Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.

“Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.” (Acts 11:22, AV) I was raised surf-fishing on the New Jersey shore. Every weekend my dad would pack us up in the jeep on Saturday morningContinue reading “Joining In (Acts 11:19-26)”

“So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, ‘You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.’” (Acts 11:2-3, ESV) When I worked in manufacturing management, I discovered that it was very easy to point the finger at someone based upon the circumstances. Often, I would come into the plantContinue reading “Determination (Acts 11:1-18)”

“And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” (Acts 10:45–46, AV) One evening while I was serving in the Army, I was inContinue reading “Signs of Change (Acts 10:44-11:18)”

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 10:44–45, AV) Years ago, I was theContinue reading “Sinner’s Prayer (Acts 10:44-48)”

“To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”” (Acts 10:43, ESV) Several times, I have met people who were convinced that they had sinned in a way that they considered so grievous that they could not be forgiven by God. A woman cameContinue reading “Forgiven (Acts 10:34-43)”

“So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” (Acts 10:33, ESV) There have been a few times in my life when I was really hungry. ThereContinue reading “Hunger (Acts 10:30-33)”

“And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”” (Acts 10:15, ESV) My last pastoral ministry was in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The church ran a soup-kitchen where they would feed a hot lunch to about a hundred people every Tuesday. Many of these people livedContinue reading “A New Viewpoint (Acts 10:9-16)”

“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the dayContinue reading “A Memorial (Acts 10:1-8)”

“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. . . And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.” (Acts 9:40-42, AV) In 1987, we movedContinue reading “New Life (Acts 9:40-43)”

“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” (Acts 9:39, AV) A movie titled “Get Low” was released in 2009 that featured aContinue reading “Being Missed (Acts 9:36-39)”