FACTS

In this episode of FACTS, we step into the fourth century and examine one of the most important witnesses to early Christian baptism: St. Ambrose of Milan.

Drawing directly from Chapters 2–4 of On the Mysteries, Ambrose takes us inside the baptismal rites of the ancient Church and explains what newly baptized Christians experienced as they entered the waters of regeneration. Far from viewing baptism as a mere symbol, Ambrose presents it as a sacrament through which God truly acts—washing away sins, imparting new life, and incorporating believers into Christ.

In this study, Stephen Boyce and Pat May explore:

• Why Ambrose compares baptism to the crossing of the Red Sea
• The significance of renouncing Satan before entering the waters
• How Ambrose interprets Old Testament events as foreshadowing Christian baptism
• The connection between baptism, forgiveness of sins, and spiritual rebirth
• Why Ambrose believed baptism accomplished something real, not merely symbolic
• What his testimony reveals about the faith and practice of the fourth-century Church

Whether you are Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, or simply interested in the history of Christianity, Ambrose’s words provide a remarkable window into how the early Church understood the sacrament of baptism.

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

Here is a link to the Mysteries:https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf210/npnf210.iv.v.iii.html

#StAmbrose #Baptism #ChurchFathers #EarlyChurch #Catholic #Orthodox #ChristianHistory #Patristics #AncientChristianity #FACTSPodcast

Paul’s doctrine of the Church was never built on modern religious individualism. In this episode, we examine how many Protestants misunderstand Paul’s ecclesiology by reducing the Church to a voluntary gathering of believers rather than the visible, apostolic, and sacramental Body of Christ.

Drawing from key Pauline texts such as 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 1–2, and 1 Timothy 3:15, we explore Paul’s repeated “in Christ” language and why it points to incorporation into a corporate reality rather than merely a private relationship with Jesus. We also examine the apostolic foundation of the Church, the meaning of the Body of Christ, and why Paul’s theology cannot be reduced to “just me and my Bible” Christianity.

In this episode, Stephen Boyce and Pat May challenge modern assumptions about the Church and asks an important question: does the ecclesiology taught by Paul actually resemble modern Protestant individualism?

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

#Paul #ChurchHistory #Christianity #Bible #Catholic #Protestant #Ecclesiology #EarlyChurch #Theology #FACTSPodcast

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Dr. Tavo San Abri as we explore one of the biggest questions in theology, philosophy, and history: Which religion has the best historical case?

In this episode, we walk through Tavo’s Comparative Theological Framework (CTF), a massive evidential approach that compares major world religions across categories such as attestation lags, witness density, archaeological verification, codicological speed, hostile source testimony, intellectual legacy, and cross-traditional recognition. Rather than arguing from emotion or personal background, the framework asks what a rational and culturally neutral observer would conclude when weighing the historical evidence comparatively.

We discuss why Christianity stands apart in areas such as early creedal development, archaeological grounding, hostile attestation, enemy conversions, and the rapid spread of the early Christian movement. We also examine how the standards used to dismiss Christianity would often undermine accepted ancient history itself.

Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation challenges listeners to think carefully about evidence, historical methodology, and the origins of religious belief.

Follow Dr. Tavo San Abri: https://www.instagram.com/tavosanabri
https://www.youtube.com/@tavosanabri
Discord: @tavosanabri
https://www.facebook.com/tavosanabri

Here's a link to the slide deck on slideshare.net:
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/the-comparative-theological-framework-ctf-argument-evaluating-christianity-s-evidential-strength-across-religions/287715449

#Christianity #Apologetics #History #Jesus #Religion #Debate #Theology #HistoricalEvidence #CTF #TavoSanAbri

We are launching a brand new series on how Protestants misunderstand Paul. In this first episode, we cover Romans 1–3 and one of the most misunderstood phrases in Pauline theology: “works of the law.” Many modern Christians read Paul as though he were condemning all forms of obedience, good works, or cooperation with grace, but is that actually what Paul meant in his first-century Jewish context?In this episode, we examine Romans 1–3 in context, the meaning of “works of the law” (ἔργα νόμου), the Dead Sea Scroll document 4QMMT, covenant identity and Torah observance, boasting and justification, and the relationship between Jew and Gentile in Romans. We also look at how the early Church Fathers interpreted Paul, including Irenaeus and John Chrysostom. Was Paul opposing obedience itself, or was he opposing boasting in the Law apart from Christ? This episode challenges many modern assumptions about justification, grace, faith, and the Law.If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7#Romans #Paul #BibleStudy #ChurchHistory #Catholic #Protestant #DeadSeaScrolls #Justification #FACTSPodcast

Tonight on the FACTS Podcast, Dr. Stephen Boyce sits down with author and podcast host Hannah Crews for a conversation on faith, history, conversion, and what it means to begin “learning to swim the Tiber.” From wrestling with Protestant assumptions to discovering the depth of the early Church, this discussion dives into the personal and theological questions that often reshape a person’s understanding of Christianity.

Hannah Crews is an author, social media personality, and the host of The Lighten Up Podcast. As a former journalist and a lover of Jesus Christ, she has spent the last eight months researching early Church history. That journey has led her to a deep interest in and reverence for the Catholic Church. She now creates content focused on addressing Protestant misconceptions and interviews converts to Catholicism on her podcast.

Here's how to follow Hannah:
https://m.youtube.com/@hannahcrewsblog?ra=m
https://www.amazon.com/shop/hannahcrews.blog/list/2PB2I38GARM1E?ref_=aipsflist

If you'd like to donate to our ministry or be a monthly partner that receives newsletters and one on one discussions with Dr. Stephen Boyce, here's a link: https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=6381a2ee-b82f-42a7-809e-6b733cec05a7

#Catholic #ConversionStory #ChurchHistory #FACTSPodcast #HannahCrews #StephenBoyce #Catholicism #Protestant #EarlyChurch #SwimTheTiber

Music in the intro: https://youtu.be/N3c8JAK1u2A?si=wcPiycnAnczeexrT