Was St. Nick a Real Figure in Church History?

Episode 604 Show Notes

From the Show

Here is a guy who loved the scriptures, suffered for his faith, and lived it out with acts of charity for those who are in need. That is what we need more of today, we need people who are going to stand up for the truth, cling to the Word of God, to Christian orthodoxy, and who do not just talk the talk, but walk the walk.

——Adriel Sanchez

Questions in this Episode

1. My wife and I were at a baptismal service recently where the pastor said that when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist all of the sins of the world were placed on him at that time and he then carried them with him until he went to the cross. We believe this is incorrect and that the sins of his people were placed on him at the cross and not at his baptism. What do you think?

2. I have a 5 year old grandson who is very smart. I started reading Bible stories to him but when he sees Adam he asks, “is this God?” or Noah, he asks, “is this God?” Any male he associates with God. How can I explain an abstract concept as He cannot touch or see I am stumped can you help me?

3. I have heard for the first time folks say that St. Nicholas was a real historical figure who fought against heretics in the ancient Christian church. Does this give us reason to celebrate the Santa Clause folklore during Christmas? I am not sure how the myth and this figure are related in the first place.

4. I want to ask about the Spirit’s voice as it relates not quite to prophesy, but when people “hear the voice of the Lord” when they pray, read the bible, or when they are at church, etc. Oftentimes this will happen and folks will feel inspired to say something to someone to encourage them and they will interpret that as the voice of the Spirit, prodding them to do so. This does not quite fit with “prophesy,” and people who claim to feel this voice of the Lord wouldn’t claim this to be prophesy, and I am not aware of anything in scripture that contradicts this notion. Am I just too stubborn with my cessationist opinions?