. The Book of Acts. In its commonly understood sense, the gift of tongues is one such, but President Joseph F. Smith stressed its more practical aspect: I needed the gift of tongues once, and the Lord gave it to me. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Later in the New Testament the Greek term episkopos will be used for the office of bishop, but that is not the sense here, especially since it is based on an Old Testament passage that is describing general leadership rather than a specific office. All gifts and endowments given of the Lord to members of his Church are not given to control the Church; but they are under the control and guidance of the Priesthood, and are judged of by it. The gift of tongues is used by missionaries to teach the gospel to the nations of the world.[17]. Provo, UT 84602 Answer "The Way" is mentioned several times in the book of Acts ( Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22) in connection with early followers of Christ. . The Greek language had become so dominant among Jews several centuries before the rise of Christianity, in fact, that a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible became necessary, thus giving birth to the Septuagint. Since Pentecost in 28 A.D., anyone can be born again by confessing with their mouth Jesus as lord and believing that God raised him from the dead(Romans 10:9). As such, it provides us with a valuable account of how the church was able to grow and spread out from Jerusalem into the rest of the Roman Empire. 6, Acts to Revelation, ed. The modern-day Quorum of the Twelve has received their keys and power of apostleship through a line of authority from three of the ancient Apostles: Peter, James, and John. And that was important for the people to hear in that terrible hour of confusion and fear. The modern Apostles likewise have been endowed with power from on high and rely on the Holy Ghost to fulfill their special mission. Even before the Jewish Revolt and destruction of the Temple in AD 70, when most Christians had fled Jerusalem, Antioch became an important focal point. "The Book of Acts." We forget all the statements that limited the gospel to the house of Israel, and we start going to the gentiles.[23]. 2023 Insight for Living Ministries. God wants His message of hope and salvation to extend to all peoplein Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (1:8). [2] All scripture references are to passages in Acts unless otherwise designated. The transition is best illustrated by Peters vision in which he heard a voice telling him, What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy (10:15). Christ was not only directing the actions of His Apostles through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit; He was also speaking through them by the same Spirit. (NIV), Acts 5:41-42The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Perhaps a Latter-day Saint experience that could be comparable to the early Churchs inclusion of Gentiles would be the inclusion of groups not already fully a part of the Church, such as the revelation in 1978 extending the priesthood to all worthy males. Acts covers the first 30-35 years of church history. For what can be done here interculturally in a small way is what mankind must do on a large scale if we are ever to have real brotherhood on this earth.[20] Another example is the missionaries at Temple Square, who come from all over the world to Salt Lake City, to spread the gospel in their own languages next to Church headquarters, while many other missionaries go throughout the world learning new languages and associating with new cultures. Peter also felt he could no longer call any man common or unclean (see v. 28). Luke was not one of the 12 disciples. They arrived in the city of Perga, where John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (which, interestingly, was in the opposite direction from where they just came). The Book of Acts Links Jesus' Life and Ministry to the Life of the Early Church. 26). Because of the inspiration and revelation involved, a General Authority is actually divinely appointed and is approved by the Council of the Twelve before being called and set apart, and later sustained by the general conference.[10]. They were amazed because much of the multitude was from various parts of the Near East and eastern Mediterranean, yet they heard these Galilean Apostles speaking in their own tongue. President Harold B. Lee cautions that we need modern revelation to fully understand the offices and duties mentioned in the New Testament: We are able by reading the Bible to identify every priesthood office existing in the restored church of Jesus Christ, but modern revelation, giving us the complete organization, is necessary in order to understand how the organization functioned and the relationship of church officers to each other. May 28th, 2023, 10:30am | Pentecost Sunday. Acts 9:31 - So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. Learn Religions. [27] Although it would be impossible to list all such differences, perhaps it is helpful to focus on the principle behind a policy. Fairchild, Mary. In the process, new policies, procedures, and leadership positions have been implemented just as in the early Church. [22] God-fearers were Gentiles who had become sympathetic to Judaism but had not fully converted, most likely due to the Mosaic requirements of circumcision, ceremonial cleanliness, and kosher diet. With this endowment of spiritual power, the Apostles truly became the pillars of the growing Church with Peter as the chief pillar. One in which he is the most deceptive is the gift of tongues. [18] One of the most well known of this new group of leaders was Stephen, who later became an early martyr for the Church as he boldly defended himself before the Jewish leaders and beheld a vision of the Father and the Son just before being stoned to death outside the walls of Jerusalem (see chapter 7). Likewise, early Latter-day Saint Church history is full of shifting centers of Church headquarters. Consequently, they form the foundation for the future growth of the Church in that area. Even more astounding: The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira did not cause a crisis . Many Jews in the land of Israel, but particularly Jews living outside of Israel in Diaspora (exile from the land of Israel), became Hellenized and thus adopted many Greek ways of thinking and especially the Greek language. Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. Acts 1 shows how 120 disciples of Jesus spent 10 days together in prayer, comparing Scripture and making leadership decisions. Their direct presence allowed greater service to the local membership while maintaining their roles as witnesses of Christ to all the world. What had begun as a small Jewish following in the Galilee started to stretch throughout the Roman Empire, eventually to become the imperial religion in the fourth century AD. The Gospel According to Luke concludes where Acts begins, namely, with Christ's Ascension into heaven. The Hebrews, on the other hand, were more traditional Jews who had converted to Christianity. 5. Spreading the Gospel beyond Original Cultural, National, and Racial GroupsActs 10. The book of Acts details the beginning of the church and its miraculous spread through the power of the Holy Spirit. The remaining sixteen chapters describe Paul's activities, beginning with his mission to the church at Antioch and ending with an account . PRAYER IN THE BOOK OF ACTS By Mark E. Moore, PhD The book of Acts is, in many ways a blue print of how to "do church." Prayer is an excellent example. Authorship of the book of Acts is attributed to Luke. Ten days after Jesus ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9), the Holy Spirit was poured out upon 120 of Jesus' followers who waited and prayed (Acts 1:15; 2:1-4). Many modern Church leaders have stressed that one of our greatest callings in this dispensation is to further the kingdom of God on earth. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the receipt of apostolic keys and the commission to take the gospel to all the world are also significant matters. In what they taught, Emmanuel found answers to questions that had troubled him for years. Each of them has since held a variety of Church callings. God bless Chuck, God bless Insight For Living. [23] Bruce R. McConkie, The New Revelation on Priesthood, in Priesthood (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981), 13132. Then I sought earnestly for the gift of tongues, and by this gift and by study, in a hundred days after landing upon those [Hawaiian] islands I could talk to the people in their language as I now talk to you in my native tongue. During Christs lifetime, the spreading of the gospel was focused on the house of Israel, and consequently most of the events occurred in Judea and Galilee. Thus once again a belief in modern revelation is the key to presenting additional information about doctrines, correcting improper practices, and changing policies and practices when necessary to reflect new situations. The witness reaches Rome - Acts 27:1-28:31. Changes in Church Policy or PracticeActs 15. He encouraged the council not to put a yoke (the law of Moses) upon them that they would not be able to bear (see v. 10). Apparently this new attitude towards the Gentiles was resisted by some Jewish Christians, as some contended with Peter when he returned to Jerusalem and they found out about his dealings with the Gentiles (see 11:13). It's important to recognize that the church did not begin or grow through its own power or initiative. It is not permissible for them to say, I believe, simply; I have accepted it simply because I believe it. This question should ring through your mind as you page through the book of Acts. It is found only six times in the Book of Acts and eight times in the rest of the New Testament. In one sense the Church is still being organized. It doesnt make a particle of difference what anybody ever said about the Negro matter before the first day of June 1978. In 1981 Elder McConkie discussed the parallel between the inclusion of the gentiles and the lifting of the priesthood ban. Christ's work, both in the church and in the world, is supernatural, born of his Spirit. Because of decades of Church policy and hypothetical reasoning for the priesthood ban, it was a difficult change for some members of the Church. Acts ends abruptly with Paul imprisoned in Rome, waiting to bring his appeal before Caesar. Another particular challenge the early Church had was taking the gospel beyond the house of Israel to the Gentiles since so much of their past history and efforts were focused on the covenant people. Acts 10 details two intertwined visions involving the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion and most likely a God-fearer,[22] which were key experiences for Peter in widening the expanse of the work towards the Gentiles. They then petitioned God, who knows mens hearts, to show them which of the two He would choose (see v. 24). These Apostles were given a commission to be witnesses of Christ unto the uttermost part of the earth, and they were promised power through the Holy Ghost in order to help them fulfill their stewardship (1:8). He was a Greek and the only Gentile Christian writer of the New Testament. This blessing allows the gospel to be carried throughout the world to people of many different languages. Listen to Chuck Swindolls overview of Acts in his audio message from the Classic series Gods Masterwork. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Fairchild, Mary. As alluded to above, some recent notable examples of organizational changes include Area Presidencies and Area Seventies as well as some Apostles living abroad in a specific region for an extended period of time. We know that Luke was a faithful friend and travel companion of Paul. Jared W. Ludlow is an assistant professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, The book of Acts was written by Luke after his Gospel as the second part of a great two-volume work on Jesus Christ and the early Christians. Although some Christians, usually referred to as Jewish Christians or Judaizers, continued to stress the Mosaic traditions in their Christian worship (see 21:1725), the Jerusalem Councils policy helped pave the way for a greater inclusion of Gentiles into Christianity. The Latter-day Saint Church has also faced many issues that have resulted in policy changes and official declarations sent out to Church membership to inform and educate the members about such changes. We can stand firm knowing God will do the work, opening doors of opportunity even in the midst of severe opposition. [1] Luke states at the beginning of Acts that his writing is addressed to Theophilus. There are 1,189 Chapters In The Bible. Robert J. Matthews offers an interesting perspective on this issue: There was that conflict between the doctrine of the Church and Jewish culture. Thus for western Christians, Rome is associated more as the capital of Christianity than Jerusalem or any other site of Jesuss actual life and ministry. Changes in organization or procedures are a testimony that revelation is ongoing. Grant Building Jan Shipps and John E. Welch (Provo, UT, and Urbana: BYU Studies and University of Illinois Press, 1994); and Edward J. Brandt, And He Gave Some, Apostles, Liahona, September 2001, 3239. These new converts formed the base of the Church in its heartland of Jerusalem (vv. Additional Church OrganizationActs 6:18. This passage occurs immediately after two people dropped dead in the church (Acts 5:1-11). Bruce R. McConkie [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1956], 3:15051). . Acts was written in Greek, presumably by St. Luke the Evangelist. The problem was settled. After some teaching and traveling, they came upon a body of water, where the Ethiopian proclaimed his belief and was baptized. They cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias, who then joined the eleven Apostles (see v. Paul and Barnabas likewise spoke of the many spiritual experiences they had shared with the Gentiles as evidence of Gods acceptance of the Gentiles conversion (see v. 12). They decided, therefore, to call seven men from among the Hellenists to take this responsibility so that the Apostles could continue to focus on the ministry of the word (v. Ti 3:5-7 5. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such? And all I can say to that is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Emmanuel Abu Kissis experience with his extended family is typical of Church growth in Ghanaone persons testimony becoming a catalyst for the faith of others. Peter and his companions learned through the vision and through the spiritual preparation of these Gentiles that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him (3435). 14). 1028) (Bible Dictionary, Acts of the Apostles, 603). The Apostles met with the Hellenist community and explained that with the growth of the Church and the need for their missionary service in new areas, they could not adequately care for the widows alone (see 6:2). Learn Religions, Apr. This is how the church is established and continues to grow, spreading locally and then continuing to the ends of the earth. As light and knowledge are given, as prophecies are fulfilled and more intelligence is received, another step forward can be taken.[25] The ninth article of faith expresses the hope that even greater revelations are forthcoming: And we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God (emphasis added). There was a purpose in it. In this way, the gift is frequently enjoyed by LDS missionaries today.[16]. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world. President Boyd K. Packer expressed this sentiment when he said, Revelation is a continuous principle in the Church. President Spencer W. Kimball further described the role of the Apostles in relation to succession of leadership in the presidency of the Church: Full provision has been made by our Lord for changes. These opposing viewpoints occasionally clashed and resulted in a council in Jerusalem around AD 50 to settle the matter (Acts 15). An interesting episode in Acts that highlights the growing diversity of the Church and its converts is the encounter between Philip and an Ethiopian in Acts 8:2639. . Thus to adapt to growing, global dynamics, the Church sometimes encourages mixed congregations, sometimes separate language congregations, and all the while strives to strengthen individual members in areas where the Church is developing so they can build a strong foundation for future growth in those areas. . This verse actually comes from Psalm 109:8, where the Hebrew term is pkudah (oversight; charge; position) which the Greek Septuagint translates like the New Testament as episkopos. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. [24] Other Christians, most notably Paul, felt that since Jesus had fulfilled the law, the requirements of the law were not necessary for salvation and the Christian covenant was beyond these Jewish aspects, thus making it unnecessary for Gentiles to comply, although many Jewish Christians, such as James the Just, continued to do so. They had spent several years accompanying Jesus during His ministry, but upon His Ascension they were left to carry on the work alone. They maintained a stronger link to their Semitic language background and culture, speaking Aramaic, which was closely related to Hebrew. Read the revelation; the Lord informs us they must know, they must get the knowledge for themselves. There are many pioneers in the Church in Ghana. Our usual interpretation of this gift, communicating in a foreign language for teaching, differs from some other Christian groups, but even from the time of Paul (see 1 Corinthians 14), the wisdom of properly communicating and understanding through this gift is the key blessing. https://www.learnreligions.com/book-of-acts-701031 (accessed June 8, 2023). The reason for this is that it is very easy for Lucifer to falsely duplicate the gift of tongues and confuse the members of the Church. While en route he overheard an Ethiopian man, a prominent official of the Ethiopian queen, reading from a key messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53. The Hellenists felt their widows were being neglected by the Hebrews, so they took their concerns to the Apostles. Certain doctrines and principles have been taught through the ages in the various settings where Gods covenant people have been, yet how the Church or law of God was administered in those settings varied. 2:7).The direction of Acts is one of ever-expanding global reach. It is worth noting that in this history of the early Christian church, Luke mentioned neither Pauls death (AD 6468) nor the persecution of Christians that broke out under Nero (AD 64). Acts 11:24 - for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. In likening the scriptures unto ourselves, we can examine some episodes from Acts and ask, how did the first Apostles overcome obstacles in the growth of the early Church and how can we incorporate their solutions into similar modern-day dilemmas? In the vision he was commanded to partake of the animals, but he resisted due to their unclean status (see vv. There are 66 different books in the Bible, and each of those books is broken into chapters. A. In fact, as Joseph Smith observed, only one or two of the gifts are visible when in operation. Elder Robert D. Hales stated: We are told by prophets in this dispensation that revelation for the direction of the Church will not be given through the gift of tongues. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. President Joseph F. Smith taught that the modern Apostles are supposed to be eye and ear witnesses of the divine mission of Jesus Christ. Philip was prompted by an angel to go south from Jerusalem to Gaza. Today there are fourteen apostles holding the keys in suspension, the twelve and the two counselors to the President, to be brought into use if and when circumstances allow, all ordained to leadership in their turn as they move forward in seniority. B. H. Roberts, 2nd ed. It has truly become a world religion with congregations and temples dotting the globe. Eventually the bishop of Rome came to be seen as the chief successor of the Apostles and as the father of all bishops (pope). The Church Universal Matthew 16:18, 19 especially refers to the Church Universal. [12] Today it is more common to signify selecting or sustaining a Church leader through raising the right arm, and this is done on the quorum level by unanimity when sustaining a new member, and by the worldwide Church at special conferences. Updated on May 06, 2019 Book of Acts The book of Acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It can be perceived today as an odd method of selecting someone; however, in the ancient world there was certainly a feeling that Gods will was manifest through this selection process by the inspiration of which name was selected in the end. Some regard Theophilus as merely a metaphor for any friend of God, which is the literal meaning of the Greek word. We can thus see that these duties and functions persist, such as overseeing a congregation or quorum as a pastor (shepherd), in the various offices of the priesthood and administrative titles of the Church today. 4247), but still many others probably returned to their homelands and planted the seeds for future work among the gentiles and, moreover, for the future establishment of the Church in distant lands.[15]. Acts 1:8"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." An ancient prologue to Lukes gospel indicates that Luke was first a follower of the apostles and then became close with Paul.1 This is exactly how the book of Acts unfolds, beginning with Peter and ending with Paul. HOW MANY CHAPTERS IN NEW TESTAMENT Bible Stats Number of Verses by Book and Chapter - New Testament TheBible.life Bible Study Web Application 100% fre JavaScript is required for TheBible.life Site Map The fruit-bearing of John 15 is reproductionChristians producing new Christians through divinely empowered evangelism. . What opportunities for sharing the gospel can you take advantage of in the days to come? This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Shortly after they had reconstituted their quorum, a dramatic spiritual experience occurred on the day of Pentecost that helped pave the way for the spreading of the gospel in different lands. As of today, the Latter-day Saint Church has expanded far beyond its humble origins and its western home along the Rocky Mountains. This is the story of Christianity's beginnings and how evangelism played . When a believer lives his life absolutely submitted to the will of Christ (John 15:9-10) and in total dependence on Him for power to live and serve Him, he can expect to reproduce. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expressed this sentiment about the role of the Spirit in guiding the Church: From the outset (at least from the first verse of the book of Acts) the declaration was that the Church would continue to be divinely led, not mortally led. President Packer commented on this group: There are those within the Church who are disturbed when changes are made with which they disagree or when changes they propose are not made. the Church. This ensured that the foundation of the burgeoning movement would be secure. Since Jesus had followed the requirements of the law of Moses throughout His life, although He often disagreed with different Jewish groups about their interpretations or supplementary traditions, some early Christians felt that maintaining aspects of the law was necessary to properly follow Jesus and comply with the covenant. This manifestation of the Spirit not only empowered the Apostles, but astounded the nearby multitude because every man heard them speak in his own language (v. 6). [11] Spencer W. Kimball, We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet, Ensign, January 1973, 34. When one is baptized (i.e., saved), the Lord adds him or her to His church, which is His . Gifts of the Spirit, 2:545. . Some of them were baptized while studying or working outside the country, then returned home to share their newfound truths with family and friends. The first reference is in Acts 11:30. The witness reaches Greece - Acts 15:36-18:22. 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