Author · Church historian · Teacher
David Bercot
A retired attorney and author known for his books on the earliest Christian writers, about A.D. 100–325.
Start listeningRead his life story
Who is David Bercot?
David W. Bercot is a retired attorney, author, church historian and conservative Anabaptist teacher. Born in 1950 in Anchorage, Alaska, he founded Scroll Publishing and is best known for Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up and A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, which bring the writings of the earliest Christians to ordinary readers.[1][2]
- Born
- 1950, Anchorage, Alaska[1]
- Education
- B.A., Stephen F. Austin State University · J.D., Baylor University School of Law[1]
- Known for
- Early Christian writings, the kingdom of God, nonresistance
- Recorded
- About 200 hour-long messages, 1992–2020, by his own count[4]
Facts checked against 12 published sources · Last reviewed May 26, 2026
New listener
Where should a new listener start?
Start with his own account of his life, then two of his books. Everything below is free to hear.
-
Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up
His first book (1989): early Christianity set beside Christianity today.
-
The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down
His major work (2003) on Jesus’ kingdom message.
Then go deeper:His story, part 2Part 3Why we have misunderstood Romans since A.D. 430An Anabaptist view of salvationEarly Christian beliefs
Books
What books did David Bercot write?
David Bercot’s best-known books are Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up (1989), A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs (1998) and The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down (2003).[3] Most of his books, and his Matthew and Romans commentaries, can be heard free on this site.
In order of publication. Tap a cover to open the book’s page.
Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up
The book that launched Scroll Publishing. It compares early Christianity with modern Christianity. Book details
Common Sense
Seven plain principles for reading Scripture in context, with early Christian writers as witnesses.
A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs
More than 7,000 quotations from early Christian writers, arranged by topic.
The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down
His major work on Jesus’ kingdom message and what it asks of believers.
Intimacy with God
Written by Clement of Alexandria, an early Christian teacher. Bercot put it into modern English.[12]
Will the Theologians Please Sit Down
Why abstract theology should not replace Jesus’ kingdom message.
Secrets of the Kingdom Life
Prayer, devotion, obedience and walking closely with Christ.
Bible commentaries
Matthew: The Chief Gospel
A commentary course on Matthew through early Christian eyes: Jesus’ kingdom teaching, miracles, apostles and parables.
Historic Faith Commentary Series on Romans
Verse by verse through Romans, read the way Christians read Paul before Augustine and Luther.
Does David Bercot have a Matthew commentary?
Yes. Matthew: The Chief Gospel is a free 18-lesson course here on Jesus’ kingdom teaching, miracles, apostles and parables, read the way the early Christians read Matthew. His Romans commentary is here too, in two free audiobooks.
Biography
What is David Bercot’s life story?
Seven short chapters, drawn from the sources listed at the foot of this page. Each ends with recordings where he tells that part himself.
-
Chapter 1 · 1950
A boy from Anchorage
David W. Bercot was born in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1950. Apart from three childhood years in England, he lived mostly in Texas until 2004.[1]
-
Chapter 2 · 1976
Leaving the Watchtower, and a long search
He and his wife left the Jehovah’s Witnesses when he was 26, and he began a serious search for historic Christian truth.[5]
That search took him through Lutheran and Anglican churches. The Anglican claim of apostolic succession persuaded him enough that he became an Anglican priest. In time he concluded that the early Christian sources pointed elsewhere, and he later joined the Anabaptists. He tells this part himself in the interviews listed here; the sources do not give the years.
-
Chapter 3 · 1978–80
The lawyer
He graduated summa cum laude from Stephen F. Austin State University and earned his law degree (J.D.), magna cum laude, from Baylor University School of Law. His law practice was limited to title examination. He is now a retired attorney.[1]
-
Chapter 4 · 1985
Reading the first Christians
In 1985 he began reading the surviving Christian writings from about A.D. 100 to 325, the Ante-Nicene fathers. His own website calls this the turning point of his life and ministry.[2]
Those writings moved his search past the claims of denominations and toward the practical Christianity he found in them: obedience to Jesus, nonresistance, simplicity, baptism and the kingdom of God.
-
Chapter 5 · 1989
A book, then a publisher
In 1989 he published Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up, which set the beliefs of the early Christians beside modern Christianity. The book launched Scroll Publishing.[2]
Common Sense followed in 1992. In 1998 came A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs: more than 7,000 quotations from early Christian writers, arranged by topic.[3]
-
Chapter 6 · 1992
A fellowship in Tyler, Texas
Paul Pavao writes that he joined Bercot in Tyler, Texas, in 1992 to form the Tyler Early Christian Fellowship, an independent fellowship shaped by the early Christian sources.[10]
Over time Bercot’s convictions came to be identified with conservative Anabaptist Christianity: the gathered church, believer’s baptism, nonresistance and kingdom discipleship. His 2003 book The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down is his main work on Jesus’ kingdom message.
-
Chapter 7 · Today
Pennsylvania
He lives in Pennsylvania and attends Chambersburg Christian Fellowship, an Anabaptist church,[1][11] where The Historic Faith identifies him as an elder.
His newest work here is from 2024: a verse-by-verse commentary on Romans and Matthew: The Chief Gospel. He says he recorded about 200 hour-long messages between 1992 and 2020.[4]
Common questions
What denomination is David Bercot? What church does he attend?
David Bercot is a conservative Anabaptist. He lives in Pennsylvania and attends Chambersburg Christian Fellowship, an Anabaptist church in Chambersburg,[1][11] where The Historic Faith identifies him as an elder.
Hear it from him:I became an Anglican priest. Here’s why I left.Why I gave up on apostolic successionWhy did you choose Anabaptism?
What churches was he part of before?
He was a Jehovah’s Witness until he was 26.[5] His search then took him through Lutheran and Anglican churches, where he became a priest, before the early Christian writings led him away from apostolic-succession claims. In 1992 he helped form the Tyler Early Christian Fellowship in Texas.[10]
Is David Bercot Anabaptist?
Yes. His teaching ties the early church to conservative Anabaptist convictions: believer’s baptism, the gathered church, nonresistance and plain obedience to Jesus.
What does David Bercot teach?
David Bercot teaches that Christians should read the Bible alongside the Christians who lived closest to the apostles, the Ante-Nicene fathers. His main themes are the kingdom of God, nonresistance and enemy love, believer’s baptism, salvation, simplicity and church life as the early Christians practiced it.
The early church
What the Christians closest to the apostles believed about doctrine, worship, baptism, salvation and church life.
The kingdom of God
Jesus’ kingdom: enemy love, truthfulness, simplicity and loyalty to Christ above earthly powers.
Nonresistance
Enemy love and nonresistance, and a challenge to patriotic Christianity drawn from Jesus and the early church.
Anabaptism
How the early church lines up with Anabaptist baptism, the gathered church and practical obedience.
Romans before Augustine
Paul read in his Greek, Jewish and early Christian world, before later Augustinian and Reformation debates.
The Bible and the Septuagint
The Bible in its historical setting, including how early Christians used the Septuagint and related writings.
Is David Bercot still teaching?
David Bercot’s newest work here is from 2024: Matthew: The Chief Gospel and the Historic Faith Commentary Series on Romans. He says he recorded about 200 hour-long messages between 1992 and 2020.[4]
Newest:Matthew courseRomans commentaryHis message about the recordings
Was David Bercot a Jehovah’s Witness?
Yes. David Bercot is a former Jehovah’s Witness. He and his wife left the movement when he was 26, and he began searching for historic Christian truth.[5] He speaks to Witnesses in his Watchtower in Question talks.
Hear it from him:I was once a Jehovah’s WitnessThinking of leaving? Listen firstAll 5 Watchtower talks
What is Scroll Publishing?
Scroll Publishing is the publisher David Bercot founded. His 1989 book Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up launched it,[2] and it carries his books and recorded teaching on early Christianity and the Ante-Nicene fathers.
The history and vision of Scroll PublishingScroll Publishing biography
What is Sound Faith?
Sound Faith is a teaching channel and podcast connected with Chambersburg Christian Fellowship.[9] The Historic Faith hosts many Sound Faith videos with transcripts, including his Romans series and his Watchtower in Question talks.
Free library
Where can I listen to David Bercot sermons free?
Right here. The Historic Faith has 10 audiobooks, 18 courses, 7 Q&A episodes and 93 of his talks and interviews, from Sound Faith, Anabaptist Perspectives, Scroll Publishing and more, all free to hear.
Audiobooks 10
Audiobook catalogCourses 18
All courses
“What is the Historic Christian Faith?”
The Life of the Early Christians
Matthew: The Chief Gospel
Romans Explained 
Salvation: Mechanical or Relational?
Radical Christian Living
Bible and Early Church History
Christian Citizenship
Church Life: AD 150
Divine Mysteries: Exploring the Trinity, Evil, and Human Destiny
Divine Secrets: Decoding 666, Antichrist, and the Rapture
Historical Kingdom Christian Movements
How to Arrive at Truth Through Critical Thinking
The Bible: Exploring Facts and Myths About the Word of God
The Claims of Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy
The Myth of Christian America
True Greatness
Truth about Baptism: Infant or Believers
Sermons, talks and interviews 93
Every talk in these topics names him in its title. Tap a topic to open it.
His story and church journey7
I Was Once a Jehovah's Witness — David Bercot — Ep. 057
I Became an Anglican Priest. Here’s Why I Left. — David Bercot — Ep. 209
Why I Gave Up on Apostolic Succession
Gospel Simplicity, Austin Suggs Interviews David Bercot. Why Did You Choose Anabaptism?
David Bercot's Lessons From Life Series - Part 1
The History and Vision of Scroll Publishing - David Bercot | KFW 2017
The Story of David Bercot
Romans, verse by verse24
Why We’ve Misunderstood the Book of Romans Since 430 A.D.
Romans Series - Part 1 - David Bercot- What The Early Christians Believed About The Book of Romans
Romans Series Intro - Part 2
Not Saved By Faith Alone, Not Grace Alone, Works Are Essential, Romans Series, Part 6, David Bercot
Calvinism, Unconditional Election & Free Will – Romans 9
Romans Does Not Mean What You think It means! Romans #9
But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Romans Part 3 - Romans 1:1-9
Romans Series - Part 4 - Romans 1:10-19
No One Is Righteous? He Who Practices Righteousness Is Righteous! Romans part 8
Romans Series Part 5 - Romans 1:20-32 - Ideas Have Consequences
David Bercot - Early Christian Understanding of Romans 2 - Romans Series Part 7 - Law or law
Calvinist's Central Doctrine - Romans 9 Part 3 of 3
Imputed Righteousness Without Good Works? Romans Series Part 11 David Bercot
Propitiation By His Blood? David Bercot, Romans Series Part 10
Does God Arbitrarily Elect and Condemn Us? Romans 9 - Part 1 of 3
Romans Series Part 13, Romans Chapter 5:12
Life In Christ - HIS Way or Ours? - Romans Part 12
Romans 9 & Predestination? Romans 9 - Part 2 of 3
Romans 13 Human Governments - David Bercot - Romans Series #14
What The Early Christians Believed About The Book Of Romans
How to Rightly Read Romans
S2S Books: "Romans Commentary"
"Romans Made Simple"
David Bercot Romans Made Simple
Salvation and the atonement9
What the Early Christians Believed about Salvation. David Bercot- Scroll Publishing - Faith Alone
An Anabaptist View of Salvation — David Bercot — Ep. 078
Atonement Theories Should NOT Divide Christians
No, the Early Church Did Not Teach Penal Substitutionary Atonement
Not Worth Dividing For Part 2 - Atonement Questions Answered - THF Q&A With David Bercot
Not Worth Dividing For Part 2 - Atonement Questions Answered - THF Q&A With David Bercot
Atonement Models: Not in the Early Church Writings
Seven Things the Early Church Believed About the Atonement
Can Penal Substitutionary Atonement Turn People Away from God?
The early church and church history14
Tertullian: An Introduction — David Bercot — Ep. 105
When Theology Became More Important Than Lifestyle - The Historic Faith Encounter
The Trinity, the Early Church, and Contemporary Critics — David Bercot – Ep. 213
Justin Martyr: An Introduction — David Bercot — Ep. 115
The Day Christianity Changed - David Bercot - The Historic Faith Encounter
The Church Did NOT Fall Apart After the Apostles
Lessons from Church History — David Bercot — Ep. 120
"Sacred Roots: Why Study the Early Christians"
Chronological Snobbery
What the Early Christians Believed about Easter. Was Easter Pagan? David Bercot
Chronological Snobbery Part 2
"Are We Really Better Than the Early Church?"Chronological Snobbery – Part 3
How NOT to Explain the Trinity
How Exactly is Jesus a Son?
Baptism and church life9
The Truth About Baptism. What is Baptism? David Bercot
Menno-Protestants
Did the Early Church Practice Infant Baptism?
Acts 15 Exposed: The Real Story of Christianity's Most Overlooked Decision
Menno-Protestants 2
I Accepted, then Rejected, Infant Baptism Because of Early Church Writings
Communion Bread : Unleavened or Leavened
Deacons
Beyond the Sinner’s Prayer: Steps to True Christian Baptism
The Bible, the Septuagint and the Apocrypha11
Is the King James Version God’s Only Preserved Word?
The Apocrypha and the Early Church— David Bercot — Ep. 066
The Septuagint — David Bercot — Ep. 063
"Sacred Writings: The Deuterocanonicals: Your Friend or Foe?"
Proof Texting : How Out-of-Context Bible Quotes Can Mislead You
The Historic Faith Presents: How to Arrive at Truth Through Critical Thinking
What if Christianity is True - Part 1
David Bercot Matthew Commentary
Amazing Bible Prophecies - What if Christianity is True? Part 2
The Historic Faith Presents: How to Arrive at Truth Through Critical Thinking
Why Didn’t God Preserve Bible Manuscripts Word for Word?
The kingdom, nonresistance and politics7
The American Revolution and the Kingdom of God — David Bercot — Ep. 046
“The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down”
The Gospel Age Began Before Jesus’ Death & Resurrection
Christians and Politics : A Challenge from History - Intro Part 1 of 5 - Dean Taylor & David Bercot
Voting and Politics: Podcast Q&A with David Bercot and Dean Taylor :Christians and Politics Part 4
Voting and Predestination
In Guns We Trust
Everyday Christian living7
For Jehovah’s Witnesses5
If You Are Thinking of Leaving JWs, Please Listen to This First - David Bercot - WATCHTOWER IN? NO.1
Did Jesus Die on a Cross or a Torture Stake? WATCHTOWER in Question?
Can a Jehovah's Witness Believe in the Trinity? - WATCHTOWER In Question #2
Forgiving the Watchtower - David Bercot - Watchtower in Question - Are Thinking of Leaving JWs?
Proverbs 8:22 Was Jesus Created? The Watchtower In Question - #3 David Bercot
Q&A episodes 7
Full Q&A library
Ep. 031 — A Lawyer’s Quest for the Truth: The Story of David Bercot – Part 1 of 3
Ep. 032 — The Impact of Constantine on Early Christianity – The Story of David Bercot – Part 2 of 3
Ep. 033 — The Simple Gospel Message – The Story of David Bercot – Part 3 of 3
What Motivated You to Explore American History and Create Your Content?
Ep. 007 — David Bercot – Christian Influence on the Founding of America
Ep. 004 — David Bercot & Dean Taylor – Voting & Politics
Ep. 003 — David Bercot – Future Things
Also from the same channels
41 videos where the title does not name him as the speaker41
These came from the same channels (mostly Sound Faith and Anabaptist Perspectives). Some are clearly by other teachers, such as Andre Bercot, Dean Taylor and Jason Willis. They are not counted as his talks.
Christian Head Covering Testimony, History of the Head Covering, NOT WHAT YOU THINK! - Daniel Willis
The Kingdom of God
Questions About the Atonement
Early Christians Answer About, Laying on of Hands, Sola Scriptura, The Beard, and The Headcovering!
I Was a New Age Gothic. Then I Saw Every Knee Bows to Jesus - Susie Coyne
Why I Left the Army and What I’ve Learned Since Then - Tania Taylor
"The Headcovering - The Beauty of a Woman & the Beginning of Modesty!" - Jason Willis
Yes, the Early Church Taught Penal Substitutionary Atonement - Dean Taylor
Keeping The Sabbath Day Holy? Is The Sabbath For Today? Are Anabaptist Keeping The Sabbath - Leo Eby
Romans 8:35 Most Misunderstood Passage in the World Today
How to Spot Fallacies
Humility, Merited Favor, and Defeating Satan - Jason Willis
Serving Christ among Anglicans, Mennonites, & More — Sister Judy — Ep. 201
Christians Have No Rights, Fight For Christian Rights, One Nation Under God, Christian Nationalism?
Christians and Politics Part 2 : Biblical, Patristic, and Early Anabaptist Perspective - Dean Taylor
We Need Catechesis! Quit Baptizing People Before They Are Ready! - Stephen Russell
"Does My Understanding of the Atonement Matter?" by Philip Hess
How Serving in China Brought Me to Anabaptism — Ep. 128
Do Anabaptists Affirm Early Church Creeds?
Swords Into Plowshares Is Christian War! The Early Christian Beliefs!
Not One Degree Off Course - Defense of The Sermon of the Mount. PART 5 Non-resistance, Pacifism.
The Sin of Covetousness - Covet Not - Andre Bercot
The Church's responsibility during the pandemic.
"Sacred Writings: The Bible Jesus Read" by Chuck Pike
The Christians During the Revolutionary War
The Paradigm Reversal - From The Beginning It Was Not So - Bill Shiley
What I Learned from the Chinese Church — Ep. 133
"The Superior King" Intro to The Book of Hebrews Part 1 - Jason Willis
The Kingdom & Paul’s Gospel — Marlin Sommers
Gossip: Not a Minor Sin
Church Planting Related Issues - Panel Discussion | CGS 2019
Kindness A Key to Building God's Kingdom - Andre Bercot
Complaining Andre Bercot
"The Complaint Trap: How Grumbling Distorts Our View of God" Andre Bercot
Envy, An Ultimate Saboteur - Andre Bercot
The Responsibilities of a Deacon
The Practice of Humility - Andre Bercot
Romans Made Simple
The Bible: Authenticated by Fulfilled Prophecy
Shamanism, Drugs, Atheism, and Finding God in China - Nils
God's Commandments: Are They Good for Us? - Andre Bercot
No titles match. Try a shorter word, or pick a topic above.
Audiobook catalogAll coursesFull Q&A libraryAll our teachers
Sources
Where these answers come from
Last reviewed May 26, 2026. Checked against DavidBercot.com, Scroll Publishing, The Historic Faith, Anabaptist Perspectives, Chambersburg Christian Fellowship, Open Library and Sound Faith. Each number [n] on this page points to one source below.
About this page. It is written and kept by The Historic Faith, which hosts his recordings. It is not written by David Bercot. Where no outside source gives a fact, the page says so or leaves it out.
- Scroll Publishing biography — birth, education, law, church
- DavidBercot.com — his 1985 study of the early Christians
- Books Written — his own book list
- A Message from David Bercot — about 200 messages, 1992–2020
- A Lawyer’s Quest for the Truth — his life story, part 1
- Anabaptist Perspectives: An Anabaptist View of Salvation
- Anabaptist Perspectives contributor page
- Open Library author page
- Sound Faith on Apple Podcasts
- Paul Pavao on the Tyler Early Christian Fellowship
- Chambersburg Christian Fellowship
- Scroll Publishing: Intimacy with God — Clement of Alexandria, translated by Bercot (2008)