“Acts 10–15,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Acts 10–15
Prompted by his experience with a Gentile named Cornelius, Peter received a revelation directing him to accept Gentiles into the Church. This vision preceded Paul’s first missionary journey that “opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). The increase in Gentile converts gave rise to a controversy among the Saints. Some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile converts needed to be circumcised to be saved. Others taught that salvation comes through Jesus Christ and not through circumcision or observing the law of Moses. This controversy was the focus of a conference of Church leaders in Jerusalem.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Acts 10–15”
The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
-
Have you ever wondered why Church policies change? As you study Acts 10 and 15, what do you learn about how the Lord guides His Church?
-
Some members of the Church feel like they don’t belong or fit in. Have you ever felt this way or known someone who has? Consider what you learn from Acts 10 about being accepting of all people.
-
Have you experienced opposition in your efforts to live and share the gospel? What do you learn from Acts 12–14 about facing opposition with faith in Jesus Christ?
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Acts 10–15.
Skill Training
Acts 10 and 15 might be helpful places to use the skill “Understanding the Scriptures in Context” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Improving Our Teaching and Learning
Be flexible in practicing scripture study skills. The learning activities of each lesson include suggestions for students to learn, review, or practice specific scripture study skills. Feel free to use these suggestions or practice other skills, depending on your students’ needs. Remember that one of the primary objectives of this course is to help students improve their ability to understand the scriptures.
How can I help those from different cultures and backgrounds feel more welcome in the Lord’s Church?
Display the following statement: “I just don’t fit in with you people in the Church.”
-
Why might someone feel this way?
Explain that in this learning activity, students will learn from the experience of Cornelius and Peter about the importance of being accepting and supportive of those from different cultures and backgrounds.
Write the name Cornelius on the board. Invite students to learn all they can about Cornelius by reading Acts 10:1–8 and “Acts 10:1–8. What was important about Cornelius’s conversion to Christianity?” in Scripture Helps: New Testament.
-
What cultural barriers might Cornelius have faced when seeking to convert to Christianity?
Explain that Peter had a vision to help prepare the way for Gentile converts like Cornelius to be full participants in the Savior’s Church. To help students understand Peter’s vision, provide them with the handout “Understanding Peter’s Vision.” Students could work with a partner or in small groups.
After allowing time for study and discussion, invite students to share how they answered the questions in the handout. Ensure that they identify a truth like the following from Acts 10:34–35: Because God is no respecter of persons, He offers salvation to all His children. To help students deepen their understanding of this truth, consider asking the following questions:
-
What do you think it means that God is no respecter of persons? (You could read 2 Nephi 26:33.)
-
What attributes of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ does this truth illustrate? How do these attributes influence your feelings toward Them?
-
How can knowing this truth influence how you treat those of different cultures and backgrounds?
Consider reading and discussing the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then a member of the First Presidency:
Some might say, “I just don’t fit in with you people in the Church.” …
Your background or upbringing might seem different from what you perceive in many Latter-day Saints, but that could be a blessing. Brothers and sisters, dear friends, we need your unique talents and perspectives. The diversity of persons and peoples all around the globe is a strength of this Church. (“Come, Join with Us,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 23)
You could have students share times they or someone else of a different culture or background was warmly welcomed into the Lord’s Church.
Display the following question, and invite students to ponder and record their thoughts and feelings:
-
What can I do to be more accepting and supportive of people of different cultures and backgrounds?
If you think it might be helpful, the class could watch “Is There a Place for Me?” (3:59).
How can I increase my confidence that the Lord guides His Church?
You could begin by sharing the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:
“Because the Restoration is ongoing, policy changes will surely continue.” (“The Love and Laws of God” [Brigham Young University devotional, Sept. 17, 2019], 4, speeches.byu.edu)
As part of the ongoing Restoration, the leaders of the Lord’s Church sometimes announce changes in the Church. As a class, come up with some recent examples of these changes, such as adjustments to Church practice or policy.
-
Why might some members struggle when changes in the Church occur?
Explain that in Acts 10, Peter had a vision from the Lord that prepared the way for a significant change in the Church regarding Gentiles. To help students understand how the change came about, provide them with the handout “Can Gentiles Be Part of the Savior’s Church?” Before students start the handout, you could briefly review the skill “Understanding the Scriptures in Context” in Scripture Study Skills.
After groups have had time to discuss how the change came about, consider asking the following questions:
-
What truth did the Lord reveal to Peter that prepared the way for a change regarding Gentiles? (You may want to give emphasis to Acts 10:34–35.)
-
What can this account teach us about how the Lord guides His Church? (Students may identify a truth like the following: Jesus Christ directs His Church by revelation through living prophets.)
-
Why is it important that each of us gain our own witness that the Savior’s Church is led by continuing revelation? (You could invite students to share personal experiences of how they have come to trust that the Church of Jesus Christ is led by revelation.)
Point out that even after Peter had received the revelation directing him to accept Gentiles into the Church, some members struggled to accept this change (see Acts 15:1–5). A Church council was held to address these concerns (see Acts 15:6–31). Even after additional clarification was provided, some members still resisted this change (see Galatians 5:2–10; 6:13).
Invite students to select a teaching, practice, or policy of the Church they or someone they know struggles with. Then provide students with the handout and invite them to consider how the steps in this handout can be applied to the situation they are thinking about.
How can I accomplish the Savior’s work when facing opposition?
Invite students to share examples of how they or someone they know experienced opposition while seeking to share the gospel. You could then write the following truth on the board: As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, we will receive strength to do His work.
Write the following passages on the board. Invite students to select one passage and read it, looking for the following about the people in the account: (1) the opposition they experienced, (2) how they exercised faith in Jesus Christ, and (3) how they were strengthened by the Savior.
-
Peter is imprisoned: Acts 12:1–11
-
Paul and Barnabas confront a sorcerer: Acts 13:1–13
-
Paul and Barnabas wax bold: Acts 13:42–52
-
Unbelieving Jews stir up opposition: Acts 14:1–7
-
Some Jews from Antioch and Iconium stone Paul: Acts 14:19–28
After allowing time for students to study their chosen passage, invite them to form small groups with those who studied a different passage and to share what they learned.
Consider reading together the following statement by President Jeffrey R. Holland or watching “Defend Your Beliefs” (0:57):
Be strong. Live the gospel faithfully even if others around you don’t live it at all. Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them. … In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall. (“The Cost—and Blessings—of Discipleship,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 9)
Students could share examples of how the Savior has helped them or someone they know defend their beliefs with courage and compassion. These could be experiences they had on social media, as a missionary, or in face-to-face interactions with coworkers, friends, or family.
Invite students to ponder and record how they can exercise greater faith in the Savior when they face opposition.