Quotes from David K. Bernard

I will be merciful, and I will believe in people. If I am to err, I will err on the side of mercy. I will give people the benefit of the doubt. I will bend, but not break, in order to give people the opportunity to grow and develop.

If they reject that truth, however, they cannot expect to understand more, and in fact, they will lose the truth that they have. (See Romans 1:21-28.) If they do not actively believe and love truth, they are subject to deception. (See II Thessalonians 2:10-12.)

In a spiritual sense, carnal people cannot grasp the significance of God's Word unless they turn to God, accept His Word by faith, and seek spiritual understanding. "The carnal mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14).

God is holy; holiness is an essential attribute of His nature. With respect to Him, it means absolute purity and moral perfection. With respect to man, holiness means conformity to the character of God. We must be holy because God is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). It means thinking as God thinks, loving what He loves, hating what He hates, and acting as Christ would act.

Instead of appealing to human authorities, institutions, and traditions, an apostolic church challenges people to encounter God for themselves, to search the Scriptures to find truth, and to follow God's ways instead of social expectations.

It is important, however, for spiritual leaders not to emulate worldly models of leadership but to provide a model of servant leadership as Jesus taught (Matthew 20:25–28).

An essential part of being truly apostolic is to seek revival, by which we mean a continual atmosphere of restoration and renewal that results in spiritual life, health, strength, and vigor.

In a society where all beliefs are tolerated, our message stands out as unique. Other groups can appeal to tradition and philosophy, but we can establish our message from Scripture, and it is confirmed by miracles, signs, and wonders. When people listen to other philosophical and religious discourses they may be entertained, affirmed, or intellectually stimulated, but when they hear the gospel they experience conviction, anointing, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Whatever He commands, He enables; and His grace always gives before it requires.

Inward holiness will produce outward holiness, but the outward appearance of holiness is worthless without inward holiness. For example, a modest spirit will produce modest dress, but modest dress is of little value if it conceals a lustful heart.

The Bible nowhere states that people before the law observed the Sabbath as a day of rest or worship.