My Come, Follow Me studies for this week took me to Acts 1-5 in a lesson titled “Ye Shall Be Witnesses unto Me.” The following counsel preceded the lesson: “As you study Acts 1-5, the Holy Ghost can inspire you to find truths that are relevant for your life. Take note of verses that impress you, and look for opportunities to share what you are learning.” The lesson is then introduced with these paragraphs:
Have you ever wondered what
Peter might have been thinking and feeling when he, with the other Apostles,
“looked steadfastly toward heaven” as Jesus ascended to His Father? (Acts 1:10).
The Church that was founded by the Son of God was now in Peter’s care. The task
of leading the effort to “teach all nations” now rested on him (Matthew 28:19).
But if he felt inadequate or afraid, we don’t find any evidence of that in the
book of Acts. What we do find are examples of fearless testimony and
conversion, miraculous healings, spiritual manifestations, and significant
growth for the Church. This was still the Savior’s Church, still led by Him. In
fact, the book Acts of the Apostles could also be called the Acts of Jesus
Christ through His Apostles. Guided by an outpouring of the Spirit, Peter was
no longer the unlearned fisherman Jesus found on the shores of the Sea of
Galilee. Nor was he the distraught man who only weeks earlier was weeping
bitterly because he had denied that he even knew Jesus of Nazareth.
In the book of Acts, you will
read powerful declarations about Jesus Christ and His gospel. You will also see
how that gospel can change people—including you—into the valiant disciples God
knows they can be.
The principle for discussion tonight is “The principles and ordinances
of the gospel help me come unto Christ” (Acts 2:36-47; 3:12-21). The first
principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are faith, repentance,
baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost (Articles of Faith 1:4). They are also
referred to at various times as the doctrine of Christ. Acts 2:37-47 discuss
how these principles and ordinances affected the converts.
37 Now
when they heard this, they
were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the
apostles, Men and brethren, what shall
we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of
the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and
to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as
the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify
and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that
gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand
souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in
the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and
in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul:
and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and
had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and
parted them to all men, as
every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat
with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all
the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved.
Elder Dale G. Renlund taught the following about the importance of
the principles and ordinances: “We may be perfected by repeatedly … exercising
faith in [Christ], repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants
and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion
to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to
endure to the end, with all that that entails” (“Latter-day Saints Keep on
Trying,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 56).
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