Gifts of the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12-14

In 1 Corninthians 12:13-22 and Doctrine and Covenants 84:109-10, I found it interesting at the comparison between church callings and the body.  Every part of the body is needed for the body to functions properly.  Every church calling is needed for the church to run smoothly.  Every part or every calling has a specific duty or part.  I have always wondered why people got their feelings hurt when they didn't get a leadership calling. All callings are necessary.  I love it when my children get a primary teacher or nursery leader that could be in a leadership calling but are magnifying their calling in the Primary.

Of all the Spiritual gifts that Paul spoke of I think Charity is the greatest.

In 1 Corinthians 13:1-8,13 it describes the differences between what Charity is or is not.

Charity Is:

sufferth long (vs 4)
kind (vs 4)
rejoiceth in the truth (vs 6)
thinketh no evil (vs 5)
hopeth all things (vs 7)
endureth all things

Charity is Not:

envieth (vs 4)
puffed up (vs 4)
behave unseemingly (vs 5)
easily provoked (vs 5)
rejoiceth in iniquity (vs 6)

One area of Charity that I need to work on is being kinder to others.  I don't think I am mean but I don't have a lot of tolerance for misbehavior or making incorrect choices on purpose.

In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 it talks about speaking with the gift of tongues.  In the Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles it is pretty specific that we should be careful about speaking in tongues.  I have always heard that our missionaries having the ability to learn other languages while serving their missions is a form of speaking tongues so that the local people can be taught in their native tongue.

The Resurrection: 1 Thessalonians 4

Who will "rise first" to meet the Lord? 

The righteous will "rise first" to meet the Lord.  The dead will rise from their graves (D&C 88:97; 1 Thessalonians 4: 14)

Who, in addition to the righteous dead, will be caught up to meet the Lord?

In addition to the righteous dead, the righteous saints that are alive at the time of His coming. (D&C 88:96-98)

Where will they be caught up to?

In 1 Thessalonians 4: 17 it says the living will be caught up together in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.  In D&C 88:96-97 is says the living will be quickened and shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven.  

How will the righteous Saints participate in the Second Coming?

The Saints that are alive shall be quickened or translated and will rise up to meet Him as Christ descends.  (D&C 88:96; 1 Thessalonian 4:17)

Who will be resurrected at the Second Coming?  

At the instant of Christ's coming, only the righteous (both dead and alive) will be resurrected.  Those who had received not the law but accepted it in the spirit world will be resurrected at the beginning of the millennium as well.  (D&C 45:54)

How do the Joseph Smith Translations changes for 1 Thessalonians 4:15,17 clarify what Paul taught about who would be alive when Christ comes again?

The main thing, I felt it changed was that it changed "we" to "they".  The "we" makes is sound like the second coming would happen during Paul's time.  By changing it to "they", make it sound like it will happen later.  

Who will not survive the Second Coming?

The wicked will not survive the Second Coming.

When will they be resurrected?

The wicked will be resurrected at the end of the thousand years or during the 3rd trump of the angel (D&C 88:100-101)

Paul's Second Mission: Acts 16; 18

1.  List the names of 4 cities he visited, to whom he later wrote epistles. 

               Corinth

               Philippi

               Thesilonia

               Ephesus

Write a paragraph explaining the way the Holy Ghost directed Paul on their journey

               The Holy Ghost guided Paul and his companions on his second mission in several different ways. First, the Holy Ghost helped Paul choose Silas as his companion for this mission.  The Holy Ghost guided them on where they should go when Paul received the vision of the “Macedonian Call”.  The Holy Ghost guided them on who they should seek out to teach.  The conversion of Lydia and her household and the jailer are an example of this type of guidance.    Finally, the Holy Ghost protected them and warned them of danger.

Write a paragraph describing how the Spirit has directed your missionary efforts and one way you could be more directed by the Spirit in your life.

                I am not a good verbal missionary but I can live my life in such a way that everyone knows that I am a Christian and will eventually know that I am a Mormon and live my religion.  The Spirit has helped me be brave when I needed to be.  I grew up in the church but have always lived in the Bible belt.  People have been taught wrong things about the Church.  I have had to stand up for my beliefs.  Sometimes, when I have not known what to say, I have had thoughts come into my head and have been able to answer.  I have been directed when to answer and when to let things go.  I can pay attention to the promptings that come to help serve others.  In this way, I can be a more effective missionary.

2.  List of reasons Paul was able to preach the gospel effectively

Paul listened to and followed the prompting of the Spirit. 

Paul was not a respecter of persons.  He was able to reach out to all classes of people. 

a. Lydia representing the wealthy or elite class. Acts 16:13-15

b. The jailor representing the middle or working class. Acts 16:27-34

c. The slave girl representing the poorer class. Acts 16:16-20

Paul knew the laws and was educated in the traditions and laws of the land.

Even in times of trial, Paul did not give up.

In what ways did Paul turn his experiences into missionary opportunities?  Paul was able to stay focused on the task at hand (missionary work) even when he was experiencing trials and was able to show compassion to the people.  He was able to live a Christian life and teach the people through his experiences.   The Lord can use the tribulations of His servants to spread His gospel. 

What can you learn from Pauls’ missionary experiences?  Paul could have been angry and quit.  Instead he persevered.  In the example of the Jailer, Paul cared about the jailer’s life.  He knew the jailer would die if the prisoners escaped.  Paul also went back to his brethren after he was released from prison to encourage them.

How is the jailer an example of a true convert?  The jailer was an example of a true convert because he was willing to serve Paul by washing his stripes and taking Paul into his home.  The jailer also told those around him all about the Gospel and his conversion. 

What can you do now to better prepare yourself to share the gospel. Whether as a full-time missionary or as a member? I can better prepare myself to be a missionary by listening to prompting/ideas that come to me to help others or on how to answer questions by others.  As I follow the Savior’s example, I will be able to be a better missionary.

The Day of Pentecost: Acts 2

The meaning of the Day of Pentecost:

Fifty days or seven weeks following the Passover feast, faithful Jews observed a celebration known as Pentecost. (The Life and Teachings of Jesus; p 243) Pentecost literally means fiftieth.  

Peter's teachings on this day:

In verse 1, he taught of unity.
In verse 5, he taught that the gospel is universal.
In verse 16, he taught about the fulfillment of the prophet Joel's prophecy.
In verse 24, he taught about the resurrection.
In verse 38, Peter taught repentance and baptism for the remission of sins.  Peter also taught about the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

Peter fulfilled his role as a special witness of Jesus Christ

Peter testified boldly of the Savior.  He was not ashamed.  Peter and the other apostle healed many people and did not stop when commanded by the Elders.  He quoted prophesy from scripture and then declared that it had been fulfilled.  

Gifts of the Spirit that were made manifest on the Day of Pentecost

1.  Gift of tongues

2.  Prophesy

3.  Dreams

4.  Interpretation of tongues.
   

The People's response to the occurrences on the Day of Pentecost

Some of the people thought that those speaking in tongues were drunk.  Most were amazed and marveled at the occurrence.  

In verse 41 it says that 3000 were baptized.

Those converted continued in the church.  They sold everything they had and began to live the law of consecration.