Day of Pentecost: Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost
READ Acts 1:4-5 and D&C 39:6
What is the relationship between the
baptism of water and baptism fire and the Holy Ghost?
What is the difference between being
baptized by water and baptized with the Holy Ghost?
Why might the baptism of fire/HG NOT
happen immediately after the baptism by water?
READ Moses 6:59-60 and 6:64-66
How is this baptism a spiritual birth as
real as your physical birth?
How does the symbolism of water baptism
apply to the baptism by fire?
READ Acts 2:1-4
Why is baptism with the Holy Ghost also
called the baptism of fire?
Do we have other accounts in the
scriptures of a mass baptism of fire?
READ Mosiah 4:1-3 and Mosiah 5:2-3
What happens to the individual when they
receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost?
READ Acts 2:6-6 and 12-17 and D&C
84:64-72
What usually accompanies the baptism of
the Holy Ghost and Fire?
READ TPJS 170:7 and 370:1
“There are two Comforters spoken of. One
is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all
Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or
Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in
expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect
with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than
one that is a Gentile, though it may not have half as much visible effect upon
the body; for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham,
it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the
pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile,
is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham.
That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new
creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful
effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while the
Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence.”
“No man can
receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator.”
What does the Holy Ghost do to us?
The Apostles’ Message: Christ Lives!
READ Acts 1:1-3, 8-11
How long did Christ spend with the
Apostles after His resurrection?
What is the nature of the “witness”
gained by the Baptism of the Holy Ghost verses the experience of seeing the
risen Lord?
READ Acts 1:21-22
What is the criteria the Apostles use for
choosing the two candidates to replace Judas in the Twelve?
Why is this the criteria to be an
Apostle?
READ: Oliver Cowdery’s charge to the
first modern Apostles (selected in 1835)
“It is necessary that you receive a
testimony from heaven to yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the
truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That
is more than the testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall
be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you
have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you
out; although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see
the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven. Never cease
striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off
your doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from
coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid his
hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone
before us; God is the same. If the Savior in former days laid his hands upon
his disciples, why not in latter days? . . . The time is coming when you
will be perfectly familiar with the things of God. . . . You have our best
wishes, you have our most fervent prayers, that you may be able to bear this
testimony, that you have seen the face of God. Therefore, call upon
him in faith in mighty prayer till you prevail, for it is your duty and your
privilege to bear such a testimony for yourselves. (DHC,
2:192-98.)
(Incidentally,
this charge was read to all new Apostles up until the appointment of Reed Smoot
as an Apostle – President Joseph F. Smith stopped the practice of reading the
charge in 1911; it was discontinued due to feelings of inadequacy among
Apostles who never obtained the blessing.
Today they are “special witnesses to the name” of Jesus Christ, not to
His actual person).
READ Acts 2:22-24, 31-33, 36 and Acts
3:13-15
What is the message the Apostles preach?
Why was the doctrine of the physical
resurrection of Christ so difficult for the Sadducee Jewish leadership?
What stories did the Church leaders come
up with to combat the Apostles’ testimony?
How can we tell these were public
relations stories?
READ Acts 4:16-20
What is the reaction to this message?
What are the Apostles’ responses to these
threats?
Establishing Zion: The Joys and Perils
of the Covenant
READ Acts 2:37-43
What must those who believe do?
READ Acts 2:44-47 and Acts 4:32-35
What is being established?
What are the principles being lived that
let you know this?
How do they become “one heart and one
soul”?
But before we become too enthusiastic
about signing up for Zion, let’s look at what happens when a covenant is
established authoritatively, approved by the Lord, but then violated by those
who take upon themselves the covenant…
READ Acts 5:1-10
Why did Ananias and Sapphira die?
I really enjoyed your last post on 13 July. It was shared within our fellowship's RSS feed and highly recommended by several people. One thing I wanted to bring to your attention is the link you provided immediately after: "...the post on the Law of Adoption (see post about D&C 132 published on August 8, 2021" was a link to edit the post by the author. Only you would be able to directly jump to the intended post. Thank you for sharing your insights.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the heads up! Technical "user error" on my part, for sure. I'll just go back and delete the link to avoid confusion for people going forward. Glad you enjoyed the post!
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