Transcript God Is No Respecter of Persons”

In Tune….
Arturo Toscanini, the late, famous conductor of the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra, received a brief, crumpled letter from a lonely sheepherder in the
remote mountain area of Wyoming:
"Mr. Conductor: I have only two possessions—a radio and an old violin. The
batteries in my radio are getting low and will soon die. My violin is so out of
tune I can't use it. Please help me. Next Sunday when you begin your
concert, sound a loud 'A' so I can tune my 'A' string; then I can tune the
other strings. When my radio batteries are dead, I'll have my violin.”
At the beginning of his next nationwide radio
concert from Carnegie Hall, Toscanini announced:
"For a dear friend and listener back in the mountains
of Wyoming the orchestra will now sound an 'A.'" The
musicians all joined together in a perfect "A.”
The lonely sheepherder only needed one note,
just a little help to get back in tune; . . . he needed
someone who cared to assist him with one string;
[after that] the others would be easy.
(Elder David B. Haight,"People to People," Ensign, November 1981,p 54.)
“God Is No Respecter of Persons”
The gospel is for all people and the Church is guided by continuing revelation.
Frances Hume
Lesson 30
Acts 10–14;
15:1–35
Acts 10:1–11:18
Cornelius & Peter
Acts 10:1–11:18
What kind of man was Cornelius? (See Acts 10:1–2, 30–31.)
What was the angel’s message to Cornelius? (See Acts 10:3–
6.)
How did Cornelius react to this message? (See Acts 10:7–8,
33.) Why is it important to act immediately on instructions or
promptings from God?
While Cornelius’s men were traveling to Joppa, Peter had a
vision (Acts 10:9–16).
What did Peter see in this vision? (See Acts 10:11–12.)
What was Peter told to do? (See Acts 10:13.)
Why did Peter resist? (See Acts 10:14.
How did the Lord respond to Peter’s concern? (See Acts
10:15–16.)
Peter learns in a vision that the gospel
should be preached to the Gentiles.
As he met with Cornelius, Peter understood his dream.
What did it mean? (See Acts 10:28, 34–35.
“God is no respecter of persons”
It means that God will provide every person with the
opportunity to receive the blessings available through the
plan of salvation. The gospel was for all people, not just the
Jews.
Why were the Gentiles represented in the dream by
unclean animals?
The Jews thought the Gentiles were spiritually unworthy or
unclean, like the animals that the law of Moses forbade
Jews to eat. By saying that the animals in the dream were
now “cleansed,” the Lord was telling Peter that the gospel
should now be preached to all people.
After Peter explained his dream, he began
teaching Cornelius and his friends. What did
he teach in his first sermon to them? (See
Acts 10:36–43.)
What happened as Peter was preaching?
(See Acts 10:44, 46.) Why did this convince
Peter that Cornelius and his friends should
be baptized? (See Acts 10:47–48; see also
Acts 11:15–17.)
How did some Church members react when
they heard that Peter had been teaching the
gospel to Gentiles? (See Acts 11:1–3.) Why
were these members upset?
BIBLE DICTIONARY - CORNELIUS
A centurion at Caesarea, baptized by Peter (Acts
10). The significance of Cornelius’s baptism is that
he was probably the first gentile to come into the
Church not having previously become a proselyte to
Judaism (see Proselytes). Other gentiles had joined
the Church, but they had been converted to
Judaism before becoming Christians, which caused
no great commotion among Jewish Christians who
thought of Christianity as having some ties with
Judaism. Preceding the baptism of Cornelius, there
were several spiritual manifestations: the ministry
of an angel to Cornelius; a vision to Peter showing
that the dietary restrictions of the law of Moses
were to be discontinued; the voice of the Spirit to
Peter; and a manifestation of the power of the Holy Ghost, accompanied by
the speaking in tongues. All of this would make clear the divine approval
and direction of what was about to take place. The baptism of Cornelius
and his family marked a new dimension in the work of the Church in N.T.
times, since it opened the way for the gospel to be preached to the gentiles
directly, without going by way of Judaism. It is notable that this major
event in the missionary activity of the Church was done through the
ministry of Peter, the chief apostle, who held the keys of the kingdom of
God at that time on the earth.
How did the Church members’ opinions change
after Peter told them about his vision and his
experience with Cornelius? (See Acts 11:4–18.)
What should we do when we receive new
instructions from our Church leaders, even if we
initially dislike the instructions or find them difficult
to understand? (See John 7:17; 2 Nephi 28:30;
D&C 6:11, 14–15.)
Why was Peter the one who received the
revelation to teach the gospel to the Gentiles?
Who receives revelation today for the entire
Church? Why is it important to have only one
person who receives revelation for the entire
Church? (See D&C 43:2–6)
Where were you June 8, 1978?
What significant revelation
occurred on that date?
The Priesthood was made
available to all worthy male
members of the Church.
Official Declaration 2 –
Hint
located at the end of the
Doctrine and Covenants
The Apostles determine that Gentiles do
not need to keep the law of Moses.
Acts 15:1–2 - What dispute did Paul and
Barnabas go to Jerusalem to resolve?
Bible Dictionary, “Circumcision,” 646.
Circumcision was symbolic of the entire law of
Moses. A circumcised man was one who kept
the law. Although Jesus Christ had fulfilled the
law of Moses, some Jewish Christians still
practiced it and wanted Gentile converts to
practice it as well.
How was the dispute resolved?
Token of Abrahamic Covenant
Circumcision - Token of Abraham’s and every male descendant’s
covenant (Genesis 17:3-7; 10-11)
Circumcision – Latin words meaning “to cut around”
Not the act itself but rather what it stood for that gave
circumcision its great significance. Though a person may
have had the token of circumcision in the flesh, unless he
was righteous the covenant was invalidated and the
circumcision became profitless. Thus, circumcision was
only a sign or token of what needed to happen to the
inward man. If the inward change had not taken place,
then circumcision was virtually meaningless.
True circumcision is of the heart. The heart that is
“circumcised” is one that loves God and is obedient to the
Spirit. The “uncircumcised in heart” are wicked, proud, and
rebellious.
Bible Dictionary, “Circumcision,” 646.
There was much controversy in the early church with regard to
the obligation of circumcision (Acts 15:1-31). The Church
under direction of Peter and the Twelve, and acting under the
guidance of the Spirit, declared that circumcision was not
obligatory for gentile converts. However, it apparently did not
settle the matter of whether or not Jewish members of the
Church should have their children circumcised. As one reads
the scriptures on the matter, it becomes evident that the real
issue was not circumcision only, but also the larger question
as to continued observance of the law of Moses by members
of the Church.
The word circumcision seems to have been representative of the
law in these instances. The controversy was renewed later on
in Galatia, as we read in Gal. 2: 1-15; Gal. 5: 2-6, 11; Gal. 6:
12-16. These passages, along with Rom. 2: 25-29; Rom. 3: 12; Philip. 3: 3; and Col. 2: 11, contain Paul’s teaching on the
subject.
The Jewish part of the church membership,
especially in Jerusalem, appears to have
been very reluctant to cease from the rituals
and ceremony of the law of Moses (Acts 21:
17-15). This is a marked contrast to the
Church among the Nephites, in which there
seems to have been a cessation of the law
immediately upon their awareness of the
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(3 Ne. 15: 1-4; Moro. 8: 8).
Church Policy & Practices
How do the events described in Acts 15:6–31
demonstrate the pattern by which decisions
about Church policy and practices are made?
a. Church leaders meet to consider the matter
(verse 6).
b. They discuss the matter thoroughly (verses
7–21).
c. They make a decision in accordance with the
Lord’s will (verses 19–21).
d. The Holy Ghost confirms that the decision is
correct (verse 28).
e. The decision is announced to the Saints for
sustaining (verses 22–31).
President Kimball speaking to saints in
South Africa.
"As you know, on the ninth of June a policy was changed that
affects great numbers of people throughout the world.
Millions and millions of people will be affected by the
revelation which came. I remember very vividly that day
after day I walked to the temple and ascended to the fourth
floor where we have our solemn assemblies and where we
have our meetings of the Twelve and the First Presidency.
After everybody had gone out of the temple, I knelt and
prayed. I prayed with much fervency. I knew that something
was before us that was extremely important to many of the
children of God. I knew that we could receive the revelations
of the Lord only by being worthy and ready for them and
ready to accept them and put them into place. Day after day
I went alone and with great solemnity and seriousness in
the upper rooms of the temple, and there I offered my soul
and offered my efforts to go forward with the program. I
wanted to do what he wanted. I talked about it to him and
President Kimball speaking to saints in
South Africa.
said, "Lord, I want only what is right. We are not making any
plans to be spectacularly moving. We want only the thing
that thou dost want, and we want it when you want it and not
until."
We met with the Council of the Twelve Apostles, time after time
in the holy room where there is a picture of the Savior in
many different moods and also pictures of all the Presidents
of the Church. Finally we had the feeling and the impression
from the Lord, who made it very clear to us, that this was the
thing to do to make the gospel universal to all worthy
people. You will meet this situation undoubtedly as you bring
the gospel to them on condition that their lives can be
changed. (It was announced to the church members.)
I anticipate the day when the gospel, that has come to you and
your families and has transformed your lives, will begin to
transform their lives and make new people out of them.
They become people who will love the Lord and who will
make the same sacrifices that you make (Teachings of Spencer W.
Kimball, pp. 450-451).
October 22, 1961
The first official Church meeting in black Africa was held on October 22,
1961, in a small mud hut in Opobo District, Nigeria, where Brother
Williams met with a pastor and 110 followers. No one came by car.
Many, including eight mothers with small children, had begun their
day before 4:00 a.m. and walked 25 miles or more to be there. After
teaching them for two hours, Brother Williams prepared to end the
meeting. He recorded:
It was hot as blazes. . . . My suit was wringing wet. . . . When I turned the
meeting back to [the pastor], I heard a murmur all through the
congregation . . . and [the pastor] said to me, "They don't want to go
home. They have something to say."
Then for three hours . . . these people were standing up bearing
testimony to the truthfulness of the Church and how they believed in
the prophets. I could not believe what I was hearing. [Williams
interview, pp. 10–12]
One elderly gentleman said: “I keep hearing you say, "if we are sincere."
Elder Williams, I want you to know that I am sincere. I am an old man .
. . I am sick. But when I heard you were going to be here, I walked 16
miles this morning to see you and to hear what you have to say. I still
have to walk 16 miles to get back home, and I am not well. I want you
to know that I am sincere or I would not be here. I have not seen
President McKay. I have not seen God. But I have seen you. And I will
hold you personally accountable to tell President McKay that I am
sincere.”
The significance of this
unique chapter of Church
history was summed up by
Brother Jude Inmpey from
Nigeria. At a social gathering
with mission couples, the
mission president called on
him to share his feelings
about the gospel coming to his
people.
He related a dream that he had not understood until that moment. He
had dreamed that he was in a gathering where an organ was
playing background music. It sounded terrible, and people were
complaining. They discovered that the organist was playing only
on the white keys.
Brother Inmpey then observed, "For many, many years the Church
has been playing only the white keys, but now we are playing on
the white and the black keys, and the music is much, much
sweeter" (LeBaron, All Are Alike unto God, p. 123).
Church Statistics
At the beginning of 2002, the
Church had over 11 million
members living in over 160
nations. There were more than
60,000 missionaries working in
over 120 independent
countries, speaking about 50
major languages and many
additional dialects.
The Church is also growing
more diverse internationally.
More than half of all Church
members now reside outside
of the United States, a
milestone that was reached in
February 1996.
2007 ~13,000,000 members
2006 more than 272,800
convert baptisms.
8,254 meetinghouses
internationally, a 10 percent
growth rate over the past five
years. United States has
6,361 meetinghouses—or a
9.6 percent growth rate for
the same time period. Many
of these meetinghouses
accommodate several
congregations.
More than 52,000
missionaries teach in 347
missions in more than 140
nations.
total number of missions
around the world to 347.
President Gordon B. Hinckley remarked:
“With the ever increasing number of
converts, we must make an increasingly
substantial effort to assist them as they
find their way. Every one of them needs
three things: a friend, a responsibility, and
nurturing with ‘the good word of God’
(Moroni 6:4). It is our duty and opportunity to
provide these things” (in Conference Report, Apr.
1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47).
President Gordon B. Hinckley has emphasized
how essential it is that new members’
involvement not end after baptism and
confirmation. “The challenge now is greater than
it has ever been because the number of
converts is greater than we have ever before
known. … I plead with you … I ask of you, each
of you, to become a part of this great effort.
Every convert is precious. Every convert is a son
or daughter of God. Every convert is a great and
serious responsibility. … In my view nothing is of
greater importance” (“Converts and Young Men,” Ensign,
May 1997, 48).
Next Week
Lesson 31:
Acts 15:36–18:22;
1 Thessalonians and
2 Thessalonians