Insights on Paul's Conversion in Acts 8-9 and Reflections on Busy Lives

PAULS CONVERSION ACTS 8-9

ACTS 8-9 MasterCard commercials https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GofscoXnpDw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDf751c1yiA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71KAO_bmc2o

ACTS 8-9

ACTS 8-9

ACTS 8-9

ACTS 8-9

ACTS 8-9 Acts 8:9, 13, 18-22 What can we learn from this account about receiving the priesthood? When was the last time you enjoyed something priceless???

ACTS 8-9 President Uchtdorf: Isn t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life. I think of Jesus Christ and His short life. I have tried to imagine Him multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished. I can t see it.

ACTS 8-9 In our day it is easy to merely pretend to spend time with others. With the click of a mouse, we can connect with thousands of friends without ever having to face a single one of them. I believe that we are not headed in the right direction, individually and as a society, If we fail to give our best personal self and undivided time to those who are truly important to us, one day we will regret it. (Regrets and Resolutions, October 2012 Ensign)

BIBLE DICTIONARY, PAUL. Saul was born in the Greek city Tarsus (see Acts 21:39) and had Roman citizenship (see Acts 16:37). He was a Jew from the lineage of Benjamin (see Romans 11:1) and was educated in Jerusalem by Gamaliel (see Acts 22:3), a well-known Pharisee and respected teacher of Jewish law (see Acts 5:34). Saul became a Pharisee (see Acts 23:6), and he spoke a Hebrew tongue (probably Aramaic) and Greek (see Acts 21:37, 40). He was later known by his Latin name, Paul (see Acts 13:9).

JOSEPH SMITH [Paul] is about five feet high; very dark hair; dark complexion; dark skin; large Roman nose; sharp face; small black eyes, penetrating as eternity; round shoulders; a whining voice, except when elevated, and then it almost resembles the roaring of a lion. He was a good orator (in Extracts from William Clayton s Private Book, p. 4, Journals of L. John Nuttall, 1857 1904, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University; copy in Church History Library, Salt Lake City).

FROM SAUL TO PAUL Acts 7:58 Acts 8:1-3 Acts 9:1-2 Acts 9:3-9 Acts 9:10-19 Acts 9:20-22 Acts 9:23-25 Acts 9:26-31 Acts 9:32-35 Acts 9:36-42 What truths can we learn from these verses about how the Lord sees us?

ACTS 8-9 REMEMBER WENEEDTOSEE US INTHE SCRIPTURES. LOOKBEYONDTHEBLACKWORDS ONTHEWHITEPAGE What lesson was the Lord trying to teach by making Paul blind? How can a person go from hating the church to embracing it with all their hearts?

ACTS 8-9

ACTS 8-9 What lesson was the Lord trying to teach Ananias, Barnabas, and the other apostles? Was it hard for the Anti-Nephi Lehis to be accepted? What are some characteristics of being converted? (Let s make a list)

ACTS 8-9 Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. Like Paul they will be asking, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6.) Peter stated, they will "follow his steps." (1 Pet. 2:21.) John said they will "walk, even as he walked." (1 John 2:6.) Men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. To paraphrase President Harold B. Lee, they set fire in others because they are on fire. (Stand Ye in Holy Places, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, p. 192.) Their will is swallowed up in His will. (See John 5:30.) They do always those things that please the Lord. (See John 8:29.) Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him. Enter their homes, and the pictures on their walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as Christians .

ACTS 8-9 They stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places. They have Christ on their minds, as they look unto Him in every thought. They have Christ in their hearts as their affections are placed on Him forever. Almost every week they partake of the sacrament and witness anew to their Eternal Father that they are willing to take upon them the name of His Son, always remember Him, and keep His commandments. (See Moro. 4:3.) In Book of Mormon language, they "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Ne. 32:3), "talk of Christ" (2 Ne. 25:26), "rejoice in Christ" (2 Ne. 25:26), "are made alive in Christ" (2 Ne. 25:25), and "glory in (their) Jesus" (See 2 Ne. 33:6.) In short, they lose themselves in the Lord, and find eternal life. (See Luke 17:33.) May we be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, choose to follow Him, be changed for Him, captained by Him, consumed in Him, and born again. (Elder Marvin J Ashton)

ACTS 8-9 There is something in many of us that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life either our mistakes or the mistakes of others. Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Best Is Yet to Be, Ensign or Liahona, Jan. 2010, 25 26.)

ACTS 8-9 What are some situations in which it would be important to allow others to change and improve and to believe they can do so? What are some situations in which it would be important to believe that we can change and improve? A person can ask no more important question in his [or her] life than that which Paul asked: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? ( Listen to a Prophet s Voice, Ensign, Jan. 1973, 57).

PAULS CONVERSION ACTS 8-9