Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.

“Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that wasContinue reading “No Couch-Potato (Acts 20:17-21)”

“And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.” (Acts 20:9, AV) I heard this story some time back. A young pastor oneContinue reading “Stay Alert (Acts 20:1-16)”

“Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.” (Acts 19:38–39, AV) In our country there are variousContinue reading “Government (Acts 19:38-20:1)”

“Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.” (Acts 19:36–37, ESV) In the previous devotion dealing with clashing worldviews, one concluding thought was that we need to witness graciously. TheContinue reading “Share With Grace Acts 19:35-41)”

“And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.” (Acts 19:29, AV) I remember turbulent times during the era of the Vietnam conflict. There were protests in the streets and in the universities. People wereContinue reading “Clashing Views (Acts 19:28-34)”

“For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, butContinue reading “Religious Business (Acts 19:21-27)”

“And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” (Acts 19:18–19, AV) When I went to the Army Ranger SchoolContinue reading “Surrender (Acts 18-20)”

“Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth . . .  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (ActsContinue reading “In the Name Of (Acts 19:11-20)”

“But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews andContinue reading “Outreach (Acts 19:8-10)”

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” (Acts 19:2, AV) A short while after being called to pastor in New Hampshire, I began a small group Bible study in my home.Continue reading “Unique Pertinence (Acts 19:1-7)”