“Acts 1–5,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
Acts 1–5
For 40 days following His Resurrection, Jesus Christ ministered to His disciples. He then ascended into heaven, promising to return in the latter days in like manner. The Apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. They preached the Savior’s gospel with power. About three thousand people were baptized. Peter and John were arrested for testifying of Jesus Christ after healing a man who had been born lame. They refused to comply with orders from the Jewish leaders to stop teaching and healing in the Savior’s name. They were then delivered from prison by an angel.
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Background and Context
What is the book of Acts?
Commenting on the title of this book, President Jeffrey R. Holland gave the following insight into what the book of Acts is: “Indeed, a more complete title for the book of Acts could appropriately be something like ‘The Acts of the Resurrected Christ Working through the Holy Spirit in the Lives and Ministries of His Ordained Apostles.’” The Acts of the Apostles forms an important bridge between the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings and labors of His Apostles. It includes sacred experiences that led to the growth of the Savior’s Church. In Acts, we see how leaders and members resolved internal conflicts and responded to persecutions from the larger society. Much of the book records Paul’s ministry through many lands.
The book of Acts “is the second of a two-part work written by Luke to Theophilus. The first part is known as the Gospel According to Luke.” Several passages in Acts are written in first person, suggesting that Luke was a participant in those parts of the narrative. The events recorded in Acts took place between approximately AD 30 and AD 62. Scholars estimate that Acts was written sometime between AD 60 and AD 90.
What is the passion of Christ?
The word passion in the King James Version refers to the Savior’s intense suffering as part of His Atoning Sacrifice. Many Christians refer to the Savior’s last week as Passion Week.
What was the promise of the Father to the Savior’s disciples?
Before His death, Jesus Christ promised His Apostles that the Father would send them the Holy Ghost. After His Resurrection, the Savior commanded His Apostles to wait for this promise to be fulfilled before leaving Jerusalem. It was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Twelve. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that this spiritual “endowment was to prepare the disciples for their mission into the world.”
What do we know about Jesus Christ’s siblings?
According to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus had four brothers and also sisters. These would have been the sons and daughters of Mary and the Savior’s stepfather, Joseph. Though His siblings had not always believed in Jesus’s divinity, they were now counted among the believers. Jesus’s brother James would later become a leader of the Church in Jerusalem and an Apostle. His brother “Juda” or “Judas” is likely the author of the Epistle of Jude.
What was the practice of casting lots?
Anciently, casting lots was a means to make decisions. The details of the process are not fully known, and there may have been multiple methods. Small objects may have been cast or drawn, or names could have been written on fragments of pottery. The Jews generally believed that the hand of God would direct the outcome. How the casting of lots was done in this instance is not known.
What was important about the day of Pentecost?
One week after Jesus Christ had ascended into heaven, thousands of people gathered to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. This was a celebration of the harvest and occurred fifty days after the Passover. During this festival, males of the covenant were to come before the Lord at Jerusalem. Jews and proselytes from nations throughout the ancient Near East would have attended, speaking many different languages. (A proselyte was someone not of Jewish lineage who had converted to Judaism.) On this day, there was an outpouring of the Holy Ghost. Those present heard the Apostles speak in their native languages. When they expressed their amazement, Peter declared that this was a fulfillment of prophecy, testified of Jesus Christ, and invited them to be baptized. Around three thousand souls were added to the Church.
Countries of people who are mentioned at Pentecost
How was the Holy Ghost manifest on the day of Pentecost?
Spiritual experiences are often difficult to describe. What happened on the day of Pentecost is one of those experiences. The Apostles and others were gathered at one place in Jerusalem. Suddenly there came from heaven a sound resembling a great gust of wind. It filled the entire place and marked the arrival of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost then appeared as divided or cloven tongues of fire. In ancient Israel, fire often symbolized God’s presence. These tongues of fire fell upon the Apostles. While difficult to imagine visually, these tongues of fire were a witness that the Apostles had received the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost allowed the Apostles to experience the gift of tongues. Thus, those present heard the Apostles speak in their own language. Of this event, President Boyd K. Packer taught that with this manifestation of the Holy Ghost “the Twelve were fully empowered.”
How did Church members provide for each other’s needs?
These early believers in Jerusalem formed a community of support and fellowship. They were devoted to the teachings of the Apostles, worshipped together, and “had all things in common.” By voluntarily selling land or houses and giving the proceeds to the Apostles, fellow believers’ basic needs were taken care of.
The scriptures provide accounts of the people of Enoch, the Lamanites and Nephites, and the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who lived with “all things in common.”
What was the hour of prayer?
In addition to other prayers offered throughout the day, it was customary for the Israelites to offer prayers at three specific times of the day: during the third, sixth, and ninth hours (or around 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m.). The prayer at the ninth hour was offered in conjunction with the evening sacrifice at the temple. Those who lived near the temple often prayed in the temple courts. Peter and John were at the temple to pray during the ninth hour of the day.
What is meant by the restitution, or restoration, of all things?
While alluding to prophets who testified of Christ, Peter used the phrases “times of refreshing” and “restitution [restoration] of all things.” These phrases likely refer to both this “last dispensation and Second Coming of Jesus Christ.”
While the King James Bible uses the word restitution, most other translations use the word restoration. Speaking of this restitution or restoration, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote: “In humility, we declare that in answer to his prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph [Smith] and inaugurated the ‘restitution of all things’ (Acts 3:21) as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.”
By what power did Peter and John heal the crippled man?
Peter testified that the crippled man was healed in the name of Jesus Christ. The scriptures teach that there is power and authority in the name of Christ. Peter also testified that only through the name of Christ could someone be saved. This truth is affirmed throughout the scriptures. Elder Paul B. Pieper taught, “Our Heavenly Father wants to make it absolutely clear that the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, is not simply one name among many. The Savior’s name has singular and essential power. It is the only name by which salvation is possible.”
Why did people seek healing by being in the shadow of Peter?
President Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “Multitudes were brought to [the Twelve] and they were healed ‘every one.’ (Acts 5:16.) Faith in Peter’s faith brought the sick into the streets on their beds of affliction ‘that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.’ (Acts 5:15.) One wonders if there is a single written line in any other record that stands as a greater monument to the faith and power of one mortal man bearing the holy priesthood of God.”
Who was Gamaliel?
Gamaliel was the grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel. He was a member of the Sanhedrin and a distinguished scholar of Jewish law. Paul was tutored by this famous teacher. Gamaliel’s wise counsel likely saved the lives of the Apostles, who had been brought again before the Jewish council after being released from prison by an angel.
Learn More
Ministering in the Church
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Reyna I. Aburto, “With One Accord,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 78–80
The Restitution, or Restoration, of All Things (see Acts 3:21)
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“The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World,” Gospel Library
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Ronald A. Rasband, “Fulfillment of Prophecy,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 75–78
The Savior’s Healing Power
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Amy A. Wright, “Christ Heals That Which Is Broken,” Liahona, May 2022, 81–84
Media
Videos
“Peter Preaches and is Arrested” (2:58)
“Peter and John Are Judged” (2:51)
Images
The Ascension, by Harry Anderson
The Day of Pentecost, by Sidney E. King
Such as I Have I Give unto Thee, by Walter Rane