POWER OF THE APOSTLES ACTS 5 Because of the faith of the people, the Apostles were able to do many miracles among them. Acts 5 says: ACTS 5 MORE MIRACLES 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; 14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Miracles were and are a response to faith, and its best encouragement. They were never wrought without prayer, felt need, and faith (Bible Dictionary, Miracles). Just like Jesus had done, the Apostles performed miracles to strengthen faith. PROJECT Use the Topical Guide or Index to research miracles done in the Bible or Book of Mormon. Write about your favorite one below. Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 27
PETER AND JOHN ARRESTED AND ESCAPE ACTS 5 Peter and John didn t stop preaching the gospel! They were soon arrested again. Read how they escaped from these verses in Acts 5. ACTS 5 ESCAPE! 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. An angel delivered them from prison so that they could continue their work! Do you think Peter and John had faith? They sure did. They were not afraid of the Jewish leaders. Instead, they went straight to the temple and began preaching again. When the Jewish leaders heard about it, they set [Peter and John] before the council: and the high priest asked them, saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine! (Acts 5:27-28). ACTS 5 CONTINUAL PREACHING 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people [and he said] 38 Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And [Peter and John] departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Why do you think Peter and John continued to preach even though they had been told not to by the Sanhedrin and were even imprisoned and beaten? Read what young Joseph Smith said about the vision that he had and his determination to stand up for the truth in the face of persecution. Think about how Peter and John were like Joseph Smith. JST 1:25 JOSPEH SAW A VISION 25 I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it. Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 28
REVIEWING PETER S MINISTRY ACTS 1-5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ACROSS 2. The Gift of the Holy Ghost fell on the Apostles on the Day of. 3. Peter healed a man at the temple. 4. When Peter preached, he called on men and women to repent and be. 6. On the Day of Pentecost, the Apostles had the spiritual gift of speaking in. 7. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus promised to send the to guide the Apostles. DOWN 1. After Jesus had taught his disciples for 40 days, he into heaven. 5. Peter and John were delivered out of prison by an. Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 29
APOSTLES CALL MEN TO ASSIST THEM ACTS 6 Peter and John and the other Apostles were so busy preaching and baptizing that they didn t always have time to help the thousands of members of the church with all their daily needs. Some of the widows and orphans, especially, were getting neglected. How did they solve this problem? They decided to call some righteous men to help them. The Apostles said to a group of disciples, Brethren, look ye out among you (find) seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:3-4). they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Two of the men who were called to help the Apostles in their ministry are mentioned again later in the New Testament. They are Philip and Stephen. Read about each of these faithful men below. PHILIP One of the seven men called to help the Apostles. He was an evangelist, or preacher, who worked in Samaria, and later with Paul. What did the Apostles ask the group to do? What job would the Apostles continue to do? Read the rest of the story from Acts 6. Underline the names of the seven men who were called to help in the ministry. ACTS 6 SEVEN ASSISTANTS 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when STEPHEN One of the seven men called to help the Apostles. He was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:4) who was able to do great wonders and miracles. He was later brought before the Sanhedrin (Jewish court) and sentenced to death for his faith. Do you know anyone in your ward or stake today that has been called to assist the Bishop or other priesthood leaders? Are they full of faith like Philip and Stephen? Write about them below. Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 30
STEPHEN S MINISTRY ACTS 6-7 Stephen was one of the seven men called and set apart to assist the Apostles in their work. He spoke boldly to the people about Jesus message. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:8). The Jewish leaders were not pleased with Stephen s message. They thought what he said was blasphemy, or against the truth of God. So, they found men who would testify against him in court. Read what happened in the court from these verses in Acts 6. At last, Stephen was given a chance to respond in his defense in court. He knew that the Jewish leaders were angry with him and wanted to have him killed, yet he did not turn away from the truth! Read what he told the court in Acts 7. Notice what he called the leaders of the Sanhedrin and their ancestors before them who had persecuted the prophets! ACTS 6 STEPHEN S TRIAL 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. What did Stephen s face look like during his trial? What do you think made him look that way? ACTS 7 STEPHEN S DEFENSE 51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 They have slain the [prophets] which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 31
STEPHEN S FAITH ACTS 7 As the Jewish leaders grew more angry at Stephen s words, he remained calm and faithful. He was full of the Holy Ghost and as he looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God! (Acts 7:55) How did the Jewish leaders react to Stephen? Read these verses to find out: ACTS 7 STEPHEN STONED 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God [Stephen said] Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. What made Stephen s faith so strong that he was willing to die to defend the gospel? Other prophets and teachers before Stephen had also been persecuted and even killed for their beliefs. Can you name some of them from the scriptures? What did Stephen do just before he died that showed he understood the principle of forgiveness? Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 32
SIMON WISHES TO BUY THE PRIESTHOOD POWER ACTS 8 While Paul was traveling to Damascus, having his life changing vision, and then escaping back to Jerusalem, the work of the gospel was continuing in Judea and Samaria. Here is the story of a man called Simon, who saw the power that Philip had and wished to have that power for himself. (Remember that Philip was one of the seven assistants called to help the Apostles with their work). Philip, Peter, and John used the opportunity to teach a lesson about the priesthood power of God. See if you can discover what their lesson was as you read Simon s story from these verses in Acts 8. ACTS 8 SIMON WISHES FOR POWER 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime...used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Qsjftuippe! Qpxfs!jt! pg!hpe! Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 33
PHILIP BAPTIZES A EUNUCH ACTS 8 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet [Isaiah], and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Philip was busy teaching in cities all over Samaria. He followed the Spirit to find those who would accept the gospel message. Read this story from Acts 8 about a servant that Philip met along the road, whom God had prepared to accept the gospel. ACTS 8 PREPARED FOR TRUTH 26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch (servant) of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read [Isaiah] the prophet. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him...and he went on his way rejoicing. What was the servant doing when Philip found him? How does studying the scriptures help us prepare to accept and learn truth? Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 34
PETER HEALS THE SICK AND RAISES THE DEAD ACTS 9 You learned that when faith and the priesthood power are both present, miracles happen. Well, Peter performed a lot of miracles during his ministry. Read the verses on the right that tell of some of Peter s miracles. Then go back and review Peter s other miracles that you have read about in other lessons. Make a list of them in the box below. Qfufs t!njsbdmft! ACTS 9 PETER S MIRACLES 33 And [Peter] found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named...dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 39 When [Peter] was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha (young woman), arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. Discover the Life of Christ 2009 www.discoverthescriptures.com, Page 35