Truism

Download the free Does Doctrine Matter? study guide (PDF)One sheet, front and back: 36 passages, the dual nature of Jesus, and God/Father/Spirit/Son connections.Is the Holy Ghost an impersonal force—or God personally present and active? James, Jorge, and Manny close their three-part Does Doctrine Really Matter? conversation by exploring how Scripture describes the Spirit speaking, calling, grieving, and living in believers. From their Oneness perspective, they read the language of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and Christ in you together, then consider Jesus’ promise of another Comforter.The discussion moves from the singular name in Matthew 28:19 to the baptisms recorded in Acts, then turns toward common ground and honest Bible study. The hosts challenge listeners to examine inherited beliefs, take difficult passages seriously, and approach disagreement with humility. Philippians 3:10 brings the series back to its central purpose: doctrine should help us know God, not merely win an argument.Key takeawaysThe hosts distinguish the Holy Ghost’s personal presence and activity from the idea of an impersonal spiritual energy.Acts 5, Acts 13, Ephesians 4, and Romans 8 shape their discussion of who the Spirit is and how He works.They connect Jesus’ promise of another Comforter with His assurance that He will come to His disciples.Matthew 28:19 and the baptisms in Acts are considered together within the hosts’ Oneness understanding.The closing invitation is to search Scripture for yourself, listen fairly to others, and make knowing God the purpose of doctrine.Reflection questionWhat changes when my goal in studying doctrine is to know God and help someone else know Him?Chapters00:00:00 Why the Holy Ghost matters00:02:36 Off Topic On Topic — words that stay with us00:07:19 The Holy Ghost is personally present and active00:15:54 Another Comforter and Christ in you00:20:05 One name and the baptisms in Acts00:27:24 Finding common ground without a gotcha00:37:38 The purpose of doctrine is to know GodScripture discussedThe Holy Ghost and His activity: Acts 5:3–4; Acts 13:2; Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:17.The Comforter and God dwelling in believers: John 14:16–18, 23.The name and baptism: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:16; Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5.Knowing God: Philippians 3:10; 1 John 5:20; Jeremiah 9:23–24.Further passages referenced: John 1:1; John 17; Acts 7; Isaiah 9:6; Deuteronomy 6:4; John 20:28. Displayed scripture text uses the King James Version.

Download the free Does Doctrine Matter? study guide (PDF)One sheet, front and back: 36 passages, the dual nature of Jesus, and God/Father/Spirit/Son connections.If Jesus is fully God, why does He pray? James, Jorge, and Manny continue Does Doctrine Really Matter? by exploring Jesus’ genuine humanity alongside the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in Him. They consider a Jesus who grows, gets tired, thirsts, weeps, and submits His will—while also revealing God and doing works beyond human ability.From their Oneness perspective, the hosts connect Philip’s request to see the Father with Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, His baptism, and passages about the Word, glory, and sonship. Their recurring question is how each passage portrays Jesus’ human life and divine identity.Key takeawaysJesus’ humanity is central to understanding His growth, temptation, prayer, and obedience.Philip’s question in John 14 opens a discussion of how Jesus reveals the Father.Gethsemane and Hebrews 5 connect prayer with suffering, submission, and obedience.Scripture discussed: John 14:7–11; Philippians 2:5–8; Luke 2:52; Colossians 2:9; Luke 22:41–42; Hebrews 5:7–8; Matthew 3:16–17; John 17:5, 22.Chapters00:00 Fully God and fully man09:20 Off Topic On Topic — unlikely food combinations14:17 Philip asks to see the Father22:21 Jesus’ genuine humanity31:48 Who is Jesus praying to?36:26 The baptism of Jesus41:40 Glory, the Word, and the SonReflection: How does Jesus’ example of prayer and submission shape the way I respond when God’s will is difficult?

Download the free Does Doctrine Matter? study guide (PDF)One sheet, front and back: 36 passages, the dual nature of Jesus, and God/Father/Spirit/Son connections.What do we mean when we say we believe in God? James, Jorge, and Manny begin Does Doctrine Really Matter? by asking whether our beliefs go deeper than the labels we use. A discussion of the 2025 State of Theology survey leads into the difference between knowing about God and knowing Him.In Part 1, the hosts explain their Oneness perspective, discuss the Trinitarian position, and trace the repeated biblical declaration that God is one. From the apostles’ doctrine to Jeremiah’s call to know the Lord, the conversation asks what Scripture requires us to believe and why it matters in everyday faith.Main topics• The 2025 State of Theology survey and the limits of inherited labels• Off Topic / On Topic: things we use daily without understanding how they work• Why doctrine means teaching and belongs in everyday faith• Knowing God rather than only knowing about Him• The Trinitarian and Oneness positions as discussed by the hosts• Reading Scripture’s declarations of one God and considering what followsReflection questionCan I explain what I believe about God from Scripture, and how does that understanding shape the way I pray, worship, and live?Chapters00:00 Three statements about God03:28 Welcome and the State of Theology survey09:40 What do we actually believe13:06 Off Topic On Topic17:52 Why doctrine matters21:56 God wants to be known27:38 Discussing the Trinitarian and Oneness positions32:53 What does Scripture require38:50 The repeated declaration of one God42:47 None else in Isaiah48:26 Jesus and the New Testament witnesses52:45 The foundation of what we believe54:16 Knowing God and looking ahead to Part 2Scripture discussedActs 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 2:1; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Hosea 6:6; John 17:3; Jeremiah 31:33–34; John 10:30; Deuteronomy 17:18; 6:4; 4:35; 4:39; 32:39; Isaiah 43:10–11; 44:6; 44:8; 45:5–6; 45:21–22; 46:9; Mark 12:29; 12:32–34. Additional declarations are quoted in the rapid-fire readings.Survey sourceLifeway Research and Ligonier Ministries, 2025 State of Theology:https://research.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ligonier-State-of-Theology-2025-Report.pdf

Is doing the minimum the same as living from the heart? James, Jorge, and Manny explore what it means to live above the common level: moving beyond a checklist of obligations toward love, surrender, and the character of Christ.After an Off Topic On Topic conversation about the things we go overboard on, the hosts turn to the rich young ruler, the Good Samaritan, and Jesus' command to love our enemies. They discuss why grace makes transformation possible, how our motives shape our actions, and why spiritual maturity leads to humility and service. The question running through it all is simple: What would love require of me?Chapters00:00 Beyond the bare minimum00:55 Off Topic On Topic06:00 Would you rather receive the minimum?09:27 What does love require?12:29 The rich young ruler and the heart16:35 The Good Samaritan and making time23:58 Loving your enemies28:12 The law defines the line31:02 Grace makes transformation possible34:04 Love examines our motives36:32 The mind of Christ and humility39:29 The letter and the Spirit41:07 Appearance and the inner life43:44 Living from a transformed heart45:08 A question for reflection45:32 Amen

What will your last words reveal about the way you lived? James, Jorge, and Manny begin with some memorable—and sometimes questionable—last-word stories before turning to family, priorities, and finishing faithfully.A round of tombstone epitaphs leads into a personal remembrance of James’s dad, an honest conversation about the cost of career success, and the biblical words of Jesus, Stephen, David, and Paul. The question isn’t just what you will say at the end. It’s what your everyday choices are saying now.Chapters00:00 Famous last words: the cold open01:48 Welcome back and remembering Dad03:15 Off Topic / On Topic: your tombstone05:52 Why last words carry weight07:39 The alleged Sam Walton story and the cost of success12:13 When good things replace first things14:47 Jesus and Stephen: finishing and forgiving16:21 David: remembering God’s faithfulness18:16 Paul: fought, finished, kept19:50 Your daily choices are writing your last words22:43 What would heaven say about your life?23:54 AmenScripture discussedJohn 19:30 — “It is finished.”Acts 7:60 — Stephen’s prayer for those killing him.2 Samuel 23:1–5 — David’s final recorded words and God’s everlasting covenant.2 Timothy 4:6–7 — Paul’s departure, the good fight, the finished course, and faith kept.A question to carry with youIf your daily choices are writing your last words, what are you saying yes to—and what needs a different answer this week?Truism — Rightly So SaidHosts: James, Jorge, and Manny