"Lesson 6: “They Straightway Left Their Nets”," New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)
1. Introduction
a) Called out of the class last week and wasn’t able to hear Reid’s lesson.
b) Reviewed Reid’s lesson outline on the Gospel Doctrine class website - http://sherwoodgospeldoctrine.blogspot.com/
c) Topic was being born again – born of water and of the Spirit
i) Focused on individual interaction between Christ and
(1) Nicodemus
(2) the Samaritan woman at the well
d) This week, we see Christ dealing with groups of people and beginning to organize His Church
2. Jesus announces that he is the Messiah.
a) Christ returns to Nazareth, where he spent most of His life
b) Reading 1 – Luke 4:16-20
16¶And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
i) Goes to his home and attends services in the synagogue on the Sabbath – Verse 16
ii) Verse 17 - there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias
iii) Verse 18-19 – We’ll return to this in a moment
iv) Verse 20 - he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down
v) When a worthy Jewish man reached the age of 30, he was, if righteous, ready to become a master or rabbi, permitted to read scriptures in the synagogue and expound upon them
vi) Tradition was that a man stood up while he was reading the scriptures, then sat down when he was going to explain or expound upon them – verse 20
vii) Christ read from the Book of Isaiah – Chapter 61, verse 1 and part of verse 2
(1) This is, and was at Christ’s time, one of Isaiah’s great messianic scriptures, speaking of what the Messiah would do when he came.
viii) Verses 18-19 - 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
(1) Verse 18 – All fruits of the Atonement
(a) anointed me – temple ordinance
(b) preach the gospel to the poor – in spirit –
(i) Sermon on the Mount/at the Temple – Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me - 3 Nephi 12:3
(c) heal the brokenhearted
(i) Alma 7 – sicknesses and infirmities
(ii) Enabling power of Atonement
(d) preach deliverance to the captives
(i) Captives of Rome/captives of sin
(e) recovering of sight to the blind
(i) Actual blindness/blindness caused by apostasy and sin
(f) set at liberty them that are bruised
(i) Alma 7
(ii) Enabling power of Atonement
(g) the acceptable year of the Lord
(i) The term “acceptable year” meant the Year of Jubilee, which God had commanded Israel to observe as a type and shadow of the coming Christ. “Ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you.” (Leviticus 25:10-13)
1. Jubilee Year was Every 50 years
2. Remind Israel of the Messiah
3. all debts were canceled
4. all property reverted to its original owners
5. all prisoners and slaves were freed
(ii) Part of the apostasy of Israel was that the Jubilee Year ceased to be celebrated.
c) Christ reads this scripture, closed the book, gives it to the chief rabbi and sits down to explain the scripture.
d) READ – Luke 4:21 - 21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
i) This scripture is fulfilled today, the Messiah has come and I am He.
e) They question how this could be true – this is only Joseph’s son
f) Reading 2 – Luke 4:24-27
24And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
25But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias (Elijah), when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26But unto none of them was Elias (Elijah) sent, save unto Sarepta, (Greek word for Zarephath) a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. (Widow had only a handful of meal and a little oil in a cruze)
27And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus (Elisha) the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. (Healing Naaman by having him bathe 7 times in the Jordan River)
i) Acting through His prophets, the Lord blessed non-Israelites who were obedient rather than disobedient Israelites
g) The men of Nazareth try to kill Christ
h) He leaves Nazareth and resides in Capernaum
3. Jesus calls his Twelve Apostles
a) Jesus is teaching in Gennesaret
i) Located along the northern part of the Sea of Galilee
ii) In our Lord’s day Gennesaret was considered the best part of Galilee, but it became desolate and uncultivated until the rise of modern Israel
b) Reading 3 – Luke 5: 1-3
1And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
i) lake of Gennesaret – Sea of Galilee where it borders the land of Gennesaret
ii) Sees ships by the lake, fishermen washing their nets
(1) Fished during the night when the fish were closer to the surface
(2) Washed their nets after they were finished with their night’s work and it was morning
c) Reading 4 – Luke 5:4-5
4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
i) Christ tells Peter to launch his boat and try fishing more
ii) Peter replies that they have fished all night, they have let down their nets dozens of times when the fish are easy to catch, but have caught nothing
iii) Verse 5 - nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net
iv) ASK – How often in our lives are we called to let down our net when we think it’s a hopeless gesture
(1) The prophet asks us to do something and we can’t see how it possibly applies to us and our situation – I will let down the net
(2) Missionaries – the last house on the block – I will let down the net
(3) Home and visiting teachers going back month after month with no possibility of a positive response - I will let down the net
(a) Talk about home teaching in Tustin
(i) People lived within sight of the church, but hadn’t attended for over 30 years
(ii) Smoked during visits at first
(iii) Stopped smoking, but left the ashtrays out
(iv) Put away the ashtrays
(v) Finally, after about three years, the husband became ill and was in the hospital – asked for a priesthood blessing
d) Reading 5 – Luke 5:6-11
6And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
i) Someone noted that two ships full of fish would have brought enough money for the families of Peter, James and John that the families would have had sustenance while they were away.
ii) Peter, James and John were disciples of John the Baptist
iii) At this time, they were disciples, not apostles
(1) Reading 6 – Bible Dictionary, page 657 - Disciple. A pupil or learner; a name used to denote (1) the twelve, also called apostles, (2) all followers of Jesus Christ. We also read of disciples of John the Baptist and of the Pharisees (Mark 2:18).
(2) Reading 7 – Bible Dictionary, page 612 - Apostle. The word means “one sent forth.” It was the title Jesus gave (Luke 6:13) to the twelve whom he chose and ordained (John 15:16) to be his closest disciples during his ministry on earth, and whom he sent forth to represent him after his ascension into heaven. The calling of an apostle is to be a special witness of the name of Jesus Christ in all the world, particularly of his divinity and of his bodily resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:22; D&C 107:23).
Twelve men with this high calling constitute an administrative council in the work of the ministry. When a vacancy occurred with the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was divinely appointed to that special office as a member of the council (Acts 1:15–26). Today twelve men with this same divine calling and ordination constitute the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The title was also applied to others who, though not of the number of the original twelve, yet were called to serve as special witnesses of the Lord. Paul repeatedly spoke of himself as an apostle (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; 9:1; Gal. 1:1). He applied the title to James, the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:19), and also to Barnabas (1 Cor. 9:5–6; cf. Acts 14:4, 14). The New Testament does not inform us whether these three brethren also served in the council of the Twelve as vacancies occurred therein, or whether they were apostles strictly in the sense of being special witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is referred to as an apostle in Heb. 3:1–2, a designation meaning that he is the personal and select representative of the Father.
e) Calling of Matthew
i) READ – Luke 5:27-28
27¶And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi (Matthew), sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
ii) ASK – What was a publican?
(1) Tax collector
(a) A public contractor
(b) from Latin pūblicānus tax gatherer, from pūblicum state revenues
(2) Moneylender
(3) Describe Roman Tax Farming for collecting taxes in provinces
(a) Bid on the right to tax a province – pay
(b) Obligation for the tax lay on the entire province and could be collected from any individual
(c) Also collected customs taxes
(d) Removed the necessity of having a vast collection of employees who were tax collectors
(e) Could become very corrupt
(4) Augustus Caesar changed this system
(5) Matthew was likely a tax collector for Herod
4. Jesus ordains and instructs the Twelve Apostles
a) Matthew 10 deals with the ordination and instruction of the Apostles
b) Reading 8 – Matthew 10:1, 5-10, 16-20, 27-30, 37-40
1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
BREAK
5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
BREAK
16¶Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
BREAK
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
BREAK
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40¶ He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
i) Reading 9 - President Spencer W. Kimball wrote: "No one in this Church will ever go far astray who ties himself securely to the authorities whom the Lord has placed in his Church. This Church will never go astray; the Quorum of the Twelve will never lead you into bypaths; it never has and never will. There could be individuals who would falter; there will never be a majority of the Council of the Twelve on the wrong side at any time. The Lord has chosen them; he has given them specific responsibilities. And those people who stand close to them will be safe. And, conversely, whenever one begins to go his own way in opposition to authority, he is in grave danger. " (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p459
ii) READ – Doctrine and Covenants 124:45-46
45And if my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.
46But if they will not hearken to my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, because they pollute mine holy grounds, and mine holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words which I give unto them.
iii) READ – Doctrine and Covenants 112:14,19-22,30-31
14Now, I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the Twelve: Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep.
BREAK
19Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word.
20Whosoever receiveth my word receiveth me, and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth those, the First Presidency, whom I have sent, whom I have made counselors for my name’s sake unto you.
21And again, I say unto you, that whosoever ye shall send in my name, by the voice of your brethren, the Twelve, duly recommended and authorized by you, shall have power to open the door of my kingdom unto any nation whithersoever ye shall send them—
22Inasmuch as they shall humble themselves before me, and abide in my word, and hearken to the voice of my Spirit.
BREAK
30For unto you, the Twelve, and those, the First Presidency, who are appointed with you to be your counselors and your leaders, is the power of this priesthood given, for the last days and for the last time, in the which is the dispensation of the fulness of times.
31Which power you hold, in connection with all those who have received a dispensation at any time from the beginning of the creation;
5. Conclusion
