Paul was a true disciple of Jesus Christ and my hero. (Acts 16-21)

16:16-18

Can evil spirits do good things or should we assume that there is an ulterior motive? I believe that there is an ulterior motive. "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days." This woman was following Paul and telling people that he was a servant of God and would show the "way of salvation."

Why would a wicked spirit do this? Who knows. It could be:

• The woman, realizing that signs and wonders would follow Paul, sought to further establish her credibility.

• She meant to get Paul to be puffed up with pride - causing him to sin.

• She wanted to gently twist the truth of what they were saying to match her motives.

It doesn't really matter her reasons. It is clear that Paul didn't like it.

"But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour." You'd think it would be an advantage to have a woman following you around and telling people who you are - especially when it sounds like she had reputation for having "a spirit of divination." In fact, she was so successful at it that other men were making money off of her possession!

Her following them around crying that they were servants of God didn't please Paul. He was grieved by it. He recognized the evil spirit and wanted no part of it - even though it might help his credibility and bolster his courage. I can imagine that I would like this woman stating clearly who I was and what I was doing. I am especially susceptible to pride...

Is there anything like this in our lives? Is there something that isn't good but it's benefiting us so we keep it around? Is it some aspect of our career? Is it a possession? Is it a person? We need to follow Paul's example and cast it out.

16:22-25, 29-34

The men who benefitted from the possessed woman were upset that their source of income was just cast out. (It's wicked that they were more concerned for their financial gains than this liberated woman!) They brought Paul and Silas to the magistrates and told them that they were causing trouble. It's strange that the magistrates reacted so forcefully to this - they "rent off their clothes and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely."

These men were brutally beaten and unfairly imprisoned. They weren't just thrown into a prison cell but the jailor put their "feet fast in the stocks." It doesn't sound pleasant.

So, Paul and Silas started crying and pouting and blaming God and being jealous of the other apostles who were having more success........No, none of that happened. Instead, "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." What kind of man is treated so unfairly but prays and sings praises.

It would be so easy to feel sorry for myself and question God's wisdom and fairness. Why would he allow his servants to be treated so? Doesn't he want them talking to as many people as possible? Why is he allowing them to be stuck in a prison?

It never works that way. This mortal world is not fair. Suffering happens to everyone. It isn't tied to righteousness. Bad things are allowed to happen. This is agency. God allows it. He always will.

They understood this obviously. To pray and sing praises after being laid with "many stripes" shows how their perspective was based in knowing the plan of salvation and their role in it. It helped them get through the trials that would be in their path until the end.

It's interesting that, after a great earthquake, doors flew open and everyone's hands were loosed, that they remained in the prison. When the guard thought everyone had escaped, he was ready to kill himself and Paul "cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here." Why didn't they all run out?

When the guard heard Paul, "Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" This jailor realized that he had just seen a miracle. Actually two miracles. First, the prison was opened. Second, the prisoners didn't leave. He realized that this event was centered on Paul and Silas. This event humbled him. To his credit, he was open to do what they taught. He wanted what they had.

Their answer was simple, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Interesting that Paul didn't list a bunch of commandments. Paul simply pointed this man to Jesus. We ought to do that more than we do...

This ended well. "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house." The jailor recognized the plan of salvation and the power of Jesus Christ. I believe that, when hearing about Jesus, those who are sufficiently humble and open will feel the Spirit and be converted. They recognize this truth that we rejoiced over in the premortal world. We should keep this in mind as we decided whether to preach Jesus to our friends.

16:37

I've just got to say a word about the coolness and toughness of Paul. The magistrates find out that he is a Roman and has rights that they abused and seek to release him secretly at night. Paul wants nothing of it. "But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out."

Most of us would quickly leave the dreary prison. But Paul, on principle, wants to remain so that the magistrates are forced to face him. I don't know if this is out of spite or what - but I like it.

17:2-3

"And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ." I'd like to say something about our "manner." What does this mean? The definition of manner is "a way in which a thing is done or happens." So, one definition of manner is simply how we do things. Paul's manner was to head to a synagogue and "reason" with people from the scriptures. That sounds like he had a great manner.

What affects our manner? I think we are born with a type of personality and disposition. Our habits and reactions are hard to control and harder to change. But that's what life is about. We are refining ourselves to develop a manner that is based in Christ.

Our manner should be to:

• Testify of Christ at every opportunity.

• Truly listen to people when they are speaking with us.

• Look for chances to uplift and strengthen others.

• Be willing to be interrupted by someone and change our plans.

• Put someone's needs over ours.

Too often, my manner is to:

• Use people as a means to an end.

• Look for opportunities to relax and enjoy my time.

• Look out for my needs first.

• Binge watch and awesome TV show.

• Focus on myself: studying, working out.

I'm reading this book called An Early Resurrection. It talks about how we can die early and live a life in Christ. Part of our old self dying is to simply focus on other people above ourselves. For me, this is about not viewing people as interruptions to projects that I'm working on but see each interaction as an opportunity to let Christ be part of that moment and focus on a person rather than a thing.

I'm pontificating a little on this but I think our manner is something that we ought to pay attention to. What is our natural response to what happens in our lives. If we are in Christ, we will have a Christlike manner. As Christ said, "What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am." (3 Nephi 27:27)

I also love the idea that Paul "reasoned" with them out of the scriptures. The principles found in the scriptures are very reasonable. The principles make sense to us. In fact, they should sound familiar since they were taught to us in the premortal world.

If you have two reasonable people discussing the scriptures, I think reason will triumph. It is only when one person is unteachable or stubborn or narrow minded or proud, it's hard to reason together. It takes two humble and honest people to see the true meaning of the scriptures.

17:5

"But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people." How much trouble does envy cause? I think that Lucifer himself was deeply offended when Christ was chosen as the Savior. I think he felt envy. I think he feels envy towards us now. He and those who follow him are in a constant state of envy. We have something that they will never have - a body. They obviously yearn for that. Envy can cause us to do some bad things. In this case, these unbelievers were stirring up trouble in order to blame it on the apostles.

How does envy affect what we focus on? Can envy drive us to actually choose evil? Does envy curtail how Christlike we are to each other? How much does envy make us dissatisfied with what we have? I am not particularly envious so that's one vice that I'm not struggling with...

17:11

Part of being able to "reason together" is being willing to search the scriptures. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." I don't think it was that they were ready in mind and so they studied the scriptures. Instead, it was they searched the scriptures and so were ready in mind.

As we learn more about the gospel, we invite the Spirit into our lives. The Spirit opens our minds and helps us understand spiritual principles.

17:18-21

"Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)" Paul was teaching about Christ.

Instead of recognizing Christ as their Savior, they saw this information as novel and entertaining and engaging. They had no desire to convert or believe. They simply wanted "social currency." They wanted to learn something interesting so they could be more popular at parties.

While no one reading this is studying simply to be entertained, I have to confess that I may be this way to a degree. I LOVE getting into the scriptures and studying. However, is my motivation to be able to discuss gospel principles effectively with my friends and neighbors or is it to be closer to Jesus Christ? Am I wanting to be popular and that's why I want to learn? Am I wanting to be impressive at church when I make an insightful comment? Is the fuel for my learning actually pride?

It appears that it was for these people. Their learning benefitted them nothing. Said another way, they already had their reward. Their attention would reward them with increasied popularity. It wasn't doing anything for them spiritually. It wasn't strengthening them. It wasn't bringing them closer to Christ. Motives are important. Our motives must be centered on Christ.

17:23-29

It's hard to worship a being that you do not know. These Athenians were doing some of that. Paul said, "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." They were attempting to worship something that they could never understand. Much of the world is this way. No one truly understands the trinity. Many talk about believing in a "higher power." Many consider God to be nature.

All of these "gods" are not the true God. Paul attempted to correct them. "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things." God didn't need their temples or idols. He doesn't need their worship. God needs nothing from us. We are not his creations meant to give him our hearts and stuff.

Instead, we are his children. "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." First, we must understand that God isn't in some distant throne. He can be with us. We can be in his presence constantly. He is always near and his Spirit can always be inside of us.

We are not his creations but are his children. Knowing that we are his children gives us a lot of understanding about what he looks like. Knowing that we are his children allows us to know our potential. We understand better his past and our purpose. Knowing God intimately is what gives us strength. If there was some mental barrier between us and God and we could never comprehend him as a being, we lose that closeness and understanding of our divine potential.

I wish all people understood God the way that we do. Believing in a higher power doesn't empower us the same way that knowing God is a perfected man. We can't get close to a power, but can get close to a father. Knowing God as a father and not a force is what truly gives our lives meaning. It is much easier to build a relationship with a person than an unknowable thing.

"Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device."

18:24-25

Apollos sounds like he was an awesome man. "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John." Why was Apollos so great?

• He had a natural talent for communication. This verse calls him "eloquent." How important is it that we use our talents for building up this kingdom.

• He was "mighty in the scriptures." We must study the scriptures to be mighty in them. It's about feasting on the words. It's about taking the time to draw connections between different books and verses. It's about knowing where to refer when making a point. I think it's going to take me about twenty more years to be mighty in the scriptures. Seriously.

• He was "fervent in the spirit." The definition of fervent is "having a passionate intensity." Its archaic definition includes "hot, burning, or glowing." He was in tune with the Spirit and followed the promptings he received. To be fervent in the Spirit is to rely on the Spirit.

• He "spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord." This gospel is build on words. This church is built on relationships with each other - those relationships are built with words. Words are how principles are taught. Words are the means by which people are converted. He didn't sit in his house and study and become learned. He got out their and spoke to others - he was diligent about it.

It would be great if I were like Apollos.

19:12

"So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." This obviously wasn't an act of faith on Paul's part. He may not have even been aware that people were hoping to collect healing with a handkerchief or apron.

Rather, it sounds like an act of faith on behalf of those who were healed. Sometimes, we need a token of faith. A symbol to help focus our faith is helpful. For example, we use consecrated oil to bless people. I'm not sure there are any actual healing properties to the oil itself. However, if someone is anointed with this oil, it may give their faith a boost.

I think this is why Jesus sometimes did something along with a healing. He put mud on a person's eyes to heal them. Another was told to go bathe in a river. These actions provided something to focus faith. We need that.

19:15

"And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" I wonder if any evil spirits know who I am? Probably not but that would be pretty cool!

19:27-28

When Paul was teaching about Christ, he also taught that idol worship wasn't good. This upset those who built idols and adorned temples. One was Demetrius, a silversmith. "Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians." When people stand to lose their livelihood, they can get really upset. When people cannot provide for themselves, they react in an unreasonable way. Their minds are caught up in panic.

Unfortunately, their concern for worldly treasure prevents them from truly listening to what Paul was saying. Their self-interest blinded them from receiving the gospel. How dumb are they??

Well...how many of us allow our self-interest to stand in the way of our eternal progression? Do we let our careers to prevent us from honoring the sabbath? Do we chase relaxation on our days off rather than attend the temple? How often do we choose TV over scripture study?

I'm starting to feel guilty now... The point is that we can learn from these people and use it as a warning to us to watch how much we let self-interest push the kingdom of God to the side.

20:19-21

Paul was such a great missionary! "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul was one of God's chosen vessels. It's impressive that he served in humility. It is humility that keeps us learning and growing. It's humility that keeps us open to promptings of the Spirit. If we have pride, our will starts to grow in importance. Being a servant of God requires humility.

He didn't hold anything back. He had Jews "lying in wait" and it didn't affect how he was publicly teaching and moving from house to house. To know that you have enemies watching your every move and still aggressively preach is courageous and shows his commitment to Jesus Christ.

He wasn't teaching a complicated message. His message was simply about faith and repentance. Our repentance is directed towards God and our faith is in Jesus Christ. We would do well if those topics were all that we discussed in our church meetings.

20:22-24

"And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Paul was so in tune with the Spirit that he felt "bound" to the Holy Ghost. It would be good if we all felt that same way about our connection with the Spirit.

This connection comes from trusting the Spirit and consistently following promptings. He responded to promptings even when there was a lot on the line. He was like Nephi in that he moved forward, not knowing what he would do.

He was certain that "bonds and afflictions" would accompany his travels. That's saying something. It's hard to embark on a trip knowing that there was real danger and imminent threats. He moved forward with certainty that he would be beaten, jailed, debated, etc.

How did he have such courage? The answer is found in the next line "but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself." His understanding of the purpose of life and the plan of salvation gave him the ultimate level of courage. He wasn't concerned about what could happen to his life. He saw the value of his mortal life correctly. It was as if he had already given his life to Christ. Once you give your life, that person is dead already. You become a new creature in Christ. Letting go of your own hopes and dreams and replacing them with God's will gives a sense of confidence and courage and RELIEF. In a way, it kind of takes the pressure off!

Knowing that persecution was certain, it's cool that he moved forward with joy. He wasn't sullen and glum about his future. He was caught up in his mission and his love for God and Christ. As Christ has taught us, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. You can feel true joy when you're in the right place doing the right thing at the right time!

20:29-31

Paul knew that his departure would put the disciples at risk. "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." The devil doesn't want Christ to have disciples. Satan doesn't want people to progress in the gospel.

These new converts were vulnerable and Paul knew it. He knew that there would be people who would twist and pervert the right ways of the Lord. He also knew that these men would come "of your own selves." These wouldn't be foreign soldiers threatening them. They would be associates who, for whatever prideful reason, would want others to follow them rather than follow Christ. One thing we can always count on is the pride of humans. It's not enough to follow - we want to be the leaders. We desire the praise and adoration of others.

Paul knows that it takes constant, diligent warnings to keep people in the right way. He knew that the people must "watch and remember." They needed to pay attention to what was happening. They couldn't just cruise along with unintentional lives. They needed to be wary. They also needed to continually remember the things that they have been taught and the principles they believe in and the Spirit that they feel. When people leave the Church, they are forgetting experiences and lessons learned. We all must watch and remember to prevent us from getting pulled off of the covenant path.

20:35

We are all the body of Christ. Part of that means that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. Together, we can all strengthen each other. There is less vulnerabilities in a group of disciples than if we are on our own.

The key is to be willing to strengthen those around us. Truly "it is more blessed to give than to receive." If every person is going to church to be fed by others, it doesn't work. Going to church each week means that we are looking for opportunities to bless and help others. We can't all just be going to receive. We should strive to be givers at church.

That doesn't mean that, at certain times of our lives, we are takers. We are going to be fed and receive support from those who are strong. There should be an ebb and flow to this where we all are giving and receiving at different times.

20:27

When Paul left, the people were sad. "And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him." Why did they love him so much? The loved him because he taught them the ways of salvation. He gave them something that would bless them and their children and their children. He served them selflessly. He was giving his life for them.

Imagine if they knew Jesus. How much would they love him? Imagine if we knew Jesus and what he did for us? How much would we fall on his neck and kiss him? When someone selflessly serves you, it builds a level of connection that is hard to build any other way.

As we get to know Jesus and what he did exactly, we will feel a stronger connection to him. As we deeply study his words and acts, we will feel closer to him. This should be our lifelong goal - to know Jesus Christ. To know him without actually meeting him is a difficult thing. It requires effort. Our goal of being like the Savior begins with getting to know him.

21:12-14

A prophet named Agabus warned Paul that he would be bound if he went to Jerusalem. Paul wasn't dissuaded. "And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." His perspective was so good! He saw things from an eternal perspective. He saw himself as a tool in the Lord's hands to be used however the Lord saw fit!

Paul's selfish creature died with Saul. Saul had passion for this mortal life and likely had big plans for his future. He was working hard to rid the world of Christians. When Saul became Paul and was baptized, Saul stayed submerged in the water. Saul died. Paul was the one who was resurrected. All of Saul's hopes and dreams died.

Paul lived in the present. He didn't have a long term plan for his worldly success. His life was about following the promptings of the Spirit as he taught about Jesus Christ. Again, his role was a tool in the Lord's hands. That's it. He lived fearlessly in the present. He literally didn't care what happened to him in the future. We can all learn from Paul.

His example further converted the disciples. "And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done." What a great example! What a profound lesson that they learned from Paul. They learned that, regardless of the risk, the Lord's will be done. Two thousand years later, I'm learning and being inspired by his example!