I find it easier to plan my lessons when I list what is going on in the chapters.
Over the last couple of weeks a new character has joined us, can anybody guess who?
Could anyone relate to Ananias?
Acts 9
Saul, who became Paul.
Saul had a reputation for persecuting the saints. So his conversion would be a surprise for many and he possibly may have been met with skepticism.
It is possible to compare Saul's experience with Alma the younger.
Acts 10
Cornelius the centurion (one over many) sees a vision of an angel directing him to Simon Peter who shall tell him what to do. v 1-8
Peter's vision while he was on his rooftop praying. Being told of the Lord not to call things common that he has provided for him (v15). v 9-18
Cornelius' men arrive at Peter's house and bring him back to Cornelius. Cornelius prepares his men and household to receive the words of Peter (v24, 27). v19-27
Peter realises that these man than may have been called common are prepared/provided by the lord to also teach. v28
They tell one another their stories. v 30-33
Peter preaches to them. v34-43
The Holy Ghost falls on Cornelius & his people. v44-46
Peters travelling people (I presume) were instructed that these people deserve baptism just as mush as anyone else, and he commanded them to baptise them. v47-48
Acts 11
Word that the Gentiles are now being taught spreads. v1
Peter tells his story of what happened and asks "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?". v2-18
Stephen has success. v19-21
Barnabas joins Stephen, with further success. v22-24
Barnabas goes to find Paul (Saul) and brings him to Antioch where they have more success. v25-30
Acts 12
James is Killed. The Jews loved it. This made Herod keen to kill some more. So he apprehended Peter & cast him into prison. An angel comes and helps Peter escape by leading him the way. v1-10
Peter goes to Mary's house and knocks on the gate. Presumably the people in the house have heard that Peter was taken to prison and considered that there was no hope, therefore it could not have been him. v11-17
According to Wikipedia this is pretty much the last we hear of Peter & his ministry. We shall see if this is the case. We do read about him in Chapter 15!
Acts 13
Barnabas & Saul are called to travel. v1-6
The deputy & the sorcerer. The deputy wanted to hear the missionaries, but the sorcerer kept meddling. Saul then condemned the sorcerer and cursed him and made him blind. The deputy then believed. v6-12.
Saul & Barnabas go to a synagogue in Antioch. They sit and are then invited to speak.
Crowds gather to hear the missionaries. v42-44
The gentiles are converted but the Jews persecute them. v45-52
v39 caught my eye.
"by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses".
Acts 14
General preaching with the Jews taking offence yet the disciples were still successful.
Peter rose up after the people supposed he was dead. v19-20
"...we mush, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God". v22
Acts 15
Question about circumcision arose. The question is taken back to Jerusalem to be answered by the apostles. v1-2
Peter pointing out that revelation showed them the Lords intention to preach to the Gentiles. v7
"...they rejoiced for the consolation". v31 In other words these adult men rejoiced that they didn't have to follow through with this Jewish (law of Moses?) practice of circumcision. Understandable.
Paul & Barnabas don't agree about who to travel with. v36-41
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Questions in manual.
How have you sought and received greater understanding from God when you had questions?
Important things, I always take my time & study all possibilities. If I was honest I probably don't take as much stuff to him as I should and those that I do I probably just ask for a general blessing on rather than specific direction.
How does the Spirit speak to you?
The same way he does everyone else I'd imagine. And what is that? Just knowing, being excited about something, feeling at ease or edified.
What is significant about a person being called a Christian?
Is it significant? I don't consider it significant to me. Being a christian is significant, being called a christian, less so. In my opinion. Maybe identifying as a christian is more important to me. For example if someone is to identify me as a christian through my actions.
What does it mean to you to be known as a Christian or to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ?
More than maybe I give it credit. Does it mean everything to me? Should it? I'd rather be known as a christian than many other things. A thief, a scoundrel, a liar, a cheat, a gossip, lazy, prideful to name a few. If I am to be known as a christian or follower of Christ, I need to be honest & trustworthy & humble.
What does your family name mean to you?
Why is the name of the Church today important?
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Love the intro to the chapter.
Consider reading chapter 10 (or watch the video) and discuss what was happening here then share intro in manual.
Consider pointing out how absurd it is to us that the idea that the gospel is only for the seed of Abraham. If we are to teach the we can only return to God through baptism and repentance in Jesus name then either we don’t care about other people or it indeed must be preached to them. Or maybe salvation comes to them through some other way. Or they don’t need salvation.
Clarify, who are the gentiles. Anyone that is not of the seed (lineage) of Abraham.
The revelation given to Peter was not very unusual. A change in policy, a change in the way we think about a particular doctrine. The doctrine itself has not changed.
Can you think of any such revelations on latter day times?
There are probably 100's.
Reading the heading of official declaration 2 sounds very familiar to what we are seeing in these chapters.
"The Book of Mormon teaches that “all are alike unto God,” including “black and white, bond and free, male and female...The revelation came to Church President Spencer W. Kimball and was affirmed to other Church leaders in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1, 1978. The revelation removed all restrictions with regard to race that once applied to the priesthood."
Check this out!
Who does the 1st line of the official declaration say presented this? President N. Eldon Tanner
Now go to Acts 10:5-6. What was Simon Peter? A tanner.
What we can also find interesting here is the Peter did not understand his dream at 1st. He only understood it when the Holy Ghost revealed it to him. Until then he could only ponder it. The dream was not the revelation, the dream was the preparation for the revelation which came later.
Have you ever had an experience like that. Where you experienced something but could not figure out why. Them later on in life, days, weeks, years, you realise, that's what it was all about?
For Peter it wasn't until he got to Cornelius' house that he understood.
Summary
I've not read far enough ahead yet or done extra digging, but what we are seeing here are the apostles extensively travelling. I'm not under the impression that the New Testament is chronological, so the following books are likely to be letters written during these travels. Is anyone able to correct me on this? We will find out in the 2nd half of this year.
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