have words, sentences, and phrases been added to the Bible? How could that happen, and what would it mean to the Christian faith?
What would prevent a person from being baptized? Find out in today's study of Acts 8.35-40.
What is the key to understanding the Old Testament? Find out in our study of Acts 8.28-34.
How can we be a part of God's work to get the Gospel to the world? Find out the Bible answer as we study Acts 8.26-27.
How can you know if you're saved? How does one receive the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit? Can a Christian lose his salvation? Find out the answers to these questions as we conclude our study in Acts 8.13-25.
How can you know if you're saved? How does one receive the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit? Can a Christian lose his salvation? Find out the answers to these questions as we study Acts 8.13-25 in our next two episodes.
What is the difference between miracles and magic? Find out the Bible answer in our study of Acts 8.4-12.
What does it mean to be converted to Christ? Find out in our special study of conversions in the book of Acts. Find the article mentioned in this episode here: https://www.bspoftulsa.com/resources.html
What exactly did Stephen see when he was dying and what did it mean? Find out in our study of Acts 7.54-60.
Did Stephen contradict the historical and mathematical details of the Old Testament? Would it matter if he did? Find out as we continue our study of Acts 7.
Did Jesus destroy the temple and change the law of God? If so, what does this mean? Find out in our study of Acts 7.1-53.
How can the child of God stand up against slander and false accusations? Find out in our study of Acts 6.8-15.
How did the early Christians address division in their assemblies? Find out in our study of Acts 6.1-7.
How should Christians respond when authorities forbid them from serving God? Find out in our study of Acts 5.12-32.
The apostles and early Christians had a faith worth suffering and dying for. What does it take to have this kind of authentic faith? Find out as we study Acts 4.1-22.
What did the first congregations of Christ look like? Find out as we study Acts 2.42-47.
In the midst of his discussion regarding the "various trials" that Christians fall into, why does James give the command "let not many of you become teachers?" Find out on this week's episode.
Today we begin a special three part series examining themes from the book of James regarding the Christian response to “various trials.” In these difficult and uncertain times throughout our world, the Bible has timely and practical instruction to help us experience God’s blessings even in the darkest hours. In this episode, we will consider the special role of prayer in response to trials.
Once we have heard and believed the gospel, what must we do to be saved? Find out as we study Acts 2.37-41.
Other than the crucifixion and resurrection, the Day of Pentecost is likely the most important day in Christian history. But what really happened that day in Jerusalem, and how did it change the world forever? Find out next as we study Acts 2.1-21.
In today's episode, we will discuss the prophetic background of the amazing events in Acts 2 and discover the biblical truth about the baptism of the Holy Spirit and of fire.
Why were there 12 apostles? Other than those who wrote books of the New Testament, what were their contributions to the Christian faith? What are the qualifications of an apostle, and are there apostles in the church today? We will answer these questions and more in our study of Acts 1.12-26.
Why did Jesus leave the earth? What happened after He ascended? What will happen when He comes again? We'll look at the Bible answer to these questions as we study Acts 1.9-11.
What is “the Promise of the Father”? What role does the city of Jerusalem play in God’s eternal plan? What is “the Restoration of Israel”? In today’s study in Acts 1.4-8 we’ll learn the answers to these and other great questions.
After Jesus was crucified, what set the course for the future of Christianity? Usually, when great leaders die, their movements fracture and splinter due to infighting and struggle for power. The original teachings and ideas are highjacked and modified by those who would become the heir of the original leader’s legacy. In Acts, Luke presents the very different and utterly unique experience of the early Christians.
Who wrote the book of Acts? When was it written? What is the theme and function of this book in the Bible as a whole? In this brief series introduction, we will explore these and related subjects.