Acts 19:1–7
Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost
One of the greatest gifts that Heavenly Father offers to covenant disciples of Jesus Christ is the gift of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, Paul was surprised when he met disciples in Ephesus who said they had been baptized but had never heard of the Holy Ghost. As it turned out, they had been baptized but not in the name of Jesus Christ. After they were baptized in “the name of the Lord Jesus,” Paul laid his hands on them and gave them the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:5). This lesson can help you receive the blessings that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ desire to give you through the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Prayerfully seek God’s help as you teach. Teaching the gospel is God’s work, and He wants you to succeed in that task. If you seek Heavenly Father’s help, He will send the Holy Ghost to inspire you to prepare a learning experience that will bless your students.
Student preparation: Invite students to think about behaviors that invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost and to strive to do those things more often in their lives.
Possible Learning Activities
Joseph Smith’s counsel to the Church
After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young had many questions and concerns as the next prophet of the Church. On one occasion, Joseph Smith appeared to Brigham Young in a dream and offered him the following counsel: “Tell the people to be sure to ” (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 2, No Unhallowed Hand, 1846–1893 [2020], 49).
Consider writing the preceding unfinished statement on the board and displaying the following image below before asking the question that follows.
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What counsel do you think Joseph Smith might have given to help the members of the Church?
Joseph Smith counseled Brigham Young to “tell the people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and follow it, and it would lead them just right” (Saints, 2:49).
Consider inviting students to share their thoughts prompted by the following question and journal entry suggestion. Based on student responses, determine if the lesson should be adapted.
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Of all the counsel Joseph could have given to Brigham Young, why do you think he emphasized seeking the companionship of the Holy Ghost?
Record in your journal reasons why you think Joseph Smith’s message to the Church is still needed in our day and in your life. As you study this lesson, think about how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can bless your life through the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The gift of the Holy Ghost
As Paul began his third missionary journey, he traveled throughout Galatia and Phrygia. He then traveled to Ephesus (see Bible Maps, no. 13, “The Missionary Journeys of the Apostle Paul”). There he met and taught disciples who had never heard of the Holy Ghost. These people had been baptized previously by someone who did not hold the proper authority (see Joseph Smith, “Baptism,” Times and Seasons, Sept. 1, 1842, 904, josephsmithpapers.org).
Read Acts 19:1–7, looking for how Paul helped these disciples.
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Why do you think Paul would focus his teaching on Jesus Christ before rebaptizing the disciples?
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How might you describe to these people the importance of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism?
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What truths from this account might you share with someone who had been baptized previously in another religion?
One of the truths we can learn from this account is that in order for baptism to be complete, it must be accompanied by being confirmed and receiving the Holy Ghost.
Take a few minutes to reflect on why you think Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want you to have the Holy Ghost as your companion. Ponder this as you read the following scriptures:
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Why do you think Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want the Holy Ghost to be your constant companion?
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In what ways has the Holy Ghost been especially helpful to you in your life? Why?
The following suggestion can help students discuss what we need to do to better receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Feel free to use other methods to accomplish this purpose.
To help you visualize and understand the need to prepare yourself to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost, complete or imagine the following activity.
Place three empty cups in a sink or on a tray that can hold water. Completely cover the top of one cup with a piece of paper or a lid. Place an object (such as a rock) in another cup that takes up most of the cup’s space. Then try to fill each of the three cups with water.
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If the cups represent us and the water represents the Holy Ghost, what might the piece of paper (or lid) and the rock (or other object) represent in someone’s life?
Read these two statements by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles about the Holy Ghost:
The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words [“receive the Holy Ghost”] are spoken.
(David A. Bednar, “Receive the Holy Ghost,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 95)
If something we think, see, hear, or do distances us from the Holy Ghost, then we should stop thinking, seeing, hearing, or doing that thing. If that which is intended to entertain, for example, alienates us from the Holy Spirit, then certainly that type of entertainment is not for us. Because the Spirit cannot abide that which is vulgar, crude, or immodest, then clearly such things are not for us.
(David A. Bednar, “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 30)
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What did Elder Bednar teach that you think is especially important for youth today to understand? Why?
Remind students of the student preparation suggestion as they answer the following questions.
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How do you recognize the companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life? When is a recent time that you have recognized His influence?
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What decisions have you made that have helped you have the Holy Ghost with you more often? How has Heavenly Father blessed you through this gift?
Consider sharing a personal experience about being blessed by the influence of the Holy Ghost. The video “Enemy Territory” in the “Commentary and Background Information” section could be shown as an example.
Make a plan to receive the influence of the Holy Ghost more fully and more often in your life. Ask Heavenly Father to help you with your plan and to bless you to recognize His influence through the Holy Ghost as you work to accomplish it.
Commentary and Background Information
Why is it important that I receive the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life?
President Russell M. Nelson offered the following invitation to each of us.
In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Let this [day] be a defining moment in your life. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.
(Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 96)
In the video “Enemy Territory” (3:38), President Boyd K. Packer (1924–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared an experience from his youth that further illustrates the importance of listening to the Spirit. This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Enemy Territory
How can I come closer to having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost?
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said:
For many reasons, we need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We desire it, yet we know from experience that it is not easy to maintain. We each think, say, and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit. The Lord taught us that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when our hearts are full of charity and when virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly [see Doctrine and Covenants 121:45 ]. …
… The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend, you should do it. Whatever it is, do it. When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him.
As you obey, the impressions from the Spirit will come more frequently, becoming closer and closer to constant companionship.
(Henry B. Eyring, “The Holy Ghost as Your Companion,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 105)
In his talk “Receive the Holy Ghost” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 95–97), Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also shared his insights on how we invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
Receive the Holy Ghost
Supplemental Learning Activities
Recognizing the influence of the Holy Ghost may take time
Encourage students to be patient with themselves and not to give up as they learn to receive and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Invite students to read 3 Nephi 9:20 to see an example of faithful disciples who did not immediately recognize the full influence of the Holy Ghost in their lives. Then invite students to share what has helped them to begin to recognize it in their lives, including describing different ways they have felt the Holy Ghost influence them.
Possible reasons the Ephesian disciples were rebaptized
Invite students to read 3 Nephi 11:18–28, searching for what Jesus Christ taught about the requirements for a baptism to be acceptable to Him. Which of these requirements may have been missing from the Ephesians’ previous baptism? How does being baptized by proper authority prepare us to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?
Testify that God’s priesthood authority to baptize and give the gift of the Holy Ghost was restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith.