Alan Smith‘s Podcasts

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 104 - Chapter 19 - Receive the Holy Spirit

Some believers in Acts 19 were sincere but still missing something. This lesson shows how Paul helped them receive the Holy Spirit.

In Lesson 104 (Acts 19:4-7), Paul arrives in Ephesus and meets disciples who only know John's baptism of repentance. They haven't even heard of the Holy Ghost, so Paul fills in the gap. They respond right away, they're baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and then Paul lays hands on them. As a result, the Holy Spirit comes on them, and they speak in tongues and prophesy.

This teaching also keeps things practical. It highlights why a teachable spirit matters, how we can learn the gospel in "pieces" over a lifetime, and why obedience often comes before you feel faith. You'll also hear thoughts on impartation, the laying on of hands, and why chasing a "fake" spiritual gift costs more than waiting on God.

Recorded at Church with Alan Smith, from The Smith and Rowland Show.

#Acts #HolySpirit #BibleStudy #Church #Paul

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 103 - Chapter 19 - Ephesus - Part 4

Acts 19 in real life, Paul meets disciples in Ephesus who had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Lesson 103 shows why that detail still matters for the Church today.

The focus stays on Acts 19:1-7 and Paul's steady gospel work in Ephesus. You'll hear a clear case for keeping the message centered on Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, then trusting the Holy Spirit to confirm that gospel with His own witness.

This session also connects Acts with Paul's writings, especially Ephesians 5:18. The call is simple and demanding, don't run on yesterday's strength, keep on being filled. Along the way, this teaching presses a key contrast many believers feel but rarely name, you can be on the right side of Easter (pardon) and still live on the wrong side of Pentecost (power).

Topics covered in this lesson:

 * Acts 19:1-7, the disciples of John become Christians
 * Why Paul preached Christ plainly, not hype
 * The Holy Spirit as witness to the gospel
 * "Be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), ongoing, daily dependence
 * Why spiritual frustration often points to living in your own strength
 * The difference between being saved and being empowered to live the Christian life

If this study helps you, share it with a friend, subscribe, and follow the weekly Acts series as it continues line upon line.

#BookOfActs #Paul #HolySpirit #BibleTeaching #Church

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 102 - Chapter 19 - Ephesus - Part 3

You can believe in Jesus and still miss the daily filling of the Holy Spirit. In Lesson 102, Acts 19 takes us to Ephesus where Paul asks a simple question that changes everything: have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

This teaching keeps it plain and practical. It connects everyday life to spiritual growth, then walks through Scripture to show why understanding matters. Faith matters but understanding produces fruit. You'll also hear a clear breakdown of what happens once, and what must keep happening as you press into God's presence.

In this message:
Paul's approach in Acts, teaching for understanding, not pressure or hype

Why Matthew 13 ties fruitfulness to understanding the Word

Faith plus understanding equals wisdom

One-time works of the Spirit (born, baptized into the body, indwelt, sealed)

Ongoing filling (Ephesians 5:18) and what it looks like in real life

Why New Life values character over talent, and Christ over personalities

If you want a stronger grasp of Acts, Paul's method, and how the Holy Spirit works in the life of a believer, this lesson will help you steady your footing and grow with patience.

Subscribe for more teachings from The Smith and Rowland Show and share this with someone who wants more than surface-level faith.

#BookOfActs #HolySpirit #BibleTeaching #Paul #Jesus

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 101 - Chapter 18-19 - Ephesus - Part 2

Lesson 101 continues our Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's writings, covering Acts 18 to 19 with a focus on Ephesus. This teaching tracks Paul's third missionary journey, then follows Apollos in Ephesus as a strong, Scripture-rooted speaker who still needed fuller instruction beyond John's baptism.

You'll also hear why God holds us responsible for the light we've received, how obedience ties to growth, and why humility and mentorship matter in the Church (through Priscilla and Aquila's example). The message closes by clarifying key ways Scripture speaks about the Holy Spirit, including the new birth, baptism into the body, indwelling, sealing, and the ongoing filling of the Spirit.

Subscribe for more Bible teaching through Acts, Paul's letters, and steady, practical discipleship.

#BookOfActs #ApostlePaul #Ephesus #HolySpirit #Church

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 100 - Chapter 18 - Ephesus

Lesson 100 in our Acts study lands in Acts 18 and the start of Paul’s third missionary journey. This session tracks Paul’s route from Ephesus to Caesarea, a visit to the Church in Jerusalem, then on to Antioch, Galatia, and beyond, with one clear purpose: strengthening the disciples.

You’ll also hear a strong call to daily spiritual nourishment, why the Church gathers, and what real strengthening looks like (not hype, but steady growth, endurance, and stability). The teaching closes with Acts 18:24-28 and Apollos in Ephesus, a gifted teacher who knew the Scriptures and the baptism of John but needed fuller instruction.

#Acts #ApostlePaul #BookOfActs #BibleStudy #Church

Thinking - February 1, 2026

Snowy Sunday at New Life Church turned into a timely Sermon on Thinking, clarity, and how believers can know God’s will. This message challenges “borrowed” thoughts and calls the Church to intentional, Bible-shaped thinking that renews the mind (Romans 12:1-2).

You’ll hear practical teaching from key passages, including Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:2, and 2 Corinthians 10:5, on taking thoughts captive, setting your mind on things above, and rejecting vain imaginations. The sermon also draws a sharp line between rude speech and truthful clarity, because real kingdom thinking can bring conviction without cruelty.

If you want a faith-grounded way to think, speak, and live with conviction in a noisy culture, this one’s for you. Subscribe to The Smith and Rowland Show for more messages from New Life Church.

#Church #Thinking #Sermon #ChristianTeaching #BibleStudy

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 99 - Chapter 18 - Paul's Journey Letters

Acts 18 comes alive with practical wisdom for real life. This lesson follows Paul after the courtroom scene in Corinth and into the next stretch of his journey, from public conflict to steady ministry steps.

Key moments include the beating of Sosthenes before Gallio and what that teaches about contempt, public disputes, and the cost of standing too close to someone else’s fight. There’s also clear counsel for believers living in tense times, keep your speech peaceable, tell the truth without exaggeration, don’t repay insult with insult, and trust God with outcomes you can’t control.

The study also tracks Paul’s vow, his disciplined private devotion, and the travel notes that show how long-term faithfulness works, teach, endure, leave well, follow up, repeat. Paul reaches Ephesus, reasons in the synagogue, then moves on with purpose, leaving truth behind and returning when God allows.

#Acts #Paul #BibleStudy #BookOfActs #ChristianDiscipleship

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 98 - Chapter 18 - Gallio - Part 2

Paul in Acts 18 hits a pressure point, and God uses Gallio’s courtroom to keep the gospel moving. This lesson stays close to the text (Acts 18:12-17), showing how a legal precedent can protect ministry, even when the charges are framed as “law” instead of religion.

You’ll also hear a practical warning about chasing “deep” spiritual topics without the understanding to match. The gospel is simple and strong, and it’s easy to lose the point when pride or curiosity takes the lead. The call is clear, stick to the mission, keep the message plain, and let truth shape a steady witness.

If you want Bible teaching that connects Acts to everyday Christian life, subscribe and follow the series. New lessons are posted regularly.

#Acts #Paul #Gallio #BibleTeaching #ChristianSermon

A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings - Lesson 97 - Chapter 18 - Gallio - January 5, 2025

Obedience comes before empowerment. In this lesson from Acts 18 (Lesson 97), see how Jesus’ words in Luke 24 set the pattern: start where he says, move when he says, and trust God to meet you there.

This session follows Paul in Corinth as he faces rejection, keeps preaching, and receives a night vision that gives him clear direction: don’t fear, speak up, and stay steady because the Lord is with him. You’ll also see why Paul remained in the city for a year and six months, and how the mission of the Great Commission brings unity to the church when it stays central.

The teaching closes with Paul brought before Gallio, a tense moment that shows how fast pressure can rise, and why accusations, suspicion, and religious games can’t be allowed to steer the church off course.

#BookOfActs #ApostlePaul #Acts18 #BibleStudy #ChristianTeaching

The Mission - December 28, 2025

Last Sunday of the year, one clear word for 2026, the Church has a Mission. This message calls Christians back to the Great Commission, not as a slogan, but as the daily work of making disciples through the power and presence of Jesus.

You’ll hear a direct challenge to stay on mission, keep unity tied to the mission, and measure success by faithfulness, not a scoreboard. The message also shares a practical next step for our Church family, including expanded Sunday morning classes and a proposed building addition to support discipleship, prayer, baptism, and ministry for the next generation.

If you’re hungry for a focused, Bible-shaped view of Christianity and what the Church is meant to do, this is for you.

#Mission #Christianity #Church #GreatCommission #Discipleship