Conversion of St. Paul by Nicolas Bernard Lépicié
Jesus had ascended into heaven, but His work continued. Scattered by persecution, His disciples “went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:8). This week, we will study the experiences of three of those disciples: Stephen, Philip, and Saul.
“The face of an angel”
Stephen was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” who “did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:5, 8). Even when he spoke with people who disagreed with him, “they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6:10). This level of influence attracted attention, and he was arrested and interrogated by the Sanhedrin.
As Stephen stood before them, members of the council “saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). He recounted the history of Israel, with an emphasis on the Israelites’ repeated rejection of God’s servants. “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?” he asked (Acts 7:52). As they stoned him, he looked up and saw “Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). Before he died, he made two statements which were reminiscent of the Savior’s words on the cross: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59; see also Luke 23:46), and “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60; see also Luke 23:34).
Stephen’s experience has a lot in common with the experience of another martyr, Abinadi, who boldly declared to King Noah and his priests that they were not fulfilling the law they had received from God. As he spoke, “the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster” (Mosiah 13:5). He taught them how Jesus would do the will of His Father. (See Mosiah 15:1-9.) His final words as he died were “O God, receive my soul” (Mosiah 17:19).
We can have courage and peace in Jesus even when we are persecuted.
“Caught away”
While Stephen was preaching in Jerusalem, a colleague of his named Philip traveled to the city of Samaria, then to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza (where he taught an Ethiopian eunuch in a chariot), after which he traveled up the coast from the city of Azotus (now called Ashdod) to Caesarea, preaching in every city as he went. (See Acts 8:5, 26, 40.) How did he know where to go? By revelation:
- “The angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south” (Acts 8:26).
- “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot” (Acts 8:29).
- “The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more” (Acts 8:39).
The sons of Mosiah followed the same pattern as they preached the gospel to the Lamanites. They fasted and prayed “that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them” (Alma 17:9). Then, “they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord” (Alma 21:16). When the king asked Aaron why his brother Ammon hadn’t come to see him, Aaron replied, “Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way” (Alma 22:4).
The Spirit can help us know where to go and what to do.
“Thou mightest receive thy sight”
Saul, a Pharisee and a student of Gamaliel, was busy “[making] havoc of the church,” arresting and imprisoning men and women who preached the gospel (Acts 8:3). Under the authority of the high priest, he traveled with a group of men to Damascus, far north of Samaria, to find church members living there. (See Acts 9:1-2.)
But as he approached Damascus, something happened which changed the course of his life. He saw a light and heard a voice, which asked, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4). After conversing with Jesus, Saul could not see, and he had to be led by his friends to Damascus. Three days later, he was healed, and he testified in the synagogues that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. (See Acts 9:9, 18-20, 22.) The disciple who healed him, Ananias, said, “Brother Saul, the Lord…hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight” (Acts 9:17).
Saul’s experience has a lot in common with the experience of Alma, who “[sought] to destroy the church of God” (Mosiah 27:10, Alma 36:6). As he traveled with a group of friends, he saw an angel who asked, “Why persecutest thou the church of God?” (Mosiah 27:13). After this experience, he was paralyzed for three days (Alma 36:10), after which he testified that he had been born again and redeemed by Jesus. (See Mosiah 27:24-31, Alma 36:18-23.)
Jesus can help us see where we are going wrong and can put us on a better path.
Blog Posts: July 11-16
With One Accord
The phrase “with one accord” appears 11 times in the book of Acts. It means to be united by a common purpose. As we strive to follow the Savior and to prepare for His return, we can find unity in our shared goals and desires.
The Gall of Bitterness
Peter told Simon that he was in the “gall of bitterness.” Gall is bile. It is a bitter substance which our bodies use for digestion. Alma taught that Jesus can help us overcome spiritual bitterness. When we recognize our need and ask for help, He is there
Alma and Saul
Both Alma and Paul experienced sudden and miraculous conversions to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although our own conversion experience is likely to be more gradual, we can learn a lot about the conversion process by understanding their experiences.
My Road to Damascus
Paul and Alma had remarkable spiritual experiences while they were moving. The Lord was able to redirect their energy in a more positive direction. Sometimes we are hesitant to move forward. But if we can overcome that hesitance, the Lord will direct us.
“They…Stopped Their Ears”
When Stephen told the Sanhedrin that he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God, “they cried with a loud voice, and stopped their ears.” It can be difficult to hear messages that require us to change, but if we refuse to listen, we fail to progress.
Brother Saul
When the Lord told Ananias to visit Saul, he was understandably concerned. But the Lord knew that Saul had changed. People change all the time. We need to be careful not to let our prior experiences interfere with our pereception of who they are now.
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