Come Follow Me with Sam

 Welcome! Une drole d'Eglise Paul shows how the jewish 'church', their ecclesiastical organization and understanding, is in chaos  - the chief priest, guardian of the law is he who violates the law - the different sects are squabbling amongst themselves, in one moment more eager to persecute paul, in the next moment more eager to prosecute their adversaries' contrary ideas - 40 of them straight up swore an oath to murder. This is deeply badness shizam. - they describe the 'quietness' they so desire and that paul is a 'pestilent fellow' interrupting their serenity. Throughout all of this, Paul is guided by the spirit what he must do.

 Welcome! The curious sacrifice of the apostles When most of us picture the gospels, we lean hard on the 'soft Jesus' view - our take-aways are to be kind to one another and love one another and live in peace. This is all certainly true. But the apostles got a lot more out of it than just that. They were compelled to preach the gospel to all the world, as many as would listen, and to take terrible privations, suffering, beating, losing loved ones, losing each other to preach this gospel. That's not just a 'soft Jesus' formula. There is a lot more in there. they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; To the Unknown God See how Paul teaches of the unknown god.

 Welcome! Peter's pork moment there are a few moments where we think one thing is absolute and God changes that in relatively short order. Usually we resist because we think it is a matter of dogma. Most of the time when we are faced with these choices, it is. Some few times when God want to make a big change, He'll teach us something for which we had no prior conception. That is why it is so important to have the spirit with you so that when these moments come, you are neither hardened, nor deceived, but ready to receive. The Jews' gentile moment As above, the traditional Jewish people had a moment where they said 'why them?' Peter's argument was ' the fruits of god are clearly apparent in them; if God has approved them, do you really want to be the ones to raise your hand to protest?' The Apostles Peter moment We can see a pattern for verifying that this comes from God through the way the church leadership looks at the issue. First they think Peter is ...

 Welcome! to be continued one day

 Welcome! I love the acts of the apostles because it shows what people do when they receive Christ. This particular reading focuses specifically on what the new Church of Christ immediately did. It is similar to Mosiah 18 in that we can use this to test churches that claim to be the Church of Christ and see how close they come. The actions and attitudes of the primitive Church of Christ in the dispensation of the gospel of grace The Apostles were immediately focused on the second coming of Christ. The very last question they asked Christ before the Ascension was when his second coming was. The very last closing part of the Ascension was the angels of God confirming the promise of His second coming. In his words at Pentecost, Peter quoted Joel who spoke of the last days. In the second discourse recorded, Peter spoke of preparing for the times of the restitution of all things. The goal of the church from the beginning was to prepare such that they were ready for a Second Coming ...

 Welcome! more fun signs of true worship as shown in the primitive church 1. calling the first quorum of the seventy. Or at least 7 heads to minister the affairs of the church. 2. Stephen seeing Christ (1) on the right hand of God (2) 3. Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, then Peter and John goes down that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 4. Continuation of the apostolic line through Saul (although there may have been some extenuating circumstances surrounding this move. 5. church walked in the 'fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost' and were multiplied. What are we supposed to get out of Stephens message? When we have interaction between groups like this, it can be helpful to search why the prophet is giving that specific message to that specific audience. Here is the overlying idea narration I am seeing with these groups: "Lets start back to where we both have common ground - with father Abraham. Did God not appear and give him commandments, and d...

 Welcome! More lessons from the Mob. mobs are messed up. They formed almost from the beginning of the world. They did terrible things In Joseph Smith's time. They are in their various forms today. It was the mob that put Christ to death. Notice that when talking to the Mob, Christ is very careful when to speak and when not to speak. Notice how everyone knew what was up. Christ obviously knew. Pilate knew,  Mathew 27 vs 18. in verse 23 matt. and luke, the mob couldn't make accusation against Jesus but they cried all the louder. They knew what was up too. But they kept doing what they were doing. When on the cross, the mob in Matt. vs 40-42 said if Christ would come down from the cross they would believe. This is obviously false. They already sent Him there on things they knew were false. Were He to come back, their hearts would be the same. Okay, this part is pretty somber. Hopefully resurrection morning is next week's reading.

 Welcome! Just a few quick notes for this week's come follow me. 67  Art thou the  Christ ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68  And if I also ask  you,  ye will not answer me, nor let  me  go. 69  Hereafter  shall the  Son of man  sit on the right hand of the power of God. 70  Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. 71  And they said, What need we any further  witness ? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth. There is so much to learn from this. If you are sign-seeking, stop ;). Also, Jordan Peterson was right. 19  ¶  The high  priest  then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. 20  Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 21  Why askest thou me? ask them w...

 Welcome! Okay, I'm not going to lie, this is my favorite part of the gospels - I really can't even do this justice. I'll write very short thoughts in hopes that it piques your curiosity, and also hopefully I can fill in more one day. John 14 1  Let not your heart be  troubled : ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2  In my Father’s  house  are many  mansions : if  it were  not  so,  I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will  come  again, and receive you unto myself; that  where   I  am,  there  ye may be also.   Have you ever really thought that there is a place for you prepared!? and its made for you! Hope you strive for the best! Also, this song captures it so perfectly down to that this comes down to your identity and Christ's identity 4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5  Thomas saith unto him...