2. THE NUMBER OF DISCIPLES WAS
MULTIPLIED
• Context and Review
• To whom was the Gospel Preached after the
Resurrection (see Matt 28:19 and Acts 1:8)
• How many converts were there (see Acts 2: 41 and Acts
4:4)
• What economy/society existed in the Ancient Church
(see Acts 2: 44-45 and Acts 4: 32, 34-35)
• Essential Terminology
5. HELLENISTIC JEWS
• Greek speaking Jews living in the Diaspora
• Tended to be less strict; combined elements of
Jewish religious tradition with Greek culture
9. PROSELYTE
• A proselyte is one born of non-Israelite (Greek
or Roman) lineage, who joins the Jews' religion
by circumcision and obedience to the other
requirements of the law of Moses.
• Such proselytes to Judaism were the first non-
Jewish converts to the Church.
11. JUDAIZER
why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the
Jews? (KJV Galatians 2:14)
• Group of ancient disciples (including Peter
before his vision) who assumed that converts
to Christianity must first convert to Judaism,
including circumcision, keeping kosher, etc.
13. SEVEN MEN ARE ORDAINED TO SUPERVISE
THE TEMPORAL WORK OF THE CHURCH
•Choosing the Seven
•Read Acts 6: 1-7 (one verse at a time)
14. PHILIP PREACHES AND PERFORMS
MIRACLES IN SAMARIA
•An Ethiopian Receives Christ
•Read Acts 8: 26-31; 35-38
•What blessings come to us and others
as we follow the Spirit
15. “DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH OF THIS
CHURCH”
•Read Acts 1:8
•Ancient Church was multi-ethnic
•List ethnicities of Ancient Church
•Likewise, Modern Church is Multi-ethnic
•Read quotes on Diversity
16. “DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH OF THIS
CHURCH”
•How does diversity among members
enrich and strengthen the Church?
•How can we differ from each other
and still be unified?
17. “It is in understanding and accepting [the]
universal fatherhood of God that all human beings
can best appreciate God’s concern for them and
their relationship to each other. This is a message
of life and love that strikes squarely against all
stifling traditions based on race, language,
economic or political standing, educational rank,
or cultural background, for we are all of the same
spiritual descent. We have a divine pedigree; every
person is a spiritual child of God”
18. STEPHEN TESTIFIES BEFORE THE
SANHEDRIN AND IS STONED TO DEATH
• Read Acts 6: 11-15
• Read Chapter heading to Acts 7
• How can we make sure we do not forget the Lord’s
workings in our own lives?
• How does remembering past blessings from the Lord
help us remain faithful in the present?
• Read Acts 7:55-56
19. SAUL IS CONVERTED AND BAPTIZED AND
BEGINS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
• Saul was a Jew from the Diaspora, Tarsus
• Roman Citizen
• Spoke both Greek and Aramaic
• Pharisee, trained at Jerusalem by Gamaliel
• Present and consented to stoning of Stephen
• Responsible for imprisonment and death of
many members of Church
20.
21. “On occasion individuals can have
[experiences like Saul’s], but for the
most part, conversion happens over
a period of time as study, prayer,
experience, and faith help us to
grow in our testimony and
conversion”
22. HOW CAN WE HEAR THE VOICE OF THE
LORD?
•D&C 1: 38
•D&C 6:23
•D&C 8:2
•D&C 18:34-36
23. LORD, WHAT WILL THOU HAVE ME TO DO?
• Read Acts 9: 6
• Ezra Taft Benson said that Paul’s question, “Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do?” is the most
important question we can ask in this life.
• Why is it so important?
• How have you been blessed by knowing God’s will
for you and submitting to it?
