“Acts 6–9,” Scripture Helps: New Testament (2024)
Scripture Helps
Acts 6–9
The Apostles set apart seven men to help them administer to the needs of the Church. Stephen, one of the seven, was arrested and brought before Jewish leaders. Stephen recounted the history of Israel and declared that they killed Christ just as their ancestors had killed past prophets. In vision, Stephen saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He was then stoned for bearing witness of Them. In Samaria, Philip preached, baptized, and performed many miracles. Peter rebuked Simon, a sorcerer, who wanted to purchase the priesthood with money. The Lord directed Philip to Gaza, where Philip baptized a man from Ethiopia. Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. Saul lost his eyesight and was healed by Ananias. Peter healed Aeneas and brought Tabitha (Dorcas) back to life.
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Background and Context
Why did the Twelve Apostles call seven men to assist them?
As the Lord’s Church grew, a conflict arose between Jewish converts who primarily spoke Greek (Hellenists) and those who primarily spoke Aramaic (Hebrews). It is likely that their differences went beyond language and included social and cultural differences. The Hellenists felt that their widows were being neglected by the Hebrews. In New Testament times, widows were at a great economic disadvantage and often needed care.
The Twelve Apostles explained that they should not neglect the word of God to “serve tables.” Serving tables refers to taking care of Church members’ temporal needs. The Twelve Apostles called seven Hellenist disciples to address these temporal concerns so the Twelve Apostles could focus on teaching the gospel. It is not known what priesthood office the seven men held.
How did Stephen use biblical history to defend himself?
Stephen responded to the accusation of blasphemy against the law of Moses by recounting important parts of Jewish history. He talked about “key names in the lineage of the house of Israel, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph of Egypt, and Moses (see Acts 7:8–9, 20). Stephen particularly emphasized the Lord’s hand in preparing Moses, and he concluded his testimony by linking Moses’ prophecy to Jesus Christ.”
In sharing this history, Stephen likened the Church’s situation to the story of the Old Testament. The Jewish leaders persecuted and killed Jesus Christ like the disobedient Israelites had persecuted and killed the early prophets. Stephen and other followers of Jesus Christ were like those who heeded the prophets in Old Testament times. In this context, the Jewish leaders, not Stephen, were the ones disobeying God.
What did Stephen mean when he said, “The most High dwelleth not in temples”?
Stephen taught that the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple were built for God. However, they were not God’s permanent abode. Stephen quoted Isaiah to point out that God rules over heaven and earth. All of creation is His temple. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, “The great Creator … is worshiped by [us] in his temples, which holy houses he visits occasionally, and in which sacred spots his Spirit may always be found by the faithful.”
What does Stephen’s vision reveal about the Godhead?
In Stephen’s vision, each member of the Godhead was manifest as a separate Being. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “[Stephen] saw the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. Any person that has seen the heavens opened knows that there are three personages in the heavens who hold the keys of power, and one presides overall.” Similar manifestations that reveal the Godhead as separate and distinct Beings can be found in the account of the Savior’s baptism, the Mount of Transfiguration, the Savior’s appearance to the Lamanites and Nephites, and Joseph Smith’s First Vision.
What is meant by the title “Son of man”?
See “Matthew 8:20. Why did Jesus Christ refer to Himself as the ‘Son of man’?”
Why was Simon condemned by Peter?
Simon was a sorcerer who practiced magic. Roman law made it illegal to practice magic with evil or deceitful intent. Sorcery was also forbidden under the law of Moses. Peter condemned Simon’s attempt to buy priesthood power with money. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then a member of the First Presidency, taught: “The priesthood, or any responsibility within it, cannot be purchased or commanded. The use of priesthood power cannot be influenced, swayed, or compelled by position, by wealth, or by influence. It is a spiritual power that operates on heavenly law.”
What was significant about the Ethiopian’s baptism?
Based on the information in verse 27, it is most likely that the Ethiopian was a Black African from territories south of Egypt. He was a government official and a eunuch. As a eunuch, he was restricted from participating in Judaism. This missionary experience was a step toward fulfilling the prophecy that the gospel would spread beyond Judea and Samaria. It foreshadowed the dramatic missionary work about to commence among the Gentiles.
Who was Saul?
Saul was born in Tarsus, a Greek city in Cilicia. He was a Roman citizen by birth and spoke Aramaic and Greek. He was a Jew from the lineage of Benjamin and a devout Pharisee who zealously pursued and tormented Jesus Christ’s followers. He was later known by his Latin name Paul.
Overview of Paul’s Life and Ministry
Note: Dates are approximations.
|
AD 1 |
Born in Tarsus | |
|---|---|---|
|
AD 19–29 |
Was a student of Gamaliel in Jerusalem | |
|
AD 34–35 |
Persecuted Christians and witnessed the martyrdom of Stephen | |
|
AD 35 |
Had a vision of the Savior | |
|
AD 35–36 |
Traveled from Damascus to Arabia; returned to Damascus and preached the gospel | |
|
AD 36 |
Visited Jerusalem and met with Peter and Jesus’s brother James | |
|
AD 37–43 |
Spent 14 years in Syria and Cilicia (part of that time on his mission with Barnabas) | |
|
AD 45–48 |
Took first missionary journey (with Barnabas) | |
|
AD 49 |
Attended a conference in Jerusalem | |
|
AD 49–52 |
Took second missionary journey | |
|
AD 52 |
Visited Jerusalem | |
|
AD 53–57 |
Went on third and final mission |
Acts 18:23; 19:1–20:38 |
|
AD 57–58 |
Visited Greece | |
|
AD 59–60 |
Reported to church leaders in Jerusalem; arrested by authorities; imprisoned in Caesarea | |
|
AD 60–61 |
While under arrest, traveled by sea to Rome; shipwrecked and spent time on the island of Melita (Malta) | |
|
AD 61–63 |
Put under house arrest in Rome | |
|
AD 63–65 |
Possibly ministered in Rome and other locations in Italy | |
|
AD 66 |
Imprisoned again in Rome | |
|
AD 68 |
Died |
A map of the Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys
What does it mean to “kick against the pricks”?
In some versions of the Bible, such as the King James Bible, Acts 9:5 ends with this phrase: “It is hard for [Saul] to kick against the pricks.” A prick, or goad, is a sharp spear or stick used to poke animals to make them move ahead. Rather than move forward, stubborn animals sometimes kick back to retaliate, literally kicking against the pricks. Such a reaction only adds more pain as the prick drives deeper into the animal’s body. In this context, Jesus Christ told Saul that his actions were self-defeating.
Who was Barnabas?
(Compare to Acts 11:22–30.)
The Saints in Jerusalem were understandably wary when Saul asked to join with them. But Barnabas took Saul to meet the Apostles and vouched for him. Barnabas was a Jew from the tribe of Levi. He sold his property and gave the money to the Apostles. He was described as a good and faithful man.
Church leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to minister in Antioch (in Syria) because many people there had been converted to the gospel. Barnabas was Saul’s missionary companion.
How did the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha fulfill the Savior’s words?
One of Luke’s purposes in writing the book of Acts was to show a continuation of Jesus Christ’s power and authority. For example, while ministering in Lydda and Joppa, Peter healed Aeneas and Tabitha (also called Dorcas). This was a fulfillment of the Savior’s promise that those who believe in Him would do the kinds of works He did. Peter’s healing of Aeneas is similar to the Savior’s healing of a paralytic man. Peter brought Tabitha back to life, which parallels the Savior bringing Jairus’s daughter back to life.
Who was Tabitha?
Tabitha (also known as Dorcas) was a disciple who did many acts of charity. When she died, the widows laid her in the upper chamber and honored her by placing around her all the garments she had made for them. When Peter arrived, the widows showed him the garments Tabitha had made for them. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead, which caused many to believe in the Savior.
Learn More
Saul’s Conversion
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Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Waiting on the Road to Damascus,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 70–77
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James E. Faust, “The Power to Change,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 122–24
Philip’s Ministry to the Ethiopian Man
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Ulisses Soares, “How Can I Understand?,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 6–8
Peter Ministers to Tabitha
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Thomas S. Monson, “Be Thou an Example,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 98–101
Media
Videos
“The Martyrdom of Stephen” (5:43)
“The Road to Damascus” (5:23)
Images
I Saw the Son of Man Standing on the Right Hand of God, by Walter Rane
Philip Teaching the Ethiopian, by unknown artist
Tabitha, by Dan Burr