Acts 12 14 Pauls Missionary Journeys the level

Acts 12 -14 Paul’s Missionary Journeys

the level of opposition when trying to live the gospel No opposition Moses’ day Joseph Smith’s day Adam and Eve’s day Before the Second Coming After the Second Coming Nephi’s day Paul’s day Constant opposition

• Since the martyrdom of Stephen, the Christians in and around Jerusalem had experienced increasing persecution. King Herod Agrippa I contributed to this persecution in a big way. Herod Agrippa I was the nephew of Herod Antipus, who killed John the Baptist, and also the grandson of Herod the Great. He was generally popular with the Pharisees because he was careful to observe Jewish customs. It may be for this reason— to be popular among the Jews—that he ordered the death of James. Agrippa died at the age of 54, in A. D. 44, the same year James was martyred. • The day following Peter’s escape from prison (today’s lesson), Herod learned of Peter’s escape and executed the guards he felt were responsible for allowing Peter to escape. • Acts 12: 1 -4 • Great principle about surrendering our will: Acts 12: 5 -7 (how comfortable and confident is Peter in God’s promises? )

Acts 12 -14 Humor in scriptures? Rhoda (Acts 12: 12 -13, 14, 15, 16) (Forgets to open the door for Peter) How long does it take you to answer a door?

Acts 12 -14

President Monson “My dear brothers and sisters, I love you, and I pray for you. Please pray for me. And together we will reap the blessings our Heavenly Father has in store for each one of us. ” April 2008 General Conference

Prayer What principle can we learn from this account about the effect our prayers can have on ourselves and others? “Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer”). When has prayer invited God’s miracles and blessings into your life or into the lives of others for whom you have prayed?

As certain prophets and teachers were gathered in Antioch in Syria, they received direction from the Holy Ghost that Paul and Barnabas should be called to preach the gospel together. After they were set apart, Saul and Barnabas traveled from Antioch to the island of Cyprus and preached in a synagogue in the city Salamis. From there they traveled to the other side of the island to the city Paphos.

Acts 12 -14 Paul’s First Missionary Journey - Acts 13 MISSION PREP Pair up and tell the Joseph Smith story in 1 minute In 30 seconds In 10 seconds Switch and tell the story of the Book of Mormon in 1 min. In 30 seconds In 10 seconds Let’s read Acts 13: 2 -5, 9 -12, 44, 49, 52 as they start their first journey. Ups and downs as a missionary - Acts 14: 8 -12 Hailed as Gods! Ups and downs as a missionary - Acts 14: 19 -20 Hailed with stones.

Highs and Lows A mission is a strange experience, It’s a trial and a test. A mission throws at you the worst, Yet teaches you the best. I’ve never had it quite so easy I’ve never had it quite so tough. Things have never been so smooth, Things have never been so rough. I’ve never been so happy, I’ve never been so depressed, I’ve never felt so forsaken, I’ve never felt so blessed. I've never traveled through more valleys, I've never ascended so many peaks. I've never met so many nice people, I've never met so many freaks! I've never been so confused, Things have never been so clear. I've never felt Heavenly Father so distant, Yet, He's never been so near. I’ve never had so many ups, I’ve never had so many downs. I’ve never worn so many smiles, I’ve never worn so many frowns. I’ve never been so discouraged, I’ve never been so full of hope. I feel I could go on forever, I think I’ve come to the end of my rope! I’ve never been so lonely, I’ve never had so many friends. Boy, I hope this is all over soon! Gosh, I hope it never ends!

Acts 12 -14 Brigham Young said of the Prophet Joseph Smith: "Joseph could not have been perfected, though he had lived a thousand years, if he had received no persecution. If he had lived a thousand years, and led this people, and preached the Gospel without persecution, he would not have been perfected as well as he was at the age of thirty‑nine years" (Discourses of Brigham Young, 351)

Acts 12 -14 Read of Paul’s challenges; would you trade with him? 1. Acts 14: 2 -7 2. Acts 14: 19 -20 3. Acts 16: 19 -24 4. Acts 17 chapter heading 5. Acts 18: 4 -6 Share blessings that have come to you or to people you know as they have faithfully passed through tribulation.

Acts 12 -14 Why do we have trials? Is God behind each trial? Self-inflicted Telestial world Inflicted by others God-sent So what’s the purpose of life?

Acts 12 -14 “This life is a test. How [we] respond is the test. ” (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Oct ’ 83)

The Refiner’s Fire Video “The Refiner’s Fire” (5: 02). This video is available on LDS. org.

Acts 12 -14 What have you learned through your personal trials or through the trials of those around you?

Acts 12 -14 Elder Robert D. Hales: “There is meaning and purpose in our earthly challenges. … Each of us must go through certain experiences to become more like our Savior. In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us” (“Faith through Tribulation Brings Peace and Joy, ” Ensign or Liahona, May 2003, 17). Elder Quentin L. Cook: “There are many kinds of challenges. Some give us necessary experiences. Adverse results in this mortal life are not evidence of lack of faith or of an imperfection in our Father in Heaven’s overall plan. The refiner’s fire is real, and qualities of character and righteousness that are forged in the furnace of affliction perfect and purify us and prepare us to meet God” (“The Songs They Could Not Sing, ” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 106).

Acts 12 -14 Elder Lynn G. Robbins: ‘Which way do you face? ’ President Boyd K. Packer surprised me with this puzzling question while we were traveling together on my very first assignment as a new Seventy. Without an explanation to put the question in context, I was baffled. In Isaiah the Lord warns us, ‘Fear ye not the reproach of men’ (Isaiah 51: 7; see also 2 Nephi 8: 7). In Lehi’s dream, this fear was triggered by the finger of scorn pointed from the great and spacious building, causing many to forget which way they faced and to leave the tree ‘ashamed’ (see 1 Nephi 8: 25– 28)” (“Which Way Do You Face? ” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 9).

Acts 12 -14 Paul’s Frist Missionary Journey