Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.

“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” (Acts 16:10, AV) When I was in the military, I often heard the following. “There was the right way, the wrong way, and the captain’s way.”Continue reading “Better Plans (Acts 16:6-15)”

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” (Acts 16:3, AV) In the 1850’s, a missionary named Hudson Taylor went to China. In China, he took a revolutionary approach toContinue reading “Bring No Offense (Acts 16:1-5)”

“And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” (Acts 15:39–41, AV) WhenContinue reading “Imperfect Servant (Acts 15:36-40)”

“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner . . . So when they were dismissed, they cameContinue reading “In Writing (Acts 15:22-35)”

“The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.”Continue reading “Civilized Debate (Acts 15:6-22)”

“But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” (Acts 15:5, AV) One of the jobs I had was to set up a field service office for a German printing press manufacturer inContinue reading “Legalistic Problems (Acts 15:1-5)”

“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to JerusalemContinue reading “Mistruth Destroys (Acts 15:1-5)”

“And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” (Acts 14:27, ESV) Often, I have heard people share testimonies and the focus seems to be on the person sharing. I hear a lot ofContinue reading “Inspiring Reports (Acts 14:24-28)”

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they hadContinue reading “Prepared Church (Acts 14:21-23)”

“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”Continue reading “Divine Protection (Acts 14:19-23)”