Acts 13-15

What is the Primary significance of Paul’s first missionary journal?

– It led to the establishment of branches of the church in areas far removed from Jerusalem. Many heard and received the gospel message who could otherwise not have done so. In addition, we have an opportunity to see Paul in his new capacity as a leader and an organizer.

– He enters a town where there are no members, where most have not so much as heard of Jesus Christ. When he leaves, there is a small but thriving branch. When the Jews reject the word of God, Paul turns to the Gentiles.

What do we know about Paul?

“He is about five feet high; very dark hair; dark complexion; dark skin; large Roman nose; sharp face; small black eyes, penetrating as eternity; round shoulders; a whining voice, except when elevated, and then it almost resembles a roaring lion. He was a good orator, active and diligent, always employing himself in doing good to his fellow man” (Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, 1938, 180).

• President Joseph Fielding Smith has written: “Paul was an ordained Apostle, and without question he took the place of one of the other brethren in that council (B.R. McConkie, DNTC, 131).

Profile of Paul

1. City of Paul’s birth: Tarsus (Acts 21:39)

2. Paul’s citizenship: Roman (Acts 22:25-29; 23:27)

3. Paul’s trade or occupation: Tentmaker (Acts 18:3)

4. Languages Paul spoke: Greek, Hebrew, Egyptian (Acts 21:37-40; 22:2)

5. Religious group he belonged to: Pharisee (Acts 26:5)

His teacher: Gamaliel (Acts 22:3)

7. Christian who taught and baptized him: Ananias (Acts 9:10-18; 22:12-16)

8. Place where Paul went to be alone:Arabia (Galations 1:17)

9. Apostles he visited for fifteen days:Peter (Galations 1:18)

Acts 13:1“Certain Prophets and Teachers”

“Not one prophet, but many; not one teacher, but many - with those named being examples. There are always prophets and teachers- a great host of them - in the true Church. Indeed, where the Lord’s prophets and teachers are found, there is the Lord’s Church…” (DNTC 2:119).

Is not every General Conference a testimony of this truth?

Acts 13:2-3“Laid their hands upon them and sent them

away”

Peter Paul

Acts 3:2-3 healing the lame Acts 14:8-10Acts 5:16 exorcizing a demon Acts 16:18Acts 8:18-24 confronting sorcerers Acts 13:6-11Acts 9:36-41 raising the dead Acts 20:9-12Acts 12:7-11 miraculous release Acts 16:25-26

from prison

• Acts 13:10 “Thou child of the devil!”

Alma 11:23

• Acts 13:46 “Ultimate slam to the Jews!”

Then Paul and Barnabus waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

• Acts 13:48

JST 13:48 Ordained unto eternal life!

2 Peter 1

• Acts 14 “All in a day’s work!”

Map 19 - first missionary journey!

1. Persecution attends spreading of the gospel.

2. Paul heals a cripple. (Acts 14:8-15)

3. He and Barnabus hailed as gods! (Acts 14:11, Alma 8:1-17)

Sometimes we today have to be reminded not to regard our General Authorities as super-humans, just as Paul had to remind the people of Lystra.

Elder McConkie said, “with all their inspiration and greatness, prophets are yet mortal men with imperfections common to mankind in general. They have their opinions and prejudices and are left to work out their own problems without inspiration in many instances.”

• Joseph Smith recorded that he visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that “a prophet is always a prophet”; but I told them, that a prophet was a prophet only when he was acting as such (M.D., 1966, 608).

4. Paul stoned, revived and preached (Acts 14:19-20) (Acts 14:22) We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.

5. Ordains other Elders (v. 23)

• Acts 15 “Start of Paul’s second Missionary Journey”

(Map 20)

• Acts 15:1-2 “Circumcision?”

• Acts 15:16 “First General Conference?”

• Acts 15:36-41 “Fellow-shipping and companion problems!”