Scriptural Highlights

• Paul teaches, baptizes, and confers the Holy Ghost on believers in Ephesus.
• Paul gives a farewell address to Church leaders from Ephesus.
• Paul chastises and counsels the Galatian Saints.

Introduction

1. Consider the following related to missionary work:
• Convert baptisms & membership 1990-1998.
 

Year	Convert Baptisms	Total  Membership
1990	330,877	7,760,000
1991	297,779	-
1992	274,477	8,406,895
1993	304,808-	-
1994	300,730-	9,024,569
1995	304,330-	9,340,898
1996	321,385-	9,694,549
1997	317,798-	10,070,524
1998	299,134-	10,354,241

Source: Convert baptisms 1990-1994 from Sep 1995 Ensign; remaining statistics from Apr Ensigns 1991, 1993, 1995-99. Unable to locate membership numbers for 1991 and 1993.









• I first looked at the convert statistics in 1995, when last teaching about Paul's missionary journeys. I was surprised at that time to find that convert baptisms had remained relatively constant over the 1990 to 1994 period. I was even more surprised to see that those numbers have continued to remain fairly constant over the past four years. In fact, 1998 was the third lowest during the nine years listed. It would seem logical that convert baptisms would increase proportionately with membership.
• WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE CONVERT BAPTISMS HAVE REMAINED CONSTANT RATHER THAN INCREASING PROPORTIONATELY?
• WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
• Joseph Fielding Smith: "...every member of the Church should be a missionary; not necessarily to go forth into the world, but to preach the gospel to our neighbors and friends who are not in the Church. Moreover, by our example and our faithfulness to every commandment the Lord has given us to show our friends and the strangers within our gates the way to eternal life through our actions as well as through our words, that is, to be humble missionaries and advocates of the truth in our daily acts and conversations." (Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:55)
• We need to be as enthusiastic and diligent in the fulfillment of this duty as Paul was in fulfilling his duty as a missionary following his conversion. There may be a host of reasons why the convert rate has leveled off. One thing I know, I need to be a better member missionary, both in example and testimony. If we all "lengthen our stride" in this regard, I believe we would see a difference.
2. "After returning from his second mission, Paul spent some time in Antioch and then departed on a third mission. He first went through Galatia and Phyrgia, then spent three years in Ephesus. The work of God grew mightily during this time, but opposition stiffened as Paul's preaching against false gods threatened the lucrative business of silversmiths who sold small silver shrines for Diana, pagan goddess of Asia Minor. Realizing the bitterness of the hostility toward him, Paul decided to leave Ephesus. He called together the disciples, embraced them, then left for Macedonia.

     "After giving 'much exhortation' in the cities of Macedonia (Acts 20:2), Paul went to Greece for three months. He then started the long journey back to Jerusalem, traveling again through Macedonia. He had hoped to arrive in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost, but threats against his life caused him to take a slower route. When he reached Miletus, he sent a messenger to Ephesus to ask the Church leaders there to come and meet him. He delivered a stirring farewell address, then resumed his journey, stopping frequently to strengthen the churches along the way.
     "During his third mission Paul wrote a letter to the Saints in Galatia, warning them against false teachings and stressing the central role of Christ's atonement." (1989, 1995 Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, p31)

Acts 19

1. Paul goes to Ephesus and finds disciples of John who had not yet received the Holy Ghost.
• READ ACTS 19:1-7. Paul confers the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• This verse provides Biblical evidence that the gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands.
• WHAT SPIRITUAL MANIFESTATIONS OCCURRED WHEN SOME OF THE EPHESIANS RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST?
• "...they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (v6).
• WHAT MANIFESTATIONS OF THE HOLY GHOST ARE EXPERIENCED TODAY?
• As we live worthy, we are entitled to the manifestations of the Spirit as they are needed. In the 10th chapter of Moroni, the great ancient prophet gives a list of the gifts of God that are administered through the manifestations of the Spirit to which we may be entitled. The quiet promptings we receive, that guide us in our daily lives, are the most frequent gifts of the Spirit to be found in the modern Church, though the other gifts are manifest when needed.
2. READ ACTS 19:8-9. Paul leaves the synagogue to preach in the school of Tyrannus.
• WHY DID PAUL LEAVE THE SYNAGOGUE IN EPHESUS?
• Some of his listeners became "hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way" (v9).
• HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND WHEN WE MEET PEOPLE WHO OPENLY OPPOSE THE GOSPEL?
• As a young student in high school, I belonged to the debate club for two years. I enjoyed crafting an argument for my position and winning the debate. I carried some of that spirit of debate with me as I began my mission. I was thrilled, because the Lord had provided such incredible evidence. How could I lose?

     I quickly learned that clever arguments did not win souls. I came to learn that we did want to present the gospel in a logical way, but then we needed to allow the Spirit to touch hearts and change minds. I also learned that when debate and contention entered the room, the Spirit left.
     A few months into my mission, my companion and I were tracting through a rural town in eastern Oklahoma. We came to a house and introduced ourselves. The lady said that she, her family, and some of her friends would be interested in hearing our message. We set an appointment for an evening visit.
     A few days later my companion and I returned to the home, only to discover that we had been set up. Not only did the woman have her family and friends present, but her minister was there and a tape recorder had been set up to record our discussion.
     We began to present our message and the minister argued with us on every point. We could see that the others enjoyed seeing us squirm and struggle. Then I felt prompted to ask the minister where he obtained his authority to teach the gospel. He did a poor job of explaining how he had been ordained. For the benefit of those present, I then traced my line of authority back to Jesus Christ. I bore solemn testimony of the restoration of this priesthood authority. After bearing this testimony, we felt prompted to end our visit.
     Like Paul's departure from the synagogue, we left this home. Debate and contention was not right. We did not feel right to be in that situation. We were prompted to leave after bearing testimony.
     Since that night, I have often wondered if one of the young people present in that home, that night, heard our honest, sincere testimonies and was touched. Did they go back and listen to the recording and hear two young missionaries pour out their hearts? Did they wonder what prompted such a testimony?
• 3 Nephi 11:29-30: "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

     "Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away."
• Elder Marvin J. Ashton: "When others disagree with our stand we should not argue, retaliate in kind, or contend with them.... Ours is to explain our position through reason, friendly persuasion, and accurate facts. Ours is to stand firm and unyielding on the moral issues of the day and the eternal principles of the gospel, but to contend with no man or organization. Contention builds walls and puts up barriers. Love opens doors.... Contention never was and never will be an ally of progress." (Ensign, May 1978, pp7-8)
3. READS ACTS 19:23-28. Silversmith's craft threatened.
• WHY WERE DEMETRIUS AND THE EPHESIAN SILVERSMITHS SO UPSET WITH PAUL?
• People are motivated by economics. It has often been said that when voters go to the polls, they vote their pocketbook. If the economy is doing well, they retain the incumbents. When the economy terns south, they vote the rascals out of office.

     The Ephesian silversmiths were dependent on their sale of shrines for their income. It had become a lucrative venture. When Paul came into town and started preaching against false gods, these men became concerned about their income.
• HOW CAN WORLDLY INTERESTS LEAD PEOPLE TO OPPOSE THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
• The Ephesian silversmiths are a great example as their livelihood would be affected by the decreased sale of shrines as people joined the church and began to live the gospel.
• Consider the case of W.F. Magraw. Magraw held a lucrative contract from the government to carry the mail from Independence to Salt Lake City. He lost his bid to retain the contract when Hyrum Kimball and the Y.X. Company (a Mormon firm) underbid Magraw.

     Like the Ephesian silversmiths, he began to cry out against the Church and sent the following communication to President Buchanan in October 1856: "There is no disguising the fact that there is left no vestige of law and order, no protection for life or property; the civil laws of the territory are overshadowed and neutralized by a so-styled ecclesiastical organization, as despotic, dangerous, and damnable, as has ever been known to exist in any country, and which is ruining, not only those who do not subscribe to their religious code, but is driving the moderate and more orderly of the Mormon community to desperation" (Comprehensive History of the Church, 4:210) This letter, along with other accusations against the Mormons, led to the Utah War.
• HOW CAN OUR OWN MATERIAL INTERESTS AFFECT OUR LOYALTY TO THE LORD?
• Do we engage in an occupation that is dependent on a product or service that would cause others to violate laws of God?
• What will be the result of business dealings with good members of the Church? What happens if the venture turns bad?
• Are we responsible for a business that leads ourselves or others to violate the Sabbath day?
• Do we have material interests that take precedence over the payment of tithes and offerings?
• Indeed, we must be careful. Our first loyalty needs to be to the Lord. If we are living a Christ centered life, then we will do our best to make the proper choices in regards to our material interests.
• We read in Acts 19:18-19 of those who had practiced magic arts: "And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver."
• These people would not let their material possessions or interests stand in the way of their conversion. They gave up their craft and sacrificed their valuable books.

Acts 20

1. As he was returning to Jerusalem, Paul sent a messenger to Ephesus to ask the Church leaders to meet with in in Miletus. There he delivered a farewell address.
2. READ ACTS 20:28-31. Paul warns against apostasy.
• WHAT IS PAUL WARNING THE ELDERS OF EPHESUS ABOUT?
• Apostasy.
• FROM WHAT SOURCES WOULD APOSTASY COME?  WHO WERE THESE GRIEVOUS WOLVES?
• Members of the Church who would apostatize and try to lead other members away.
• HOW CAN WE GUARD AGAINST APOSTASY IN OUR LIVES?
3. READ ACTS 20:35-38. Paul's final comments to the people at Ephesus.
• "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
• The great love shown to Paul.

Galatians

1. Introduction.
• There are various arguments as to when it was written.
•  Many scholars say it was written on Paul's third missionary journey while at Ephesus.
• Galatia was a Roman province (now in modern day Turkey - see map).
2. READ 1:6-10. After a brief greeting, Paul chides the Saints for being deceived by false doctrine.
• Paul then states his credentials for teaching the gospel.
•  The gospel is not of man, but given by revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12).
• His teaching is in harmony with the other Apostles.
3. READ 2:16,21. Man justified by faith in Christ, not by the works of the law.
• This is the major theme of the letter to the Galatians.
• The people had been led astray - to believe again in the works of the law.
• WHAT IS THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH?
• "Justification means 'to be declared righteous,' and also 'to be put back in to the right relationship with a person.'  Therefore, what Paul was saying is that no man can be made righteous and reestablish the proper relationship with God exclusively by the works of the Mosaic law or, for that matter, by any law of works alone.  This can come only through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior and through obedience." (1989, 1995 Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, p31)
• Sidney B. Sperry: "...justification seems to anticipate for a Christian a decision of 'acquittal' or of being regarded as 'righteous' in a future Divine judgment. Can a member of the Church of Christ be regarded in the present time as being justified by faith? If he has truly been 'born again' of the Spirit and continues in a newness of life, we may answer 'yes.' In anticipation of his continued observance of the requirements of God, he may be regarded as 'acquitted' or as 'righteous,' and so is in Divine favor." (Paul's Life and Letters, p176)
• "Justification is a judicial act, whereby God declares that the sinner who repents and by faith accepts the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, and who is baptized according to the Word of God, is acquitted and received into His Kingdom.

     "Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit by which he who is justified is enabled to keep the Commandments of God and grow in holiness (Helaman, 3:35)." (Doctrine and Covenants Commentary, p104)
• Reminder: Any references to THE LAW in the New Testament are speaking of the Mosaic Law.  With the death & resurrection of Christ the Law was made dead.  Therefore, what Paul was saying to the Galatians was this: You must give up your old ways and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Lord himself and his

commissioned representatives.
• Galatians 3:23-29: "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

     "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
     "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
     "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
     "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
     "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
     "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
4. As in Paul's day, today there are Church members that pervert the gospel.  WHAT ARE SOME EVIDENCES OF THIS?
• Bishop Glenn L. Pace, : "The last category of criticism I will address comes from within the Church itself.  This criticism is more lethal than that coming from non-members.  The danger lies not in what may come from a member critic, but in the chance that we might become one.

     "One activity which often leads a member to be critical is engaging in inappropriate intellectualism.  While it would seem the search for and discovery of truth should be the goal of all Latter-day Saints, it appears some get more satisfaction from trying to discover new uncertainties.  I have friends who have literally spent their lives, thus far, trying to nail down every single intellectual loose end rather than accepting the witness of the Spirit and getting on with it.  In so doing they are depriving themselves of a gold mine of beautiful truths which cannot be tapped by the mind alone....
     "Inappropriate intellectualism sometimes leads one to testify that he knows the gospel is true but believes the Brethren are just a little out of touch....
     "There are some of our members who practice selective obedience.  A prophet is not one who displays a smorgasbord of truth from which we are free to pick and choose.  However, some members become critical and suggest the prophet should change the menu." (CR, Apr 1989)
• Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "In the five years since I was called as a General Authority, I have seen many instances where Church leaders and members have been troubled by things said by these alternate voices.  I am convinced that some are confused about the Church's relationship to the alternate voices.  As a result, members can be misled in their personal choices, and the work of the Lord can suffer.

     "Some alternate voices are those of well-motivated men and women who are merely trying to serve their brothers and sisters and further the cause of Zion.  Their efforts fit within the Lord's teaching that his servants should not have to be commanded in all things, but 'should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness'.
     "Other alternate voices are pursuing selfish personal interests, such as property, pride, prominence, or power.  Other voices are the bleatings of lost souls who cannot hear the voice of the Shepherd and are trying to find their way without his guidance.  Some of these voices call out guidance for others--the lost leading the lost.
     "Some alternate voices are of those whose avowed or secret object is to deceive and devour the flock.  The Good Shepherd warned, 'Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.'....
     "In most instances, alternate voices are heard in the same kinds of communications the Church uses to perform its mission.  The Church has magazines and other official publications, a newspaper supplement, letters from Church leaders, general conferences, and regular meetings and conferences in local units.  Similarly, alternate voices are heard in magazines, journals, and newspapers and at lectures, symposia, and conferences.
     "The Church...does not attempt to isolate its members from alternate voices.  Its approach, as counseled by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is to teach correct principles and then leave its members to govern themselves by personal choices." (CR, Apr 1989)
• HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THIS EVIL?
• HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO SUCH CHURCH MEMBERS?
5. READ 5:16-25. Works of the flesh & fruits of the Spirit.
• An interesting comparison between the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit.
• WHAT HONEST AND PURE IN HEART INDIVIDUAL WOULD DESIRE THE WORKS OF THE FLESH OVER THE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT AS DESCRIBED BY PAUL?
• WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF DOING THE WORKS OF THE FLESH?
• Alma 41:10: "...wickedness, never was happiness."

Galatians 6:7-8: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
     "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
• WHY, THEN, ARE THESE WORKS SO PREVALENT?
• WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THE SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT WE LIVE IN?
6. Some final teachings in Galatians.
• READ 5:13-14, 6:2. Help one another.
• READ 6:9-10. Be not weary in well doing.
• WHAT DID PAUL MEAN TO NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING?

Next Week

Lesson 33: 1 Corinthians 1-6

Additional Reading: 1 Corinthians 7-10; Bible Dictionary, "Pauline Epistles: Epistles to the Corinthians," 743-744