“What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?”

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?” CFMCorner Jul 8, 2023 19 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: July 10–16 Acts 6–9 Conversion on the Way to Damascus, by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio Videos and Podcasts Video/ Podcast ​Lesson Extension ​Additional Materials Scripture Central Acts 6-9 ​ Follow Him Acts 6-9 Part 1 , Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line Acts 6-9 ​FHE Lesson Teaching with Power Acts 6-9 ​ Don't Miss This Acts 6-9 ​ ​CFM New Testament Acts 6-9 ​Unshaken Acts 6-9 ( Part 1 , Part 2 ) ​ ​The Interpreter Foundation Acts 6-9 ​Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh ​Teaching Helps with John Hilton Acts 6-9 ( not yet posted ) ​ ​Talk of Him Acts 6-9 ​ ​Ponderfun Acts 6-9 ​Talking Scripture Acts 6-9 Show Notes Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson The Book of Acts, written as the second part of Luke's gospel, serves as a crucial historical narrative of the early Christian church. The Book of Acts covers the significant period between the resurrection of Jesus and the death of the apostle Paul, highlighting the formulation of Christian beliefs and the expansion of the church into a worldwide movement. This account provides essential context that can help one to better understand the Gospels and the context of the other New Testament writings. The name “Acts” is derived from the Latin name Actūs Apostolōrum . In Greek, the name for this book originates from Acts 19:18 INT , Πράξεις Ἀποστόλων (práxeis apostolon). The Greek term “práxeis” signifies “deeds, works, or doings” and is the root of the English word “practice” derived from the Greek root πράσσω (praso). Understanding the use of the term “practice” in relation to the apostles in the Book of Acts enhances our comprehension of the account. It emphasizes the active nature of the apostles' faith and how their choices, policies, standards, and practices were shaped by exercising the the principles and lessons they learned from the Savior and his doctrine. The apostles were not simply preaching doctrines or engaging in theoretical discussions; they were actively embodying their faith through their actions and interactions with others. The term “practice” conveys the idea of actively living out one's beliefs, highlighting the practical application of doctrine across various contexts and circumstances. It serves as a reminder that the apostles' commitment to their faith extended beyond mere words, as their faith was evident in their actions. They performed miracles, showed compassion, and remained dedicated to spreading the gospel message despite immense dangers, persecution, and adversity. By emphasizing “practice,” we recognize the transformative power of faith, while simultaneously acknowledging the presence of fallibility and vulnerability. This perspective allows us to better connect with the early saints as we delve into their lives, challenges, choices, consequences, successes, and failures. Moreover, this process encourages us to find parallels between these stories and our own life experiences, fostering powerful opportunities for personal reflection, insight, and growth. While commonly referred to as “The Acts of the Apostles,” the book primarily focuses on the activities of the apostle Paul, with limited information about the original Twelve Apostles. Scholars hold varying opinions regarding authorship, with Luke being credited for parts of the book. The inclusion of certain “we sections” has raised questions among scholars about additional contributors. It is likely that Luke was the original author, but subsequent editors and redactors may have influenced the final form of the text. The Book of Acts consists of twenty-eight chapters. The initial twelve chapters recount events from the last meeting of Jesus with his disciples to the beginning of Paul's missionary work. The remaining sixteen chapters provide a detailed account of Paul's activities, including his mission to the church in Antioch and his eventual imprisonment in Rome. The first section of Acts covers significant events that were discussed in last week's lesson, such as Jesus' ascension, the selection of a replacement for Judas, the Feast of Pentecost and the gift of tongues, Peter's sermons, the arrest of Peter and John, the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira, and an introduction to the disciple Stephen, which is expanded upon in this week's lesson. What Happened at Pentecost and Why It's Important The second section of Acts continues the narrative by addressing the challenges encountered by early members of the Church as they embraced Christianity. As the message of the gospel spread, people from diverse cultures and backgrounds united to form a new community of converts. This was a new experiment for the Jewish people, who had historically been isolated and tribal within their community and culture. By opening their doors to the gentile nations, they had to learn how to prioritize and adjust several policies and procedures that had been important parts of their culture to align with both the doctrines of Jesus Christ and the individual and collective needs of the people. Political, cultural, and social expectations, needs, traditions, and prejudices frequently conflicted and these were challenges common among every single member of this growing community. Members of Christ's Church had to learn how to put their differences aside in order to unite as a single and unified body of Saints. Within this community, many intriguing and captivating figures from all walks of life emerged, including Simon, the sorcerer, and an influential unnamed Ethiopian delegate who served as an ambassador for the Queen Regent ( Candace/ Kentake ) . These individuals faced significant adjustments and sacrifices in their lifestyles and livelihoods as they embraced Christ's gospel. Many had to sacrifice their jobs, families, friends, homes, possessions, cultures, traditions, and prior beliefs and expectations. All had to reevaluate their past traditions and experiences to better align their practices with the teachings of the gospel. Many of these stories bear resemblance to our more recent pioneer history and echo the challenges encountered in the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The enduring relevance of these lessons can also be seen among new converts to the Church today, who encounter similar challenges on their journeys of faith. Even long-standing members can relate to similar experiences, as changes to policies and readjustments to cultural and social expectations continue to progress, expand, and develop within a growing international Church. This is an essential and important part of the refining process of the Restoration. In the chapters we explore this week, we have the opportunity to observe the organizational structure of the primitive church and the roles of the priesthood within it. Specifically, we encounter the roles of apostles, deacons, elders, and priests. It becomes evident how the apostles delegated these positions to address both the temporal and spiritual needs of the community. We witness the structure of these roles and the process of calling, ordaining, and setting apart individuals to fulfill their respective duties and functions. Upon exploring the provided cross-references, remarkable parallels can be drawn between the organization and function of the priesthood then and now. This resemblance should come as no surprise, as the restoration of the Church sought to align with the ministry patterns established by Christ and His apostles in previous dispensations. Throughout the chapters, we encounter numerous examples of faithful and devoted priesthood holders who exemplified their callings even under the most challenging circumstances, driven by their love for the Lord. Many of these individuals displayed unwavering dedication, giving everything they had, including their own lives, to build and fortify the Lord's kingdom here on earth. The challenges that the early Christian community faced were not limited to internal struggles within the Church. External pressures from Jewish and Roman authorities escalated, leading to increased persecution against the followers of Christ's doctrine. We learn about the serious and tragic nature of this persecution with the story of the disciple Steven, who is frequently regarded as the first martyr of the Christian Church following the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a follower of Jesus Christ, Stephen was a shining example of the calling and role he served. Known for his wisdom, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit working through him, Steven was appointed as one of the seven deacons to serve his community. He oversaw the temporal needs of his area and was specifically assigned to preside over the equitable distribution of food to the widows and families in his area. Stephen's powerful and educated teachings demonstrated his deep understanding of the Scriptures and he boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Several religious leaders were threatened by Stephen's message, and they began to stir up contention within the community, bringing forth multiple false witnesses to testify against him. This eventually led to his arrest. In his defense before the Jewish council, Stephen delivered a powerful speech recounting the history of Israel and their continued resistance to God's messengers, which he proclaimed ultimately culminated in the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He boldly accused the religious leaders of betraying and murdering the Just, or Righteous One, echoing Jesus' own words condemning those who persecuted God's elect. Stephen's speech acknowledged the guilt and corruption of the religious counsel, it warned them of the devastating consequenc