Pastor to the California State Capitol and Beyond
America’s CHRISTIAN HERITAGE was on display at President Biden's Inauguration, as has been the case with EVERY Presidential Inauguration in our nation’s history (including the previous one). Church Service: The Bidens began the day by attending a Roman Catholic mass at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C., accompanied by all four …
Occam’s Razor is the often-quoted philosophical idea that when we are presented with various hypotheses about the same thing, we should select the solution that is the simplest. Or put more simply, the simplest explanation is usually the right one. This rule-of-thumb is considered a helpful guide for scientific research, and it can be invaluable …
It is easy to criticize our government leaders and complain about their decisions. In fact, some of them make it extremely easy for us to do this. However, there is a better way. The Bible instructs us to instead pray for them. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, …
Our national conversation at this time largely concerns the shocking death of George Floyd and the subsequent peaceful demonstrations, destruction, looting, violence, and police action in cities all across the United States, and what they mean for us as Americans. We who desire to follow Jesus Christ look to God’s written word to instruct …
Continue reading "A Biblical Response to the George Floyd Protests"
I often post Bible passages related to government on my social media sites, as a reminder to us of what God says about this important topic. In recent days, I quoted portions of Romans 13:1-7, where we are told to honor and submit to government leaders since they are servants of God to do His will. …
I have enjoyed teaching lately through 2 Corinthians 4:6-18 on the topic of God's Light in Clay Pots. What an amazing thought that God can use plain, common, unimpressive people like us to hold and pour out His glory! Here's teaching from July 23, 2017 at Chico Grace Brethren Church in Chico, California: God's Light in …
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by Frank Erb This is a new year and a time of new beginnings. With so much that is new, this is a perfect time for us to refresh our understanding of God - to look back to the first book of the Bible, the book of beginnings, to the book of Genesis. Genesis is likely …
It was encouraging to hear so many Biblical passages and mentions of Jesus Christ in the prayers at President Donald Trump's Inauguration. This inauguration set a record for having six different prayer leaders (Timothy Dolan, Samuel Rodriguez, Paula White, Franklin Graham, Marvin Hier, and Wayne T. Jackson). They were a diverse group: theologically (Catholic, evangelical, pentecostal, and Jewish), ethnically (white, black, hispanic) …
I enjoyed teaching last weekend about "Shining Emotionally," based on Psalm 139:23-24. It's an important topic for many of us. I'd love to hear any thoughts you have about it. https://soundcloud.com/antelopespringschurch/sets/emotions-the-heart-speaks Keep Shining! (i.e. Glorifying God), Frank
Did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about how we should regard and relate to the government? One passage that addresses this is found in 1 Peter 2:13-17. 1 Peter 2:13-17 “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or …
“I should be the most presumptuous blockhead upon this footstool, if I for one day thought that I could discharge the duties which have come upon me since I came into this place, without the aid and enlightenment of One who is wiser and stronger than all others.” - Abraham Lincoln
In my last post, I addressed the question "Should Christians Vote?". In short, the answer is yes. That now leads us inevitably to another important question: WHO should we vote for? I remember reading through the statewide voter guide before the 2003 special election for California State Governor. Among the many statements from candidates was one from …
As we approach another election day, I have heard from some friends that they will definitely vote, and from others who say they won't even bother. This brings up an important question: "Are we, as followers of Jesus, obligated to vote in public elections?" The Bible does not directly address the question of voting, probably because voting as we know …
Mark 6:14-32 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are at work in Him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah.” And others were saying, “He is a prophet, like …
Continue reading "Capitol Bible Study: A Politician’s Downfall (Mark 6:14-32)"
Mark 6:12-32 12 They went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they were casting out many demons and were anointing with oil many sick people and healing them. 14 And King Herod heard of it, for His name had become well known; and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and …
Continue reading "Capitol Bible Study: “Clash of Kingdoms” (Mark 6:12-32)"
I enjoyed teaching last sunday at Grace Brethren Church of Chico, California, on the topic of "The Priority and Power of the Gospel." In Acts 25 we find the apostle Paul in Caesarea, called from prison, where he had been held for over two years, to appear before Festus, the new Roman governor of Judea; King Herod Agrippa; and an …
Continue reading "Audio: The Priority and Power of the Gospel"
Mark 6:10-11 “And He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them.” In first-century Jewish culture, shaking the …
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Mark 6:6b-13 And He was going around the villages teaching. 7 And He *summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits; 8 and He instructed them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a mere staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belt— …
Continue reading "California Capitol Bible Study: How Is Your Training Going? (Mark 6:6-13)"
Mark 6:1-6a Jesus went out from there and *came into His hometown; and His disciples *followed Him. 2 When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these …
Continue reading "California Capitol Bible Study: The Tragedy of Unbelief (Mark 6:1-6)"
I was honored to speak at the California Republican Party Convention’s Prayer Breakfast in San Francisco on Sunday, March 16. You can listen to the audio here. My ministry in the Capitol is non-partisan, so I will gladly speak at the Democratic Convention also if invited! After all, as I explain here, our nation’s greatest problem is not political … it is spiritual! (P.S. The introduction is difficult to hear, but once I begin to speak at about the 4 minute mark the volume greatly increases thanks to my lapel mic.)
Frank Erb 