We are Witnesses - Scriptures and Quotes

Lesson 28: “We Are Witnesses” – Scriptures and Quotes

According to Bruce R. McConkie, the book of Acts is foremost "in telling how the Church and kingdom of God on earth operates when Jesus the King is not personally resident on planet earth." (DNTC, 2:19)

Reading 1 – Acts 1:1-8

Luke 24:49

Reading 2 – 3 Nephi 15:1

Reading 3 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie illustrated the difference between the influence of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost: “Before baptism [all people] may receive revelation from the Holy Ghost for the purpose of giving them a testimony of the truth and divinity of the Lord’s work on earth. After baptism they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and it is then their right to have the constant companionship of that member of the Godhead if they keep the commandments. The testimony before baptism, speaking by way of analogy, comes as a flash of lightning blazing forth in a dark and stormy night; it comes to light the path on which earth’s pilgrims, far from their heavenly home and lost in the deserts and swamps of the world, must walk if they are to return to the Divine Presence. The companionship of the Holy Ghost after baptism is as the continuing blaze of the sun at noonday, shedding its rays on the path of life and on all that surrounds it” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 262, included in Missionary Preparation Student Manual, Chapter 3 - The Companionship of the Holy Ghost).

Reading 4 – Acts 1:9-11

Reading 5 – Acts 1:21-26

Reading 6 - President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: "There is no set rule in regard to the choosing of apostles. For instance: The first Twelve chosen in this dispensation were selected by the Three Witnesses. Others, both in the day of the Prophet and since his day, have been chosen by direct revelation through the President of the Church. Others have been chosen as was Matthias in the days of the ancient apostles. At other times, the members of the Presidency and the Twelve present names which are considered by the First Presidency and one chosen by 'lot' much as Matthias was." (Doctrines Of Salvation, 3:150-151)

Reading 7 – Acts 2:1-4

Speaking of the dedication of the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith wrote: "Brother George A. Smith arose and began to prophesy, when a noise as heard like the sound of a rushing mighty wind, which filled the Temple, and all the congregation simultaneously arose, being moved upon by an invisible power; many began to speak in tongues and prophesy; others saw glorious visions; and I beheld the Temple was filled with angels, which fact I declared to the congregation. The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place." (HC, 2:428)

Acts 2:5-12

Reading 8 – Acts 2:14, 32-33, 36-40

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Reading 9 – Acts 3:1-8

Acts 3:19-21

Reading 10 – Acts 4:7-12

Acts 4:18-20

Acts 5:27-32