Old Testament Survey Class
Dr. John Oakes is teaching an Old Testament Survey class in Bakersfield this week and will be posting notes, power point and audio. Twelve hours of audio are below.
The Science of God
Dr. John Oakes gave a presentation at Temple Beth Shalom in West Covina on God and Science. Part I was on why science tells us there is a God. Part II was on why knowledge of science supports the idea that the Bible is inspired by God and Part III is about evolution, science and […]
Christian Evidence Class for College Students
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a twelve hour class on Christian evidence specifically for a group of campus ministry interns in Fresno, California July 11-12. Power Point presentations and audio will be uploaded from the class.
Perseverence and Predestiation
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the biblical doctrine of predestination for an all-Mexico conference in Toluca, Mexico 7/20/19. The class includes biblical evidence against “once saved, always saved,” a history of the doctrine of predestination, a description of Calvinism, a refutation of Calvinism and a presentation of the biblical doctrine of predestination. Notes […]
The Book of Romans
Dr. John Oakes taught a six-part class on the Book of Romans in Bakersfield In May and June. Notes, PPT and audio are below. Romans Notes Romans PPT Romans Audio I Romans Audio II Romans Audio III Romans Audio IV Romans Audio V Romans Audio VI Romans Audio VII Romans Audio […]
A Review of Peter Enns’ book, “How the Bible Actually Works”
I have had a number of requests by believers to read material by Peter Enns. He has published a number of books in which he attacks Biblical inerrancy and inspiration, and does it in the name, supposedly, of a more accurate Christianity. I have had personal friends read his material, find his ideas credible, and […]
Sermons in Bakersfield Paul’s Farewell Address, Mary: A Mother’s Heart, Resurrection Power
Dr. John Oakes gave sermons on Mother’s day and Easter. The first is Mary: A Mother’s Heart. Mary A Mothers Heart Notes Mary A Mother’s Heart PPT Mary A Mother’s Heart Audio The second sermon is on why we can believe that Jesus was bodily resurrected from the dead, on the power of the […]
Ezekiel 37: The Valley of Dry Bones
Dr. John Oakes is giving a sermon on Ezekiel 36 and 37 for the Bakersfield Church of Christ 5/20/19. Notes and ppt attached. Ezekiel 37 Valley of Dry Bones Notes Ezekiel 37 The Valley of Dry Bones PPT Ezek 37 Valley of Dry Bones Audio
The Coming of the Kingdom of God
Many who use this site are familiar with a Bible study on the Coming of the Kingdom of God. This study was problematic both doctrinally and theologically for a few reasons, but many really liked using it (including myself). I was asked to produce an updated version of the study, minus its theological errors. Here […]
Kingdom of God for Catalyst Conference
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on the Kingdom of God at a singles conference in San Diego this weekend. Notes and power point are included, as well as expanded notes. Kingdom of God Catalyst Notes Kingdom of God PPT Kingdom of God Extended Notes KOG Catalyst […]
Acts and Church History Sermon in Fresno
Dr John Oakes gave a sermon for the Central Valley Church of Christ in Fresno 6/2/19. It is about how the primitive church put into effect the vision of Jesus in Acts 1:8 to take the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea and the ends of the earth.
The Kingdom of God
Dr. John Oakes is giving a two-week series of lessons on the kingdom of God in Bakersfield. Notes and power point are here. Audio will be posted. Kingdom of God Notes Kingdom of God ppt Kingdom of God I Audio Kingdom of God II Audio
Deuteronomy 8: Advice to Young Disciples
Dr. John Oakes is giving a lesson from Deuteronomy 8, which are, in essence, Moses’ parting words to the second generation of those who had left Egypt and who are about to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 8 PPT Deuteronomy 8 Notes Deut 8 Audio
God and Science at Bakersfield College
Dr. John Oakes gave a lecture on God and Science for the alpha omega student group at Bakersfield College 4/4/2019. Audio and ppt are attached. God and Science God and Science PPT
Class on the Book of Daniel
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a series of four classes on the Book of Daniel on Saturdays 9:00-10:45 beginning 2/16 at 3010 Amber Canyon Place, Bakersfield, CA 93313. Notes, power point and audio will be posted. Daniel PPT DANIEL Notes Daniel I Audio Daniel II Audio Daniel III Audio Daniel PartIV Daniel Part V Daniel […]
Class on Church History by John Oakes for LASMM
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the history of Christianity for the Los Angeles School of Ministry and Missions Nov 30-Dec 1 2018 and March 8-9, 2019. Notes and power point are here: church history notes Part I Church History Notes Part II Church History PPT Church History audio 1 Church History Audio […]
Teaching weekend in Central Massachussetts
Dr. John Oakes is doing a teaching weekend for the Pioneer Valley Church of Christ March 1-3. This includes a class on Science and God at the University of Massachussetts, Amherst on Friday evening and a lesson on the existence of God on Sunday AM. For more information, contact Lee Callan at leemichaelcallan@gmail.com or go […]
The Jesus Study Series
Dr. John Oakes, working with Mark Hodge, Jeff Chacon and Keith Wright put together a series of Bible studies to help unbelievers to become Christians for the San Diego Church of Christ. The study series is here: Jesus Series
Why does God order kings to kill people in the Old Testament? How is this consistent with the God of the New Testament?
[Editor’s note: When this question came in to the web site, I was absolutely shocked to find that I had never posted an answer to this most basic of questions. So, I am publishing this as an article as well.] Question: While sharing my faith with a person of another religion, he was questioning me […]
Journal: Missionary Teaching Trip to Nigeria, Togo, Congo and Zambia
I am now on the last leg of my travels, in Lusaka, Zambia. Lessons are at the web site. Africa 2019 Journal Jan 3-10 Abuja Nigeria I arrive in Abuja at 5:00 AM. Abuja is a city of five million. It is the second city of Nigeria and is the political capital. It is a […]
Lessons from Africa 2019 Missionary Teaching Trip
Dr. John Oakes is on a missionary teaching trip to Nigeria, Togo, Republic of Congo and Zambia. Notes, PPTs and audio will be posted. Revelation-PPT Revelation notes Revelation Abuja audio 1 Revelation Abuja audio 2 Revelation Abuja audio 3 Revelation Abuja audio 4 Daniel PPT Daniel notes Daniel Abuja audio Hebrews Living […]
The Fall of Babylon: A Reassessment
Editor’s note: This article was shared with me recently by a believer who uses the web site. The author, a rabbi, proposes that a contributing factor to the fall of Babylon to Persia was that Nabonidus (the father of Belshazzar and king of Babylon, see Daniel 5) cooperated with Cyrus in order to obtain the […]
Book Recommendation: Can We Trust the Gospels?
I do not post a lot of book reviews or recommendations, but for this one I am going to make an exception. I just finished reading a brand new book–published only in the last few weeks–by Peter J. Williams. It is available from Crossway Books. The title is Can We Trust the Gospels? In this book […]
Acts Class in San Diego
Dr. John Oakes, along with Josh Plum, Austin Farrel, Pedro Figueroa and Ricky Fagan are teaching a class on the Book of Acts for the San Diego Teaching Ministry. Notes, Power Point and audio are attached. The class will be every Saturday 9:00-10:45 at Church SD 4579 Mission Gorge Pl. San Diego 92120. Acts Class […]
Lessons in Arabic and English
Dr. John Oakes is teaching in Amman, Jordan, Beirut, Lebanon and Cairo, Egypt. We will be posting outlines, ppts and audio of lessons in English, translated into Arabic. Hard Questions Arabic PPT Hard Questions Audio Freedom in Christ Arabic Audio Existence of God PPT Existence of God Arabic audio From God or Man […]
Missionary Teaching trip to Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt: Journal
We are now on our way home from Egypt. This is the final addition to the journal Middle East Fall, 2018 Journal October 22-28 Israel Jan and I are here in Israel as part of Doug Jacoby’s Biblical Study Tour for a seven day sojourn through Israel. We arrive at Tel Aviv on Monday at […]
From Shadow to Reality in Temecula
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on finding Jesus in the Old Tesatment in Temecula, California on 10/14/18. Notes, PPT and audio are included. Shadow to Reality Notes FSTR PPT FSTR Temecula Audio
Hebrews 11 Sermon Living by Faith
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on Hebrews 11 for the Southpoint Region of the Church of Christ on 10/7/18. Notes, PPT and audio are attached. Hebrews 11 Notes Hebrews 11 PPT Heb 11 Living by Faith Audio A similar lesson for a devotional at the Orange County Church of Christ 10/9/18 Heb 5 […]
Malachi Sermon by John Oakes
Dr. John Oakes gave his first sermon as the minister for the Bakersfield Church of Christ. The sermon came from Malachi and is titled Malachi: Faith in God vs Faithful to God. Audio, ppt and notes are included. Malachi” Faith or Faithful? audio Malachi Sermon PPT Malachi sermon notes
Jesus, the Perfect High Priest Sermon
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon for the Southpoint Region of the San Diego Church of Christ on Hebrews 5 & 6 titled Jesus, the Perfect High Priest on 9/30-2018. Notes, PPT and audio are included. Jesus the Great High Priest notes Jesus the Great High Priest PPT Jesus the Perfect High Priest Audio
Class on Daniel: God Rules the Nations
Dr. John Oakes taught a four-part class on Daniel for the Mission Region of the San Diego Church of Christ. Notes, PPT and audio are here. Daniel PPT Daniel Notes Daniel Audio I Daniel Audio 2 Daniel Audio 3 Daniel Audio 4 The Book Daniel, Prophet to the Nations by John […]
A class on the Book of Hebrews
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on the Book of Hebrews Friday and Saturday, 9/14-9/15, along with Robert Carrillo, Gregg Marutzky and Grady King for the Los Angeles School of Ministry and Missions. The updated notes and power point are attached for the use of the students (and anyone else interested. Hebrews Notes LASMM […]
EFC Now Has a Youtube Chanel
We are excited to announce that, with the help of Carlos Vargas we have set up a youtube channel. We will be posting videos regularly to this channel. To see a series of videos, Hebrews, Living by Faith, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnPEaEoBuBA
Class on Luke for Inspire Singles Conference
Dr. John Oakes gave a two-part lesson on the Book of Luke at an international singles conference on 9/1/2018. The notes power point and audio are attached. Luke Notes Luke PPT Luke Inspire Audio 1 Luke Inspire Audio 2
Class on the Book of Hebrews September 14-15
Dr. John Oakes and Robert Carrillo are teaching a 12 hour class on the Book of Hebrews for the Los Angeles School of Missions and Ministry in West Covina September 14-15. The class is designed for ministers, shepherds and teachers. For more information click here: https://www.laschoolofministry.com/module-4
A Study of Foreshadows in the Book of Joshua
Editor’s note: Jonathan Lichtenwalter is a student in our ARS Apologetics Certificate Program. This paper was submitted as part of the program. Enjoy Into the Nations: A Study of Foreshadows in the Book of Joshua Joshua is a book filled with campaigns and conquest, war and slaughter, judgement and wrath. The reader may be asking, […]
Book of Acts: The Church Meets Needs
Dr. John Oakes preached a sermon for the Pomerado Region of the San Diego Church of Christ 8/25/18. The topic is part of a series explaining how the Church in the first centuries was able to change the world. This lesson is about how the church met the needs of believers and non-believers through helping […]
Ephesians 6 Spiritual warfare.
Dr. John Oakes is giving a sermon on Ephesians 6 8/12/2018. Notes, power point and audio are attached. Ephesians 6 Notes Ephesians 6 PPT Ephesians 6 sermon
Lessons from teaching trip to Russia, Japan, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan
I will be posting many lessons from my current teaching trip. All will be in English, but with translation into Russian, Japanese, or Mongolian. Freedom in Christ Russian FreedominChrist Russian ppt Hebrews Russian 1 Hebrews Russian 2 Hebrews Russian 3 Hebrews Russian PPT Christian World View Russian Christian World View Russian PPT From […]
Journal: Missionary Teaching Trip to Vladivostok, Tokyo, Osaka, Ulan Bator, Mongolia and Bishkek, Kyrgistan
Dr. John Oakes is starting a three week missionary teaching trip to Russia, Japan, Mongolia and Kyrgistan. Right now I am in Kyrgyzstan at a conference for leaders in Central Asia. I will be posting regularly while traveling. Vladivostok, Russia July 13-16 The first stop on my teaching trip this summer is Vladovostok, Russia. Travel […]
Lessons in Mexicali Malachias, Santiago, Hechos 20
Dr. John Oakes is teaching several Bible classes July 7-9 in Mexicali. The classes are on Malachi, James and a lesson on Acts 20–the farewell address by Paul. Power points and audio are enclosed. Clase Malaquías PPT Clase Malachias Audio Taller de Santiago PPT Taller de Santiago 1 Audio Taller de Santiago 2 Taller […]
Budjima
Budjima Budjima
Incredible Claims
Dr. John Oakes and Austin Ferel taught a lesson for teens at the San Diego teen camp on 6/17/18. The class was intended to help teens see through the religious confusion out there to understand that Jesus is literally the ONLY way to God. This is done through considering the claims of other religions, looking […]
Essay: Why Was Joseph Smith So Successful as the Founder of a Religion?
One of the students in our Apologetics Certificate Program, Drew Tacher, has written a really nice paper for the course on Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormonism). The biography is good (if you want more, purchase my book on Mormonism, “Mormonism: What Does the Evidence […]
Galatians Sermon: Living by Law or by the Spirit
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon in San Diego 6/10/18 from the Book of Galatians. The theme is living by the Holy Spirit versus living by the obligation of the Law. The lesson focuses in on the fact that our freedom comes from having the Holy Spirit in us. Living by the flesh causes us […]
Outline for Isaiah For Use in Group Bible Studies
The attached is a fairly detailed set of notes on the Book of Isaiah prepared by John Oakes and Carlos Vedovato. Please note that this outline is intended for use in group studies. It is largely composed of suggestive questions and parallel passages rather than a scholarly exegesis of the book. It may be useful […]
Russian Power Points July, 2018
Dr. John Oakes taught many lessons in Vladivostok, Ulan Bataar and Bishkek. Russian translation of the power points are included here. FreedominChrist Russian ppt Hebrews Russian PPT Shadow to Reality Russian PPT Christian World View Russian PPT
EFC Now has a podcast!
We are excited to announce an addition to the materials available at this web site. Thanks to the help of my good friend Cory Wadstrom, we will now be hosting a regular podcast covering areas of Christian evidence, biblical studies, current topics and more. Our plan is to post every two weeks at first, hopefully […]
Sermon: Intro to Acts. A Vision for Church Growth
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon as an intro to a series on Acts in San Diego 4/29/8. The lesson focuses on the Holy Spirit in Acts, on the growth of the New Testament Church and on the elements of that amazing growth. The theme verse is Acts 1:8–to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends […]
Colossians Class: Christ a Catalyst for Change
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the Book of Colossians at the Catalyst conference in San Deigo 4/22/18. Notes, PPT and audio are attached. Christ Catalyst for Change Notes Christ Catalyst for Change PPT Christ Catalyst Colossians Audio