Alan Smith‘s Podcasts

What does it mean to pledge allegiance to God's Word, and how can Christians recognize false teaching? In Acts 20, Paul gives the Ephesian elders a serious farewell message about faithfulness, spiritual deception, persecution, and the responsibility to guard the church.

In this lesson, Alan Smith examines the Pledge to the Bible, built from Psalm 119:11 and Psalm 119:105:

"I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's holy word. I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God."

The teaching also covers Paul's ministry in Ephesus, his public and house-to-house preaching, the gospel of the grace of God, and the difference between biblical faith and false spiritual claims. Special attention is given to Gnosticism, the danger of pursuing secret knowledge or exaggerated spirituality, and the need to measure every teaching against Scripture.

Alan also explains Paul's message to both Jews and Greeks, the relationship between repentance and faith, and Paul's warning in Romans 11 concerning Israel and the Gentile church. The central challenge is clear: Christians must know God's Word well enough to distinguish truth from error, remain loyal to Scripture, and grow in the likeness of Jesus rather than seeking spiritual status.

Watch Lesson 126 of "Acts with Paul's Writings" from The Smith and Rowland Show and follow Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:17-38.

Learn more about New Life Church: https://www.newlifenc.com

#Acts20 #BibleStudy #GodsWord #PaulTheApostle #ChristianTeaching

What does it mean to pledge allegiance, and how should that commitment shape a Christian's life?

In Lesson 125 of the study of Acts and Paul's writings, Alan Smith examines the history of the Pledge of Allegiance and its connection to Baptist pastor Francis Bellamy, the author of the pledge and an early leader in the development of Vacation Bible School.

The lesson follows the pledge through its major revisions, including the change from "my flag" to "the flag of the United States" and the addition of the words "under God" in 1954 during the Cold War. These historical details lead to a larger biblical challenge: Christians must consider where their loyalty belongs and whether allegiance to God, Christ, the Bible, the local church, and the responsibilities of faith still shapes their daily decisions.

Alan also connects this discussion to Paul's warnings in Acts and Colossians about false teaching. The danger isn't always an open rejection of Jesus Christ. Sometimes other beliefs and priorities are added until Christ and the authority of God's Word no longer hold first place.

This teaching addresses:

 * The history of the Pledge of Allegiance
 * Francis Bellamy and the origins of Vacation Bible School
 * The meaning of "under God"
 * Biblical loyalty, faithfulness, and covenant commitment
 * The connection between allegiance and Christian discipleship
 * Paul's warnings about false teaching in Colossians
 * The importance of belonging to and serving a local church
 * The difference between allegiance to God and allegiance to self
 * The meaning of Hebrew concepts related to covenant loyalty and steadfast love

This message prepares the way for a future lesson on pledging allegiance to the Word of God. Watch, examine the Scriptures, and consider whether your loyalty to Christ is visible in the way you live.

#BibleStudy #BookOfActs #ChristianDiscipleship #PledgeOfAllegiance #NewLifeChurch

Paul's journey through Troas brings Acts 20:6-12 to life, from long nights of apostolic teaching to the dramatic raising of Eutychus after his fall from a third-story window.

In Lesson 124 of A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings, Alan Smith examines Paul's travels from Philippi to Troas, the early church gathering on the first day of the week, the breaking of bread, and the importance of sound biblical teaching. The message also considers Paul's Jewish heritage, the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, and how these themes can be understood within the Christian life.

The study addresses the importance of reading Scripture in context, especially when considering spiritual gifts, church order, Sabbath observance, prophecy, and passages that have often been debated. Paul valued the Jewish feasts while preaching the freedom found through God's grace, offering a helpful picture of how the New Testament fits together.

The lesson also follows Paul's decision to travel by land from Troas toward Assos, his route through the Aegean region, and his choice to bypass Ephesus while calling for its elders to meet him at Miletus. That meeting sets the stage for Paul's farewell address, where he will warn the Ephesian elders about persecution, false teachers, and their responsibility to protect the church.

Watch this Bible study for a careful look at Acts 20, Paul's ministry, the miracle involving Eutychus, and the lessons this passage offers to churches and believers today.

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#BookOfActs #BibleStudy #PaulAtTroas #ChristianTeaching #TheSmithAndRowlandShow

What does the Apostle Paul's journey in Acts 20 reveal about the Holy Spirit, Christian fellowship, and the responsibility believers carry when they gather?

In Lesson 123 of A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings, Alan Smith examines Paul's travels through Macedonia and Greece, his decision to travel back through Macedonia after a plot against his life, and the team of disciples who accompanied him. The lesson also connects Acts 20 with Paul's letters, especially 2 Corinthians, to provide greater context for his ministry, suffering, leadership, and relationship with the churches.

This study focuses on the spiritual importance of gathering together. Each believer brings something into the room, and the presence of God can work through the words, faith, humility, and obedience of the whole congregation. The message encourages viewers to consider what they bring when they meet with other believers and how a church can become more aware of the Holy Spirit.

The teaching also addresses Paul's ministry approach. He preached to congregations and met with believers from house to house, showing that both forms of fellowship have a place in the life of the church. The goal is active participation in the body of Christ, not passive attendance.

The lesson includes historical background on Balls Creek Camp Meeting in North Carolina and the camp meeting tradition that developed during the Second Great Awakening. That history provides a local example of how Christian gatherings have encouraged worship, preaching, fellowship, and spiritual renewal across generations.

Watch this study of Acts 20 to follow Paul's route, understand the setting behind 2 Corinthians, and reflect on how believers can make room for the presence and work of God when they gather.

#BookOfActs #Acts20 #PaulTheApostle #BibleStudy #HolySpirit

What does it mean to be a righteous person after failure? In this lesson on Acts 19 and Paul's ministry, Alan Smith examines the difference between falling and refusing to get back up.

As Paul faces opposition in Ephesus, the message of God's grace reaches the center of the teaching. A just man may fall, but he rises again. Failure doesn't have the final word when repentance, grace, and the support of the church lead a believer forward.

This message also includes a special commissioning prayer for Kevin Michelin, who serves with Samaritan's Purse in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The congregation prays for his work rebuilding homes, reaching families, and ministering to people whose lives have been disrupted.

Throughout the lesson, you'll hear practical teaching on:

 * The grace of God and the power of repentance
 * Why getting back up matters more than focusing on the fall
 * Paul's message of grace in the book of Acts
 * How religious condemnation differs from God's mercy
 * The need for encouragement within the church
 * Spiritual strength in times of failure and opposition
 * Paul's determination to finish his course and ministry

Drawing from Proverbs 24:16, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Acts 20:24, this study points believers back to the sufficiency of God's grace. No one is beyond restoration, and no failure can cancel God's call when a person turns back to Him.

Watch Lesson 122 from "A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings" and consider how the Holy Spirit calls the church to encourage, restore, and commission one another.

#BookOfActs #BibleStudy #GodsGrace #ChristianTeaching #NewLifeChurch

What do open doors, difficult trials, and spiritual maturity have in common? In Acts 19, the Apostle Paul faces opposition, public unrest, and the threat of legal trouble, yet God uses the rule of law to protect Paul and his companions.

In Lesson 121 of A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings, the teaching examines the riot in Ephesus, the role of the town clerk, and the conflict between the gospel, idolatry, and financial gain. The message also connects Acts 19 and Acts 20 with Paul's letters, including 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Romans.

The lesson addresses several important themes:

 * Why studying God's Word is essential for anyone who preaches or teaches
 * H.B. Charles Jr.'s well-known statement about preaching without a burden to study
 * The difference between a contract and God's covenant with Abraham
 * Why the church does not replace Israel
 * How Paul's Jewish training shaped his ministry and writings
 * The way God can use civil authorities to protect His people
 * How a crisis can become an open door, depending on our response
 * The connection between Paul's missionary journeys and his letters to the churches
 * How God gives revelation and understanding throughout the biblical story

The teaching closes with Paul's journey toward Jerusalem and the connection between Acts 20 and the writing of Paul's letters. Follow along in your Bible as the study continues through Acts 19 and into the next stage of Paul's ministry.

#BookOfActs #BibleStudy #ApostlePaul #ChristianTeaching #TheSmithAndRowlandShow

Acts 19 comes alive in this lesson as Alan Smith walks through Paul's ministry in Ephesus, the open doors God gives, and the weight that comes with influence. This teaching connects the Bible text to everyday Christian living, showing why access is never the whole story. Once God opens a door, accountability follows, and the real question becomes how that door is stewarded.

This message also ties in a Fourth of July reflection on George Washington and the founding of the United States, then turns back to Scripture with a clear warning about spiritual conflict, mob mentality, and the danger of emotion without truth. Alan breaks down the riot in Ephesus, the role of Alexander, the crowd shouting for Diana of the Ephesians, and the pressure that comes when the gospel confronts false worship and economic interests.

If you want a straight Bible study that stays in the text while pressing into practical application, this episode is for you. It challenges believers to think carefully about influence, obedience, responsibility, and what happens when God opens a door that leads to real change.

Watch this lesson for a grounded study of Acts 19, Paul's missionary journey, and the call to live with spiritual awareness in a confused culture.

#BookOfActs #Acts19 #BibleStudy #PaulTheApostle #ChristianTeaching

In this lesson from Acts and Paul's writings, the focus lands on divine protection, open doors, accountability, and how God leads His people with truth that keeps unfolding.

This message moves through Charles Finney, the Second Great Awakening, and the shift away from rigid Calvinism toward the clear call of the gospel. It also covers progressive revelation, the law of last mention, and why Scripture has to be read in context, not pulled apart verse by verse. Along the way, Alan Smith talks about the role of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, the need for discernment, and why believers should test what they hear against the Word of God.

You'll also hear a strong challenge about personal responsibility in the faith. God opens doors, but open doors bring influence, and influence brings accountability. That truth sits at the center of this teaching. If you've ever wanted a clearer view of how the early church, revival history, and present-day Christian life connect, this study gives you plenty to think about.

Watch closely, take notes, and compare everything with Scripture.

#BookOfActs #PaulsWritings #CharlesFinney #HolySpirit #ChristianTeaching

Welcome to Lesson 118 in this study of the Book of Acts with Paul's writings included.

In this message, Alan Smith walks through Acts 19:30-41 and draws out a hard truth many believers miss, people often pray for an open door, but few are ready for what comes with it. The lesson focuses on Paul's courage, the counsel he received from unexpected sources, and the chaos that can follow when a crowd loses sight of the facts.

Before moving into the passage, Allan also gives rich background on John and Charles Wesley, the Great Awakening, and the history behind Methodism. That history matters, because it ties the call to preach, teach, and remain faithful back to the kind of work Paul was doing in Acts. The message also highlights the difference between simply hearing a sermon and actually hearing the Word of God.

As the teaching moves into Ephesus, the discussion turns to the theater, the riot, and the public uproar around Paul's message. Alan points out how influence creates accountability, how mob thinking spreads, and why believers need discernment when emotion takes over. He also presses an important warning about speculation, spiritual pride, and confusing noise with truth.

If you want a Bible study that stays close to Scripture while also bringing in church history, personal application, and straight talk about faithfulness, this lesson will give you plenty to think about. The main call is clear, when God opens a door, the question is whether we'll move in obedience and stay faithful with what He has given.

#BookOfActs #Acts19 #BibleStudy #NewLifeChurch #PaulTheApostle

Paul's message in Acts 19 brought a city to a standstill, and this lesson shows why. In Lesson 117 of A Study of the Book of Acts with Paul's Writings, Alan Smith teaches through the uproar in Ephesus, the clash with idol makers, and the power of the gospel to confront culture, profit, and pride.

This teaching keeps the focus on a simple but hard truth, the gospel changes people, and changed people affect the world around them. From Demetrius and the silver shrines of Artemis to the growing tension in the great theater at Ephesus, the passage shows how quickly truth can shake a city built on lies. Alan also connects the text to real life, calling believers to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, faithful in their place, and ready to stand for Christ with wisdom.

You'll hear a clear walk through Acts 19:26-41, along with practical insight on idolatry, spiritual calling, cultural pressure, and what it means to let the gospel shape both belief and behavior. This is a strong reminder that every believer has a part in the body of Christ, and that showing up matters.

If you want a deeper study of Acts, a biblical look at the first-century church, and a message that speaks directly to faith in everyday life, this teaching is for you.

Join us for worship, study, and a fresh look at how Paul faced opposition without backing down from the truth.

#BookOfActs #Acts19 #BibleStudy #NewLifeChurch #TheSmithAndRowlandShow