The Number of the Disciples Was Multiplied - Lesson Outline

Lesson 29: “The Number of the Disciples Was Multiplied”, New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)

1. Introduction

a) Continuing in the first half of Acts, tracking the growth of the early Church beginning in Jerusalem

b) We will begin this lesson in the Old Testament

i) I will give you an instruction you have never heard in Sunday School class before

ii) TURN TO – Nehemiah 3 – Page 650

(1) Nehemiah was a Jew and, during the Babylonian captivity was the cupbearer in the court of Artaxerxes, the King of Persia, from whom he obtained a royal commission authorizing him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

(2) When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians and the Jews were taken into captivity, Nebuchadnezzar had ordered the city to be destroyed.

(3) When Nehemiah lead a return of some of the Jews, one of the first things they needed to do was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

iii) READ Nehemiah 3:1-4

1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

2And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.

3But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

4And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.

(1) We see here an example of the work of the Kingdom of God upon the earth

(a) Each person working on a particular part of building a New Jerusalem

(b) In Verse 1, we see Eliashib the high priest and the other priests performing manual labor building the sheep gate

(c) As we go through the verses, we see the names of the faithful, one after another, each building their section of the wall

(d) If one person failed to build carefully or did not complete the work, the wall would have a weak place

iv) We know recording angels keep a record of the events in our lives and the work of building the Kingdom of God in our day.

(1) Record the names of the bishops and Relief Society and Elders Quorum presidents

(2) Record the names of the visiting teachers and home teachers and who they visited.

(3) Record who served at Girls Camp and Scout Camp

(4) Record those who cleaned the building

c) There are many ways and places to serve in the Kingdom.

d) In our study of Acts today, we begin to see the work of the Gospel begin to be divided among those other than the Apostles.

i) We will see how some of those who held new offices carried out their responsibilities

2. Seven men are ordained to supervise the temporal work of the Church

a) Reading 1 – Acts 6:1-7

1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5¶And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

i) Verse 1 – when the number of the disciples was multiplied – growth in the Church

ii) Verse 1 - there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration

(1) Murmuring of Grecians against the Hebrews

(a) Separation based upon background

(2) Their widows were neglected in the daily ministration

(a) Evidently a welfare system had been established in the early church to care for the poor and needy.

(3) Issues in a church growing rapidly among people of different backgrounds and cultures

(4) Reading 2 – 2 Nephi 26:33

33For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

(5) Reading 3 - President Howard W. Hunter said: “It is in understanding and accepting [the] universal fatherhood of God that all human beings can best appreciate God’s concern for them and their relationship to each other. This is a message of life and love that strikes squarely against all stifling traditions based on race, language, economic or political standing, educational rank, or cultural background, for we are all of the same spiritual descent. We have a divine pedigree; every person is a spiritual child of God” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 22; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 18)

iii) BACK to ACTS 6

iv) Verse 2 – Apostles said It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

(1) Note that directly giving food to the widows would take the Apostles away from the word of God – their wider responsibilities

(2) Callings vary

(3) We would love to have Elder Holland come teach Sunday School, but that isn’t what the Lord wants him to do

v) Verse 3 - look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom

(1) Note qualifications

(a) Honest report

(b) Full of Holy Ghost

(c) Full of wisdom

vi) Verse 3 - whom we may appoint over this business

(1) Assigning some of the responsibilities which the Apostles held

vii) Verse 5 - the saying pleased the whole multitude

viii) Verse 5 – Among those chosen - Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip

(1) a man full of faith

(2) full of the Holy Ghost

ix) Verse 6 - they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

x) Verse 7 – The result of this appointment of the seven - the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith

b) Organizational changes in the Church

i) Addition of Quorums of the Seventy

ii) Organization of the Church into areas presided over by Area Presidencies

iii) Do we have testimonies of the organization or testimonies of the Gospel?

iv) Because we are lead by Prophets and Apostles, at all times, the organization of the Church is appropriate and according to the will of God.

v) When changes come to the organization, that is appropriate and according to the will of God

3. Stephen testifies before the Sanhedrin and is stoned to death

a) Talk about one of the seven men appointed to “serve tables” and much more - Stephen

b) Reading 4 – Acts 6:8, 12-15

8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

SKIP – Members of the Sanhedrin were upset with Stephen and had him brought before them

12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

c) Stephen will stand before the Sanhedrin in a manner similar to Abinadi standing before the court of King Noah and preach the Gospel

d) Stephen teaches the history of Israel and the mighty works of God, beginning with Abraham, including the captivity and exodus lead by Moses, the kingdom of David and Solomon

i) Spoke of how often Israel had disobeyed the commandments of Jehovah

e) READ – Acts 7:51-60

51¶Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

54¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

4. Philip preaches and performs miracles in Samaria

a) Saul takes the lead in persecuting the members of the Church

b) They scatter into Judea and Samaria

c) One of the Seven – Philip – Goes into Samaria

d) Reading 5 – Acts 8:5-8

5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8And there was great joy in that city.

i) The healing power the Apostles had was also given to the Seven

e) After the Apostles in Jerusalem hear about Philip’s missionary work in Samaria, Peter and John travel there

i) They bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost upon those Philip has baptized

ii) Evidently, Philip was operating with the Aaronic Priesthood

f) One of those baptized by Philip was Simon the Sorcerer “which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one” (Acts 8:9)

g) Reading 6 – Acts 8:18-20

18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

i) Reading 7 – President James E. Faust said: “This greatest of all powers, the priesthood power, is not accessed the way power is used in the world. It cannot be bought or sold. … Worldly power often is employed ruthlessly. However, priesthood power is invoked only through those principles of righteousness by which the priesthood is governed” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 59–60; or Ensign, May 1997, 43).

h) Reading 7 – Acts 8:26-31, 36-38

26And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

SKIP

36And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

i) All the components of missionary work

i) Work guided by the Lord - Verse 26 - the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go

ii) Obedience – Verse 27 - he arose and went

iii) The Spirit prepares the hearts of the humble – Verse 28 – The Ethiopan was sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet

iv) When an investigator is ready, a missionary will be guided to him – Verse 30-31 – 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

v) Conversion leads to baptism and other ordinances – Verse 38 - and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him

5. Saul is converted and baptized and begins to preach the gospel

a) Background on Saul

i) Saul is his Hebrew name. Paul is his Roman name

(1) Took the Roman name as he began to teach in various parts of the Roman Empire

ii) Is both a Jew and a Roman citizen

iii) Born and raised in Tarsus

(1) Now part of Turkey

(2) A center of great learning

iv) At about the age of 15, Paul came to Jerusalem to study under Gamaliel

(1) Gamaliel was a renowned rabbi and teacher

v) Probably returned to Tarsus after his education was complete

vi) Probably a member of the Sanhedrin which would mean that he was married and had at least one child

b) Paul returns to Jerusalem as a great persecutor of the Christians

i) READ 1 Corinthians 15:9 - For I am the least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.

ii) READ Galatians 1:13 - For ye have heard in my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it.

c) Reading 8 – Acts 9:1-9

1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

d) Reading 9 – Acts 9:10-18

10¶And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

e) Reading 10 – Then-Elder Ezra Taft Benson said: A man can ask no more important question in his life than that which Paul asked: “… Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” A man can take no greater action than to pursue a course that will bring to him the answer to that question and then to carry out that answer. What would the Lord Jesus Christ have us do? (Ensign, January, 1973)

Conclusion