His Hands Church

We’re in Acts Chapter 12! King Herod begins persecuting the church, James becomes the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, and Peter is arrested and chained between guards awaiting trial.

We talk about Peter’s miraculous prison escape, angels and supernatural experiences, and the rise and fall of Herod. We also get into the danger of needing people’s approval and what happens when a leader begins to accept the worship that belongs to God.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Bible Translation Talk
03:40 – Which Bible Translation Is Best?
07:03 – Acts 12: James Is Killed & Peter Is Arrested<...

Finish By Faith | Part of the Jesus Not Religion Series

ABOUT US

Website: https://http://www.hishandschurch.com/

Facebook:  /HisHandsChurch

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*All verses are NIV unless otherwise noted*

Galatians 3:1-29 - You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: D...

We’re in Acts Chapter 11! Peter returns to Jerusalem and immediately faces criticism for eating with Gentiles. But after hearing how God moved, the Jewish believers do something surprisingly difficult: they change their minds.

We talk about the gospel breaking through cultural and religious boundaries, why the believers were first called “Christians” in Antioch, and why Barnabas and Saul spend an entire year teaching the new church. Then we dig into one of the more unusual moments in Acts: Agabus predicts a coming famine.

What do we do with prophecy today? How can we discern whethe...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Galatians 2:16 - Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

Exodus 32:1-4 - When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mo...

We’re in Acts Chapter 10! A Roman centurion named Cornelius receives a vision from God, while Peter has a strange vision of his own involving a sheet full of animals and the command to “kill and eat.” But as Peter quickly discovers, the vision isn’t really about food—it’s about people. We discuss the barriers coming down between Jews and Gentiles, what Peter’s vision means for Old Testament food laws, and how the early church began figuring out what parts of Jewish law applied to Gentile believers. Then the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and his household befo...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Galatians 2:1-21 - Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race f...

We’re in Acts Chapter 9! Saul is on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus when everything changes—Jesus appears to him, Saul is struck blind, and one of Christianity’s most unlikely conversions begins. We discuss why Jesus appeared directly to Saul, Ananias being asked to minister to the man persecuting the church, how quickly Saul begins preaching, and his dramatic escape from Damascus in a basket. Then Acts shifts back to Peter, where we see a paralyzed man healed and Tabitha raised from the dead. Along the way, we talk about unlikely people coming to faith...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Galatians 1:1-24 - This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. 3 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue...

We’re in Acts Chapter 8! As persecution scatters the early church out of Jerusalem, Philip heads into Samaria, bringing miracles, casting out evil spirits, and disrupting local sorcery. We discuss Simon the Sorcerer trying to buy the Holy Spirit, how to discern between flesh and spirit, and Philip’s wild encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch on the road to Gaza.

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Luke 7:33-34 -  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

Matthew 22:1-13 - Jesus also told them other parables. He said, 2 “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. 3 When the banquet was ready...

This week, we dive into Acts Chapter 7! Stephen stands before the religious leaders and delivers a massive recap of Old Testament history—from Abraham and Joseph to Moses and the Tabernacle. We break down Stephen’s speech and the intense climax that leads to Stephen becoming the first Christian martyr.

Welcome back to the Bible Study Podcast! We’re reading through the Bible together, diving into the text, and talking through whatever comes up along the way. This week, we’re in Acts Chapter 6! It’s a super short chapter, but it perfectly captures two big things every church faces: internal growing pains and external pressures. We also get introduced to Stephen—a guy full of wisdom, grace, and the Holy Spirit—and talk about everything from personal experiences with the Spirit to how local church systems start to take shape.

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Galatians 5:22-23 - But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Leviticus 23:1-4 - The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly. 3 “You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabb...

Why did Ananias and Sapphira die instantly in Acts 5? Is the God of the New Testament really different from the Old Testament? In this episode of The Bible Study Podcast, we take a first-pass look at Acts Chapter 5—exploring the deadly trap of "spiritual jealousy," the pressure to look profound, and what it actually means to pursue the root over the fruit. We also dive into Peter’s supernatural prison break, Gamaliel’s surprising advice to the council, and why the early apostles rejoiced after being beaten for their faith.

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Nehemiah 8:10b - Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

John 17:13 - Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.

John 15:11 - I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Galatians 5:22-23 - But...

In this conversation, Brandon Smith shares his journey through severe drug addiction, alcoholism, infidelity, and suicide attempts—to complete redemption, restored marriage, and finding true freedom in Jesus Christ. Brandon’s story is a testament that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.

How did the early church handle sudden growth, intense religious opposition, and political pressure? In Episode 4 of our Acts series, we dive deep into Acts Chapter 4 to unpack Peter and John’s trial before the High Priest, the true source of spiritual boldness, and what radical generosity actually looked like for first-century believers.

We discuss:

- The political tension between the Pharisees and Sadducees (and why the resurrection threatened them) - How uneducated, common men spoke with unbelievable confidence before the ruling elite

- Standing firm in your faith

- Did th...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Nehemiah 8:10b - Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

John 17:13 - Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.

John 15:11 - I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Luke 15:1-7 -  Tax c...

We are continuing our verse-by-verse Bible study series, and we're diving straight into Acts Chapter 3. In this episode, Thomas and Madison unpack the very first miracle recorded after Jesus' ascension—the dramatic healing of the lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate. We wrestle with tough questions about miracles vs. medicine, look at Peter’s bold second sermon calling out the crowd at Solomon's Portico, and explain why an ancient Roman portico is basically just a first-century Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Nehemiah 8:1-3 all the people assembled with a unified purpose at the square just inside the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had given for Israel to obey.

2 So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. 3 He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon...

We are continuing our verse-by-verse Bible study series, and we're diving straight into Acts Chapter 2. In this episode, we break down the monumental arrival of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost—unpacking the mighty rushing wind, tongues of fire, and an Epcot-level hubbub of languages. We look at Peter's explosive first sermon, how this moment completely redeems the Tower of Babel, and the radical, beautiful generosity of the very first church community.

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

John 4:13-14 - Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

John 10:10 NIV - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Matthew 5:6 NIV - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for...

We are officially kicking off a brand-new verse-by-verse Bible study series, and we're diving straight into the Book of Acts. In this episode covering Acts Chapter 1, we unpack the intense and awkward 50-day waiting period leading up to Pentecost, the Ascension, the graphic fate of Judas, and the choosing of Matthias as the 12th disciple.

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

John 4:10-14 - Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals en...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 24:1-22 - Abraham was now a very old man, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. 2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. 3 Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. 4 Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.” 5 The serv...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 23:1-17 NIV - Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old. 2 She died at Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her. 3 Then Abraham rose from beside his dead wife and spoke to the Hittites. He said, 4 “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.” 5 The Hittites replied to Abraham, 6 “Sir, listen to us. You are a...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 22:1-2 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

For who can k...

Thomas and Madison catch up about Summer camp. This uncut conversation

includes stories, inside jokes, and meaningful moments from our yearly

trip.

If you have a high school student looking to get connected, email

Thomas@hishandschurch.com

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 21:22 - About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham.

Genesis 20:1-18 - Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2 Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. 3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dr...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 16:4b-16 - But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!” 6 Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. 7 The angel of the Lord found Hag...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 21:1-7 - The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. 3 And Abraham named their son Isaac. 4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. 5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. 6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 19:1-29 - That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground. 2 “My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.” “Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here i...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 19:1-29 - That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground. 2 “My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.” “Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here i...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Hebrews 12:6 - For the Lord disciplines those he loves,  and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Genesis 18:17-33 - Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked. 18 “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. T...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Matthew 13:20-21 -  The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

Genesis 18:16-33 - Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way. 17 “Should I hide my p...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Genesis 20:1-18 (NLT) Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, 2Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.3 But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!” 4 But Abimelec...

*All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted*

Romans 12:1-2 - And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good a...