Acts 22–23, 26–28
The Lord Is with Paul
While in chains and surrounded by Jews who wanted to kill him, Paul stood on the steps of the Antonia Fortress in Jerusalem and boldly testified of his conversion to Jesus Christ. After Paul was imprisoned, the Savior visited him and promised that Paul would testify of Him in Rome. Paul later experienced many trials that made this promise seem unlikely to be fulfilled. This lesson provides an overview for Acts 22–23, 26–28 and is intended to increase your confidence that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will fulfill Their promises as you strive to serve Them.
Sharing experiences. Ask questions that invite students to reflect on spiritual experiences related to the truths being taught. As students share their experiences, they can feel the importance of that truth and strengthen their desire to live it more faithfully.
Student preparation: Invite students to ponder promises the Lord has made to them. For example, they could contemplate promises in the sacrament prayers (see Moroni 4:3; 5:2) or in other scriptures. Students who have received their patriarchal blessings could read them and look for promises from the Lord. Remind students that patriarchal blessings are individual and sacred and should not be shared with class members.
Possible Learning Activities
Whom do you trust?
Display the following prompts and invite students to respond in their study journals before they share their responses with the class.
Whom would you trust to do the following and why?
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Choose what you wear
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Choose where you live
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Always keep their promises
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Stay with you in difficult times
Answer the following questions:
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Which of these matters most to you? Why?
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How does it help you to have people in your life that you can trust?
Take a moment to contemplate how much you trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Do you believe They will keep Their promises to you? Do you believe They will be with you during difficult times? Would you trust Them enough to let Them guide you each day? Why or why not? As you study this lesson, look for accounts that can help you increase your confidence that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will fulfill Their promises as you strive to serve Them.
Paul returns to Jerusalem
After his third missionary journey, Paul returned to Jerusalem to testify of Christ. He was dragged from the temple by a group of Jews who wanted to kill him but was rescued by Roman soldiers. He was taken to the steps of the Antonia Fortress and allowed to speak (see Acts 21). Paul testified about his conversion to Jesus Christ and of the Savior’s instruction to preach to the Gentiles. The Jews were again enraged, and Paul was sent back to the fortress for his safety (see Acts 22; 23:1–10).
Read Acts 23:11, and look for what the Savior said and did for Paul. In addition, you could also watch the video “Be of Good Cheer” (1:32), which can be found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
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What can we learn about the Savior from what He said and did in this verse?
Students may identify truths such as the following: He knows us by name. He comforts and encourages us. He is with us during our challenges.
Consider inviting students to reflect on their own experiences by using the following question.
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When has the Savior demonstrated one of these truths in your life or the life of someone you know?
If students need help thinking of experiences, consider sharing a personal experience or an example in the scriptures that illustrates these truths, such as Joseph Smith’s First Vision (see Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20).
The Savior’s promises
Paul’s experience is one example of the Savior fulfilling His promise to be with the Apostles as they preached the gospel (see Matthew 28:19–20).
In your study journal, create a chart like the one below. Throughout this lesson, list the Lord’s promises on the left side of the chart and the fulfillment of those promises on the right.
Consider drawing the chart on the board and filling it out as a class. Invite students to create the chart in their journals as well.
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Promises |
Fulfillment of promises |
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Promises Jesus would be with the Apostles as they preached the gospel (see Matthew 28:19–20). Paul would testify in Rome (see Acts 23:11). | Fulfillment of promises Jesus came to Paul in the fortress after Paul had preached (see Acts 23:11). |
The Savior made additional promises to His Apostles.
Read Matthew 10:18–20 and Mark 16:17–18. Identify the Savior’s promises, and write them in the left column of your chart.
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What do these promises teach you about Jesus Christ?
Paul continues testifying of Christ
Read through the following summaries, and ponder how you would feel if you were in Paul’s situation. Then read the verses listed after each situation to see how Paul acted and how the Lord’s promises were fulfilled. Add the fulfilled promises you find to the right side of the chart in your study journal.
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Paul was put on trial before Roman governors and kings; Acts 26:1–2, 22–23.
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Paul was sent on a ship to Rome but was caught in a terrible storm that threatened to sink them; Acts 27:22, 25, 41, 44.
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Paul was stranded on an island where he was bitten by a snake; Acts 28:4–6.
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Paul finally arrived in Rome; Acts 28:16, 30–31.
You will learn more about these accounts in future lessons.
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What promises did you see fulfilled?
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Why does it matter to you that Jesus Christ fulfills His promises?
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How does knowing that the Savior keeps His promises influence your feelings towards Him and your desire to listen to and follow Him?
Although God invites us to strive to serve Him, He does not expect that we be perfect before He will fulfill His promises to us. Even though Paul experienced many challenges (see 2 Corinthians 11:23–27) and was not perfect (see 1 Timothy 1:15), God still fulfilled His promises to Paul.
Promises fulfilled in your life
Think about the promises that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have made to you.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
All of the exceeding great and precious promises Heavenly Father offers to His children cannot be counted or described comprehensively. However, even [a] partial list of promised blessings … should cause each of us to “stand all amazed” and “fall down and worship the Father” in the name of Jesus Christ.
(David A. Bednar, “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 91)
The following resources contain promises that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have made to us.
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For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (booklet, 2022)
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Your patriarchal blessing (if you have received it)
Choose some of these resources to study. As you identify promises, add them to the left side of the chart in your study journal.
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What do these promises teach you about the Savior’s desires for you?
Look at the list of promises you identified. Seek the influence of the Holy Ghost as you ponder how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ may have fulfilled those promises in your life. In the right column of the chart in your study journal, add a short description of how They fulfilled one of more of those promises or any additional promises you think of. For example, feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost can be a fulfillment of the promises made in the sacrament prayers (see Moroni 4:3; 5:2). You could also write how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ fulfilled Their promises to someone you know.
Ponder how these examples can increase your confidence that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will fulfill Their promises in the future.
Give students sufficient time to complete their charts. Invite them to share personal experiences or testimonies that have increased their confidence that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ fulfill Their promises.
Commentary and Background Information
Why should we put our trust in the Lord?
Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy explained:
Brothers and sisters, we can have the faith to trust Him! He wants what is best for us (see Moses 1:39). He will answer our prayers (see Doctrine and Covenants 112:10). He will keep His promises (see Doctrine and Covenants 1:38). He has the power to keep those promises (see Alma 37:16). He knows everything! And most important, He knows what is best (see Isaiah 55:8–9).
(Stanley G. Ellis, “Do We Trust Him? Hard is Good,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 114)
Why would I want to strive to serve God?
Sister Elaine L. Jack, former Relief Society General President, explained:
As a young mother I remember saying to my youngest son, Gordon, when he fell from his bike and faced not only skinned knees but the loss of confidence as well, “I’m right here.” I would say as I put my arms around him to comfort him, “I’m right here.” Doesn’t that remind us of the Lord, who is with us always? (see Matthew 28:20) He’s not just at church, in the temple, or when we kneel at our bed. He’s “right here” when we live by his teachings.
(Elaine L. Jack, “Ponder the Path of Thy Feet,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 1993, 100)
Acts 23:11. The Lord knew Paul’s sacrifices and trials and was with Him. Will He do the same for me?
Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency taught:
I testify you are beloved. The Lord knows how hard you are trying. You are making progress. Keep going. He sees all your hidden sacrifices and counts them to your good and the good of those you love. Your work is not in vain. You are not alone. His very name, Emmanuel, means “God with us.” He is surely with you.
(Sharon Eubank, “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 75–76)
How can I better understand the events in Acts 22–23, 26–28?
Watch the video “Chapter 63: Paul Finishes His Mission” (2:32), which can be found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Supplemental Learning Activities
Paul as a type of Christ
As students overview the storyline of Acts 22–23, 26–28, consider inviting them to search for ways that Paul is like Christ. Consider ways to help them see how both Paul and Jesus Christ were falsely accused and performed miracles. Students could then discuss how Paul’s experiences helped him to become more like the Savior.
Ammon and the Sons of Mosiah
Consider comparing the experiences of the sons of Mosiah with Paul’s experiences and the Lord’s fulfilled promises. Students could read Mosiah 28:6–8 and find the Lord’s promise. Invite students to search for how the Lord fulfilled His promises as they watch some or all of the video “Ammon Serves and Teaches King Lamoni: Alma 17–19” (23:04) which can be found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.