NT Come Follow Me 28
Introduction:
“Ye Shall Be Witnesses unto
Me”
Acts 1:10 How did Peter and the others feel when Jesus ascended into Heaven and left them to govern the church and build the kingdom?
Matthew 28:19 They were commissioned to take the church to all nations.
“What we do find [in
Acts] are examples of fearless testimony and conversion, miraculous healings,
spiritual manifestations, and significant growth for the Church. This was still
the Savior’s Church, still led by Him… In the book of Acts, you will read
powerful declarations about Jesus Christ and His gospel. You will also see how
that gospel can change people—including you—into the valiant disciples God
knows they can be.”
Personal Study: Jesus
Christ directs His Church through the Holy Ghost.
“We each have a responsibility to participate in the
work of salvation and exaltation—to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, care for
those in need, invite others to come unto Christ, and unite families for
eternity” (see General
Handbook, 1.2).
Personal Study: The principles and ordinances of the
gospel help me come unto Christ.
Acts 2:37 When have you been pricked in your heart?
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
“The first principles
and ordinances of the gospel (including faith, repentance, baptism, and the
gift of the Holy Ghost—or what is sometimes referred to as the doctrine of
Christ) affected these converts.”
Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying
How do you continue
to apply the doctrine of Christ? Consider these words from Elder Dale G.
Renlund: “We may be perfected by repeatedly … exercising faith in [Christ],
repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of
baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater
degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the
end, with all that that entails.”
Personal Study: What
are “the times of refreshing” and “the times of restitution of all things”?
How much are you looking forwarding to the times of
refreshing? What are you doing to prepare yourself and those around you?
“The times of refreshing” refers to the Millennium, when Jesus Christ
will return to the earth. “The times of restitution of all things” refers to
the Restoration of the gospel, which prepares the world for the Millennium.
Personal Study: Disciples of Jesus Christ are given power to perform miracles
in His name.
The lame man was hoping to receive money from those who came to the temple. But the Lord’s servants offered him much more. How did miracles affect these people: The lame man, Peter and John, The witnesses at the temple, The high priests and rulers?
Family Study: Revelation can govern the choices we make.
Acts 1:21–26 Filling the vacant seat in the Quorum of the Twelve.
Family Study: Be Humble and contrite
Acts 2:37 How should we respond when we are pricked in our hearts?
Family Study: The Lord blesses us according to His will
Video: “Peter and John Heal a Man Crippled Since Birth”
Family Study: Be Bold
in your testimony of Jesus Christ
Video: “Peter Preaches and Is Arrested”
Family Study: Love
neighbor as self
Acts 4:31–37
“of one heart and of one soul”; law of consecration
Acts 5:2, 4
Be honest in your offerings, and give with a willing heart. How does dishonesty affect us spiritually?
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/1?lang=eng
Jesus
ministers for forty days after His resurrection—The kingdom is to be restored
to Israel at a later time—The Twelve are to bear witness in Jerusalem, Judæa,
Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth—Jesus ascends into
heaven—Matthias is chosen to fill the vacancy in the Twelve.
Consider how the Holy Ghost guided the new leaders of Christ’s Church as you review the following passages: Acts 1:1–8, 15–26
Vs 2-4 Jesus was with
the apostles and showed them how to set up His Church. After He was taken up,
He communicated and gave them commandments and direction pertaining to the
kingdom of God, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Vs 5-8 They were still
waiting for the baptism of the Holy Ghost so that they could be special
witnesses of the Savior unto the ends of the earth.
Vs 9-11 The disciples of
Jesus saw Him return to His Father. He was taken up in a cloud. Since that day,
all of Jesus's disciples have the promise that He will come back to be with us
again.
Vs 21-26 The apostles came
together to pray and seek the Lord's direction as to whom the 12th apostle
should be. They decided upon two of their brethren and then, seeking to do the
Lord's will, they voted on it.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/2?lang=eng
The
Spirit is poured out on the day of Pentecost—Peter testifies of Jesus’
resurrection—He tells how to gain salvation and speaks of the gift of the Holy
Ghost—Many believe and are baptized.
Consider how the Holy Ghost guided the new
leaders of Christ’s Church as you review the following passages: 2:1–42.
Vs
14-21 At this time, there were many
who had the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. These were not
drunken people, but they had received gifts from the Spirit.
Peter reminded them of Joel's prophecy, which is still ahead for
us in our day, that there will be many more miracles as the Spirit is poured
out an all good people of faith.
Vs 22-26 This is the testimony of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, that He was sent into the world to save us from sin; that He suffered
and died for us, that we like Him may be resurrected and return to our Father
whole.
Note how the first
principles and ordinances of the gospel (including faith, repentance, baptism,
and the gift of the Holy Ghost—or what is sometimes referred to as the doctrine
of Christ) affected these converts, as recorded in Acts 2:37–47.
Vs 37-47 When we have been taught the gospel and have
received a witness from the Holy Ghost, we need to move forward. We need to
have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the holy
ghost, and continue steadfastly in renewing our covenants and fellowshipping one
with another.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/3?lang=eng
Peter and John heal a man lame since birth—Peter
preaches repentance—He also speaks of the age of restoration preceding the
Second Coming—He identifies Christ as the prophet of whom Moses spoke.
Acts 3:
Consider how the miracle that followed affected these people:
Vs 4-10: We should all bless each others’ lives
according to the gifts, power, and authority that we have. Many of us do not
have financial means to give much money. But it’s much more important to be
rich in faith.
Did this man need money for one day? He was
blessed to walk and run and earn his own way.
Vs 12-16: Peter didn’t
take credit for this miracle. This man’s health was restored through Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, who was killed and now resurrected.
Vs 17-21 We have all
sinned ignorantly at some period of time. But when we know the truth, we can
repent. In our day we are witnessing the restitution of all things; and
hopefully, we will also live to see the times of refreshing, when Jesus comes
again and reigns here on earth 1,000 years.
Vs 22-26 The House of
Israel is precious and loved by the Lord. We are the children of the prophets,
and we have been called upon to bless all the world through faith in Jesus
Christ and preaching His gospel. We are to gather Israel on both sides of the
veil.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/4?lang=eng
Peter and
John are arrested and brought before the council—Peter testifies that salvation
comes because of Christ—The Sadducees strive to silence Peter and John—The
Saints glory in the testimony of Jesus—They have all things in common.
Acts 4:1–31: Consider how the miracle that followed affected
these people:
Vs 4 Even though Peter and the others were held
overnight, many people believe on their testimony of Jesus. They saw what was
done for the lame man, and they believed Peter’s testimony.
Vs 6-11 Peter powerfully answers them by what
power the lame man was healed. He was healed through faith in Jesus Christ and
the power of the Priesthood He bestowed on them. Even though they killed Jesus,
His Father raised Him up, and He is the Chief Cornerstone.
Vs 12 Peter declared that salvation is only
through Jesus Christ.
Vs 16-21 The rulers could not deny the healing or
the testimony. But they didn’t want this belief to spread, so they threatened
Peter and John (and others who were with them) to no more speak in the name of
Jesus. Peter said that he would do what God asks, not what these faithless leaders asked.
Vs 24-31 Instead of fearing the leaders of the
people, Peter and the other disciples were thankful for the miracles performed
and the testimonies spoken, and they prayed for added strength and courage to
continue to speak in the name of the Lord.
Vs 32-37 The disciples of Jesus loved one another
and willingly practiced the Law of Consecration.
https://site.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/nt/acts/5?lang=eng
Ananias
and Sapphira lie to the Lord and lose their lives—The Apostles continue the
miracles of Jesus—Peter and John are arrested, an angel delivers them from
prison, and they testify of Christ—Gamaliel counsels moderation.
5:12–42: Consider
how the miracle that followed affected these people:
Vs 14-16 The apostles continued the work of healing and salvation that
Jesus had begun, through faith in Him.
Vs 17-33 The leaders put the apostles into prison, but the Lord took
them out to preach in His holy temple.
Man, were the leaders steamed. Again they asked, “Didn’t we tell you to stop
talking about Jesus?” They said that they’d obey God. They were witnesses of
Jesus Christ, as also the Holy Ghost is, whom God gives to them that obey Him.
They were cut to the heart.
Vs 38-42 Gamaliel convinced them to let the apostles alone. If their words was wrong, they’d come to naught. If it was the work of God, then they couldn’t stop it, and they’d be fighting against God. So they agreed to let them go. But they beat them first, and again told them not to speak in the name of Jesus. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Every day they proclaimed His name.
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