Sunday School Lesson for last Sunday:
What stood out to you? What do you want to discuss about these chapters?
Philippians 4:11-12, 18 Read these verses. I want to just start here...because as we read today, we are going to get a pretty good view of how challenging Paul’s life and ministry were. And yet...he syas that he has all and abounds. I know we’ll talk more about this when we get to Philippians...but I just want to keep Paul’s attitude in mind as we read of his experiences today. Because this is usually NOT the attitude I have about suffering and difficulty...but I want to cultivate more of an attitude of gratitude and abundance.
Background: Paul has been teaching about the one true God and preaching about Christ’s resurrection. This is making him many enemies. Many Jews are angry because they think he is breaking the law of Moses and telling people not to live this law. Even many Jewish Christians are angry with Paul. Much of what they have heard and believe about Paul is inaccurate, but they are angry. So he has fellow believers quite angry. What he has been teaching is that the law of Moses was a school master, preparing them for the Savior to come. And that Christ fulfilled the law and they should rejoice. He isn’t trying to destroy the law, but to explain that Christ fulfilled the law. But they don’t understand and they have made false assumptions. In addition, Paul is teaching that there is only one true God. Rome is built upon a pantheon of gods, and so Paul’s teachings are also making some Romans upset. So there is anger toward Paul from within and without the church. We may also find that we may face disagreements, anger or misunderstanding from others as we follow Christ. Certainly our modern day prophet and apostles experience such anger and misunderstanding from without and within.
Acts 22: 3 Paul is describing himself. He is a Jew. He is zealous... 1828 Websters: Warmly engaged or ardent in the pursuit of an object. Strong’s Concordance: to have warmth of feeling for or against
Usage: (a) eagerness, zeal, enthusiasm,
Acts 22: 6-11 Paul’s conversion story
Any comments about Paul’s conversion? Any insights you want to share or things that stood out to you?
Paul’s conversion was dramatic and life altering. Some of us may have such dramatic experiences, but most of us may not have one specific event that alters the course of our life but instead a series of experiences that are spiritually defining.
Quote #1 Elder Bednar said, “For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience.
Samuel the Lamanite identified five basic elements in becoming converted unto the Lord: (1) believing in the teachings and prophecies of the holy prophets as they are recorded in the scriptures, (2) exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (3) repenting, (4) experiencing a mighty change of heart, and (5) becoming “firm and steadfast in the faith” (see Helaman 15:7–8). This is the pattern that leads to conversion.”
For most of us, these events happen over the course of a lifetime. Even for Paul and Alma the Younger and others who experience a dramatic event that alters their course, they still need to follow the pattern of believing the teachings of the prophet, exercising faith in Christ, repenting, having a change of heart, and becoming firm and steadfast in the faith. And then repeating these steps over and over. Believing and following the prophet, exercising faith in Christ, and so on happen daily, over and over, over the course of our lifetime.
Acts 22:25-29 Because Paul is a Roman, the Romans must judge him as a Roman citizen.
I want to skip ahead for a few minutes to Acts chapter 26 where Paul again recounts his conversion story. I want us to notice things that are similar to what we just read and also any differences you notice.
Acts 22: on journey near to Damascus, saw great light from heaven, fell to the ground, voice: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Who art thou? Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. Those with me saw the light and were afraid but heard not the voice. Saul is told to go to Damascus and he’ll be told what to do. He can’t see because of the glory of the light. Others led him to Damascus. Ananias came and restored his sight. HE’s told to hear the voice of the Just One and be a witness and be baptized and have his sins washed away.
Acts: 26 Tells more of his background and history. He says it was midday when he saw a light from heaven. Everyone falls to the ground. “Saul, Saul why persecutest thou me? Who art thou? I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Told to stand up. He’s told he is to be a witness to the things he has seen and heard and to be delivered from the people unto whom he is sent and that he will turn them from darkness to light.
Acts 26:2-8 He’s happy to testify of his experiences before Agrippa. He recounts his history.
What do you notice that is the same/similar about these two accounts?
What do you notice that is different about these two accounts?
Similiarities: On the way to Damascus to persecute believers. Light from heaven. Voice asks why he persecutes Jesus. Falls to ground. Jesus is speaking to him. Tells him he will minister and teach the people. Gives him instruction.
Differences: Before King Agrippa, he gives more details of his persecution of the believers of Christ. More description of the light from heaven. In chapter 26: Christ adds “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Chapter 26: More detail about what he is to do as he ministers. Chapter 26 doesn’t mention his blindness or going to Ananias to be taught and healed.
As you probably know, Joseph Smith wrote several accounts of his First Vision. And there are differences and even small discrepancies between the accounts. Sometimes this shakes people’s faith.
Speaking of Paul’s differing accounts, one Bible scholar writes: “Far from being proof of a fabrication, the differences in the accounts demonstrate the reliability of the account. Depending upon the purpose for telling a story and the audience that will hear it, people choose to emphasize different aspects of the story. The account in chapter 9, in which Luke’s purpose was to tell the story of the early church, emphasized Paul and the believers in Damascus. The chapter 22 account was not intended to be a story but a testimony. It emphasized Paul’s essential Jewishness and faithfulness to the Law and referred to “the God of our Fathers”. One can sense that he yearned for his Jewish accusers to see that Jesus is their Messiah. Paul’s defense to Agrippa in chapter 26, a small, more private and less hostile audience, was different. Both in medicine and in law, a story that is totally unchanged between events is more likely to be considered a fabrication.... There is no doubt that something happened on the road to Damascus. The men accompanying Paul either heard something (9:7), did not understand the voice (22:9), or some combination. Either Paul alone fell to the ground (9:4, 22:7) or they all fell down (26:14), or some combination. The apparent discrepancies in the accounts, themselves separated by years of time, reflect human nature, whether by forgetting details or emphasizing certain facts over others.” (https://mdharrismd.com/2011/12/19/pauls-conversion-why-three-accounts-and-how-do-they-differ/)
Have you ever told a story and emphasized just one part of the story over other details? Or perhaps left part of the story out? You might do this for a variety of reasons...because you are including a short anecdote that relates to a topic of discussion, to emphasize a lesson learned, to avoid sharing really vulnerable parts of the story with those you don’t know well or don’t trust, because you can’t remember some of the exact details, or for a variety of other reasons. Here’s a recent example...Just in the past month, I shared the story of Ella’s birth with Jackie because she wanted to use a little bit of my story in a talk she was giving. Then having listened to Jackie’s talk, a couple of friends asked me questions about her birth and so I recounted part of the story to fill in the parts they hadn’t heard from Jackie. Then when I spoke in sacrament meeting two weeks ago, I focused solely on how much comfort and safety I felt in my grandparent’s home and especially on my grandpa’s lap and how envisioning these moments helped me give birth naturally. My recounting of my birth experience in those circumstances left out almost all of the details because they weren’t pertinent to the lesson I was trying to teach and share. These differences don’t mean that I was lying or misleading or fabricating the experiences, just that I was emphasizing different parts for different audiences and purposes. Historians actually consider multiple accounts with slight variations to be greater evidence that the event did happen. There is so much we can learn from studying all of the accounts of the First Vision and grappling with the similarities and differences.
Paul acts upon his experience despite the persecution that will come. He is obedient to the heavenly vision. This also reminds me of Joseph Smith. And in fact, Joseph Smith drew strength from Paul’s experiences.
Joseph Smith History 1: 24-25
24 However, it was nevertheless a fact that I had beheld a avision. I have thought since, that I felt much like Paul, when he made his defense before King Agrippa, and related the account of the vision he had when he saw a light, and heard a voice; but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was bmad; and he was ridiculed and reviled. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the cpersecution under heaven could not make it otherwise; and though they should persecute him unto death, yet he knew, and would know to his latest breath, that he had both seen a light and heard a voice speaking unto him, and all the world could not make him think or believe otherwise.
25 So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two aPersonages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was bhated and cpersecuted 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 dfalsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.
Acts 26: 22-23 Paul testifies of Christ.
In April conference, Sister Bonnie Cordon taught us to “never give up an opportunity to testify of Christ.” I think Paul exemplified this so beautifully. He testified to Jews and Gentiles. To Festus. To King Agrippa. Regardless of what the consequences may be, he testified of Christ. How can we better follow his example? What opportunities do you have to testify of Christ?
Acts 26: 24-27 His boldness!
Acts 26:28 I have always loved this verse...but it isn’t the declaration that I thought it was.
New International Version
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
New Living Translation
Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”
Acts 22:29 Paul responds with both sincerity and humor... I wish You (Agrippa) an d all that hear me would be as I am ...except these handcuffs!
Paul boldly bears testimony in front of unbelievers. How can we do this in “normal and natural ways”?
Follow Him shared the story of the Oklahoma Women’s Softball team. This was in June this year. They won their third straight national championship. The players were asked by ESPN’s Alex Scarborough how they keep the joy of the game as the pressure to win keeps mounting.
One player responded: ““The only way that you can have a joy that doesn’t fade away is from the Lord,” Lyons said, “and any other type of joy is actually happiness that comes from circumstances and outcomes.”
Lyons continued, “I think coach (Patty Gasso) has said this before, but joy from the Lord is really the only thing that can keep you motivated, just in a good mindset no matter the outcomes.”
Teammate Coleman went on to say how during her freshman season (she was a junior this season), she was happy her team won the national championship, but she didn’t feel joy.
“I didn’t feel filled, and I had to find Christ in that, and I think that is what makes our team so strong, is that we’re not afraid to lose, because it’s not the end of the world if we do lose,” Coleman said.
“Yes, obviously we worked our butts off to be here and we want to win, but it’s not the end of the world because our life is in Christ and that’s all that matters.”
Junior Alyssa Brito finished it off by saying, “Yeah, I think a huge thing that we’ve really just latched on to is ‘Eyes up,’” she said as she pointed her eyes and first fingers upward. “We’re really fixing our eyes on Christ, and that’s something where, like they were saying, you can’t find a fulfillment in an outcome, whether it’s good or bad.”
How have you had opportunities to testify of Christ? Any experiences you would like to share?
Acts 26:31-32 Paul hasn’t done anything worthy of death or bonds but he has appealed to Caesar.
Acts 27: 1-2 Paul travels toward Rome. In verses 3-9, they take a series of boat rides heading toward Rome.
Who should we trust? What if an apostle says that a certain choice will lead us to hurt and damage but experts and the majority of people around us say that that choice is a good one. Who should we believe? What might be the danger in believing experts over prophets and apostles?
In the Follow Him podcast, Scott Woodward says, “Sometimes we gamble with apostles’ words and warnings and sometimes we lose...We could probably talk for hours about people who’ve gambled with the words of apostles. They have met with much hurt and much damage....There’s gambling that’s happening with the wrods of prophets about some serious issues. Some ships that experts and maybe our own majority, at least the groups that we associate with, some of the majority might say, ‘Let’s go with the experts, not prophets, on these things.’ That’s a gamble that too many have taken and they’ve met with much hurt and much harm.
Fortunately, if we make a mistake and make a wrong choice, we can turn around. We can repent. We can choose to follow the prophets in the future. We can experience healing and forgiveness. However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t experience the consequences of our choices and may experience much hurt and much harm.
Acts 28: 2-3 Share times when people have shown "no little kindness"...for example the stake at Hinckley Camp at Heber Valley when we were on our overnight hike and were told to head to the nearest shelter due to a big rain storm. They took us in, made us hot chocolate, let me use a phone to let our stake know we were okay, and even gave several of our group clean, dry camp shirts. They were so kind.
Backing up now...let’s go back to Acts 23.
Acts 23: 1 How can we live in good conscience before God and men?
Again, Paul and Joseph Smith share similarities. Joseph, shortly before his arrest that ultimately led to his martyrdom said, ““I am going like a lamb to the slaughter,4 but I am calm as a summer’s morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward all men.5 If they take my life I shall die an innocent man,6 and my blood shall cry from the ground7 for vengeance,8 and it shall be said of me, ‘He was murdered in cold blood!’
Quote #2 Franklin D. Richards taught, “If we would devote a little time to self-examination when we go to bed, review the events of the day, see if our conduct has been such as God can approve of, and as enables us to lie down with a conscience void of offense towards God and all men, Acts 24:16 D&C 135:4 we do well, and if we cannot do that it is time to repent. If we have wronged anybody, we should make it right. And when something comes along to cross us or disturb our equanimity, instead of throwing out words that are like daggers, lacerating the feelings of those to whom they are addressed, we should shut our mouths.”
Acts 23: 2-7 Paul continues to experience persecution.
Acts 23:11 I want to think again of the verses from Philippians that I shared at the beginning. He’s being smitten, arrested, threatened. Yet despite all the trials and unfair accusations he experiences, he says he has all and abounds! He is told by the Lord to be of good cheer...which seems to indicate that perhaps he doesn’t feel this gratitude every minute (that’s a relief!) But he still exemplifies such trust, such faith, such gratitude, such positivity. I’m amazed by him!
