Tuesday, September 29, 2015





Acts 19–20. Proper Authority and Ministering to the People

Acts 19:1–12; 20:7–12
Five priesthood ordinances Paul performed:
Baptism
Confirmation
Administrating to the sick
Blessing of the Sacrament
Blessing of Healing and Exorcism





1.    What did Paul do for the Corinthian saints because it hadn’t been done right the first time?
                  When Paul came to Ephesus, he found that the people had been baptized by John, but that it was a “baptism of repentance,” and John had told them “that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” Upon hearing this, Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 19:3-4)




2.    How does this help answer the question many nonmembers have about the need of being baptized when they have already been baptized?

      That you need to be baptized and confirmed by authorized priesthood holders to receive he blessing and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  (Acts 19:1-6)



3.    In what way did Paul bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost?

      “He laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.



4.    On what day of the week did the saints meet to break bread? What evidence is there in John 20:1, 19 for why the Sabbath day was changed?

    
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth thestone taken away from the sepulchre.

John 20:17-19

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stoodin the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Sunday became the Sabbath as it represents the day of Resurrection of Christ., a new beginning a new law.  The Law of Moses was proceeded by the teachings of Christ.






Wednesday, September 23, 2015



Choice 3: Acts 17. Paul’s Visit to Athens

1.    Review Acts 17:1–5, 10–15. Write a description of the different ways in which people responded to the message of the gospel.

      In verse 4 we read that some of them believed and joined Paul, and a large amount of Greeks (Gentiles) as well as chief women joined and followed Paul.  But there were Jews that did not believe the message of Paul and refused to join the church and they even gathered a mob of evil and wicked people to start a riot.   They attacked Paul’s family and were looking for Paul.  They wanted to get rid of Paul and his message of truth.

What phrase in these verses describes what the people of Berea did that the people of Thessalonica did not do that helped them more readily accept the gospel? Read 2 Nephi 32:3; 33:10; Alma 31:5 and explain in writing how our daily study of scripture affects so much else of what we think and do.

Nephi 32:3
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
Nephi 33:10
10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.

Alma 31:5
And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

When we “feast upon the words of Christ” we allow the Holy Ghost to speak to our hearts and minds and help guide us in truth and righteousness.   The words of Christ will always tell us what we are to do in any situation.


2.  Review Acts 17:16–28 and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 17:18, “What Are Epicureans and Stoics?” (p. 266). Briefly summarize the beliefs of the Epicureans and Stoics.

Epicureanism was named for Epicurus (341–270 b.c.). According to his philosophy, the world came into existence by chance and was without purpose or design. Epicureans believed that the gods, if they did exist, did not involve themselves in the lives of humans and that happiness was to be found in the absence of cares and pain and the enjoyment of pleasures in moderation.

Stoicism began with the teachings of a man named Zeno (333–264 b.c.). Stoicism held that all things were created, ordered, and set in motion by divine reason. Stoics believed that man was endowed with a spark of reason and should seek harmony with the divine order of things, overcome passions, and live a moral and upright life.

Read the institute student manual commentary for Acts 17:15–34, “What Was the Significance of Paul’s Visit to Athens?” (p. 266). Then write your answers to the following questions:

·                  What gods did the Athenians know and not know?
Many Greeks were polytheists (believing in many gods). The chief men of Athens gathered in the marketplace each day to hear debates, to conduct business, and to learn something new. Since Paul’s message was new, he attracted listeners.

·                  How do 2 Nephi 9:28–29 and Colossians 2:8 relate to the practices of the Athenians?

2Nephi 9:28-29
28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Men think that all that they have and all blessings and success come from their own doing.  They are being tricked by the “cunning plan of the evil one” just as the Athenians.

·                  What false gods do people worship today that causes them to forget the true and living God?

Today many people of the world worship other men, movie stars, athelets, and musicians.  They also worship those in power and with money.  Just as the Athenians we have our “Gods” that we look up too and desire to be like them, instead of looking up to God and desiring to do his will.


3.    Study Acts 17:26–27; Deuteronomy 32:8; institute student manual commentary for Acts 17:26, “Was Paul Teaching About the Premortal Existence When He Spoke of the ‘Times Before Appointed’?” (p. 266). Most of the Christian world does not believe in a premortal life. Write a paragraph supporting the principle of a premortal life as taught in these verses and the words of President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973).

…“clearly indicate that the numbers of the children of Israel were known and the bounds of their habitation fixed, in the days of old when the Lord divided to the nations their inheritance. We conclude, therefore, that there must have been a division of the spirits of men in the spiritual world, and those who were appointed to be the children of Israel were separated and prepared for a special inheritance” -Bruce R. McConkie



      Clearly what Paul was teaching was a “divine plan” and that plan had to be formulated before the creation of the world and the creation of men.  We are so different yet so alike in purpose, this is a testimony of the preparation of men in the spirit world before this world.  With out “The Plan” there is no purpose to our exisitence in the world.  We are all children with divine upbringing before this trial of life.


4.    Review Acts 17:28–29; Romans 8:16–17. Write two or three paragraphs about the doctrine taught in these verses and how it helps us better understand the true nature of God. Include in your writing an explanation of what difference it makes to understand that we are God’s offspring and not just His creation.

In Acts 17:28 we read that we are “offspring” of Him.  The definition of offspring is “a person's child or children.”  This is simple and clear doctrine that shows we are not simply creations of him, but are made from him and are His chidren.  We were not created as Christ created the animals or trees, but we were made the same as us having “offspring” of our own.   We are spirit children of our Heavenly Father.   Therefore because we are a part of Him we can become like Him and become gods ourselves.

5.    According to Acts 17:32, record how the people responded to Paul’s teachings of the Resurrection. Write a paragraph using other scriptures from the Topical Guide that support the doctrine of the Resurrection.

“After Paul finished his address on Mars Hill, some Greeks mocked his teaching about the resurrection of the dead During the first century a.d., popular Greek philosophy held that the physical body was part of what made the soul of man impure. According to Platonic dualism, the soul of man was imprisoned in a body of flesh. Hence, the teaching that Jesus Christ had a resurrected physical body would have seemed foolish to many Greeks because they believed God to be pure and perfect.”

 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

Saturday, September 19, 2015

The Day of Pentecost


Its another year at BYU-I and another semester learning about the 2nd 1/2 of the New Testament.  I hope you enjoy reading about what I am learning and hope that if you have more questions you would ask me.   I love this gospel and joy it brings to my life as I study more about my Savior and his plan for all of us.
-Stephanie 



Choice 3: Acts 2. The Day of Pentecost

Read Acts 2 and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 2:1, “What Was the Day of Pentecost?” (pp. 243–44). Then respond in writing to the following items:
 
·      Briefly describe the meaning of the day of Pentecost.

Pentecost means feast of the Harvest or the feast of weeks.

As part of the Law of Moses Pentecost was held fifty days after Passover.  Pentecost was to celebrate the harvest by celebrating the first fruits of the harvest and giving thanks and celebration.  Many would pilgrimage to the feast or festival, and this caused Jerusalem to be very crowded with many from differing countries.

·      List two or three of Peter’s teachings on this day.

      Peter taught the meaning of scriptures with clarity and insight.  He taught that the gift of tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit among the Apostles were a fulfillment of the prophecy found in Joes.   He taught that Jesus of Nazareth had been crucified, resurrected and had loosed the pains of death and lives.
                 
                 
·      In what ways did Peter fulfill his role as a special witness of Jesus Christ?

     He spoke with the Spirit he taught the people in their own language with the gift of tongues.  He spoke in words, but the Spirit taught with feeling.


·      What gifts of the Spirit were made manifest on the day of Pentecost?

     The gift of tongues was used to teach the gospel to all who had gathered for the festival in Jerusalem.  The apostles had a chance to teach a multitude of people, but they all spoke many languages.  This was a powerful way that the Spirit could penetrate the hearts of many.


·      How did the people respond to what occurred on this day?


            The Spirit “pricked in their heart” bringing grief and remorse.  When they had realized that they crucified the Messiah, they went to the Apostles to find help and repentance of their hearts.   Peter taught of Baptism for the remission of sins and many were baptized.