Paul's Example of Courage and Conviction
After three successful missionary journeys that took him into many lands, Paul returned to Jerusalem even though he knew it was dangerous to do so. Read Acts 21:10-14, 22-25, and answer the following questions in writing:
o Who was Agabus? (See also Acts 11:28) Agabus was a prophet.
o What did Agabus prophesy concerning Paul? He prophesied that Paul would be captured and bound by the Jews in Jerusalem.
o How did Paul respond? Paul said that he was not only prepared to be bound in Jerusalem, but was ready to die there.
o What consequences did Paul know would come if he followed the Spirit’s direction to go to Jerusalem? Paul knew that if he listened to the Spirit he would die in Jerusalem.
o How did Paul’s friends react to his commitment? Paul’s friends said “The will of the Lord be done.” (v. 14)
o How did this demonstrate Paul’s commitment to Christ? Paul showed he was totally committed to Christ and doing His will, even if it meant going to his death.
2. Study Acts 21:26-26:32 and write answers to the following questions:
o What did Paul do that led to his arrest? In Acts 22, Paul shared his conversion story with the people.
o What did the Lord say when He appeared to Paul following Paul’s examination by the Sanhedrin? The Lord said "Be of good Cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. How has the Lord helped you “be of good cheer” during difficult times? Oh, there are so many examples of the Lord helping me with this very thing! I clearly remember the night Preston had a heart attack in 2013. As I was following behind the ambulance in my car on the way to the hospital, I heard so clearly a voice that said "no matter what happens, everything is going to be okay." There was such a feeling of peace surrounding that entire nightmare of a night that it is hard to explain. But I know the Lord was with Preston, me and our youngest son who was home because we were calm and at peace.
o What did Paul say that caused Felix to tremble? Felix trembled when Paul spoke to him "Concerning the faith in Christ" and "reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come." I imagine this thought of "judgment" is probably why Felix trembled, because he was afraid of how he would be judged for his actions.
o Why didn’t Felix let Paul go? I think Felix didn't let Paul go because he was hoping he could bribe Paul for money in exchange for his release.
o What happened when Paul “appealed unto Caesar”? I am having a hard time understanding these verses especially in trying to answer these questions, but I found this quote online from ldsgospeldoctrine.net: “Paul's firm decision to invoke his right as a Roman citizen was probably an unpleasant one to Festus. It was embarrassing enough for a procurator ever to have his decisions
appealed to Caesar, but to have his first administrative decision thus appealed was to prejudice the
imperial government against him. But after conferring with the Council, composed of administrative
legal advisers, Festus decided that Paul's appeal was a valid one. He turned to the Apostle and said,
‘Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.’ (Acts 25:12)” (Sidney B. Sperry, Paul's
Life and Letters [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1955], 221.)) (http://www.ldsgospeldoctrine.net/bwc/bwc-nt-38.pdf)
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o Review Acts 26 and compare the differences in the reactions of Festus (a Roman) and Agrippa (a Jew) to Paul’s testimony. Which of them said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”? Agrippa said "Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian" in Acts 26: 28. What prevents people today from fully accepting the truth when they hear it? I think change is hard and when we accept the gospel as truth, it requires us to make changes in our lives that aren't easy to make. It is easier to stay in our comfort zone. I also think peer and family pressure has something to do with it, too. When we hear truth and it threatens the status quo, other people don't want us to change either. I know this happened right before Preston and I were baptized. My mom did not support the idea at all and did her best to try to convince me that I didn't need to be baptized again because I had been baptized as an infant.
o In which situation that you read about do you think Paul demonstrated the greatest courage? Why did you choose this example? I think Paul demonstrated courage each time he stood before the leaders and shared his testimony and conversion story with them. But it seems like King Agrippa was less antagonistic towards Paul than Felix or Festus.
o Who do you know who has the courage to stand up for what he or she believes even in the face of opposition? Read the institute student manual Points to Ponder section, “You Can Prepare to Act with the Same Courage That Paul Exhibited in Presenting the Message of Jesus Christ” (pp.346-47). Write a paragraph explaining what you could do to develop that kind of courage. This semester I am taking FAML 460, a senior level Marriage and Family Studies class on becoming an Advocate for Children and Families. It is teaching each of us how to stand for truth and righteousness and have just the kind of courage that Paul demonstrated as we research various issues that threaten the family in today's society. Many of our beliefs and what we know about the Doctrine of the Family is in direct contrast to the ways of the world, whether we are talking about same sex marriage, pornography, divorce, cohabitation or any of a number of other threats. One of the ways that I am trying to develop courage to speak out on what I know to be true is to plead with the Lord for His spirit to be with me, to help me recognize truth and then to put the words that he would have me speak (or write) into my mind so I can share them with others. The other thing I am trying to do is to really and truly LEARN the doctrine and the research surrounding these threats so they are carried deep into my heart. It requires a lot of study and prayer. The problem is the Adversary's "minions" are all educated and wily in their abilities to confuse and twist words, so as advocates we really have to know what we are talking about it and be truly converted to the truths we are trying to share.
3. Acts 27-28 recounts how Paul took many opportunities to teach and bless others because of his faith and courage. After reading these chapters, write your answers to the following questions:
o What happened when the master of the ship rejected Paul’s counsel? When the ship master rejected Paul's counsel, a terrible storm came up and they were "exceedingly tossed with a tempest" and the boat sustained damage. (Acts 27:18)
o What motivated the centurion to disregard Paul’s counsel? The centurion believed the master and owner of the ship more than he believed the words that Paul spoke (Acts 27:11)
o Why do some people occasionally disregard our Church leaders’ counsel? Sometimes people disregard the counsel of our leaders because of peer pressure from their friends who don't want to be obedient. Mostly it is a matter of pride - they think they know better than God and His servants. What have you experienced that has helped you know of the importance of following Church leaders’ counsel? It is hard not to see the terrible, heartbreaking consequences of those who don't follow the teachings of the Prophets. Just in the last few months we have seen two very vocal opponents to the Gospel be excommunicated because of their refusal to humble themselves and repent and stop the work they are doing to destroy other people's testimonies. For me, I am so thankful I have a childlike faith that seems to immediately testify to me the truthfulness of what the Prophets are teaching and I gain a testimony they are speaking the truth. But I see others who are more tempted to doubt and question and contend against their teachings. I worry a lot about them and whether they will get through their questions with their testimonies and covenants intact.
o How do 2 Nephi 9:20 (O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.)and Amos 3:7(Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.) help explain how Paul could know that all of the passengers would arrive on land safely even though the ship would be destroyed in the storm? Paul said that all night he had an angel of God at his side who told him not to be afraid and that everyone would be with him when he was brought before Caesar. How was this prophecy fulfilled? The ship "ran aground" and part of it was broken apart because of the violence of the waves. And although the soldier said they should kill the prisoners, the centurion chose to believe Paul's words that everyone would survive and they all made it safely to land. How did Paul use his priesthood power while on the island of Melita? Paul was bitten on the hand by a viper and used his Priesthood power to heal himself. He "felt no harm" and although he should have been swollen or even dead, no harm came to him. What does this incident suggest about the purpose of priesthood power? While I don't think healing happens to "show off" God's power, I do think they are able to help people see His power. And, it also shows us that if God has a work for us to do, He will help us find a way to do it. If the viper had killed Paul, his mission would not have been complete.
4. Review Acts 28:16-31 and the institute student manual commentary for Acts 28:16-31, “What Do We Know Concerning Paul’s Activities While He Was Imprisoned in Rome?” (p. 343). Describe in writing what we know about Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. How did he turn this trial to his advantage? What can we learn from Paul about being a faithful witness of Jesus Christ? Even though Paul was imprisoned he "used his time wisely" to preach the Gospel and to also write four of his Epistles - Phillipians, Colossians, Ephesians and Philemon. Every trial we face is an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord. No matter what we are facing, we have covenanted to "stand as a witness at all times and in all things and in all places". We must always faithfully witness of Christ.
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