Thinking about why Paul went to the synagogues first. The Jews were the covenant people, and I remembered this quote from Pres. Nelson in the Liahona Oct. 22: “Because God has hesed for those who have covenanted with Him, He will love them. He will continue to work with them and offer them opportunities to change. He will forgive them when they repent. And should they stray, He will help them find their way back to Him. … Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us.” (The Everlasting Covenant)
I love sister Susan Black. I had her for several church history classes in 2004. She’s such a bright light in this world. She’s inspired my lifelong love for our church history and the gospel.
Regarding the damsel with the evil spirit: perhaps Paul cast out the evil spirit because he saw the real young woman underneath it who was probably being exploited by those men. He freed her. Rather than being an act of exasperation, it may have been an act of compassion.
Thanks for these beautiful lessons. I keep seeing in the books of act This them. When the holy ghost came upon them, they spakenin tougues. Is speaking in tongues, a sign that we have received the Holy ghost.
I always thought they silenced the woman"testifying" of Christ because everyone knew she was a soothsayer... having an evil source. It would kind of be like Charles Mansion broadcasting for people to listen to the missionaries. People would question the truth based on the source.
I agree. And the Holy Ghost isn't going to work with such a woman. So, just as Christ forbade the evil spirits to testify of Him, so Paul stops the testifying of the evil spirit.
12:44 - "For Lydia, we know that she was a businesswoman! And she wasn't just the housewife in the home or a mother or anything else, she's a businesswoman!" You know, it's hard enough hearing these kinds of disparaging comments towards motherhood and stay-at-home moms from people outside the Church, but hearing it from a respected Church scholar is so much harder.
Your point is well taken. However, I wonder if perhaps they meant it as a reflection of the attitudes of the day rather than a reflection of what they themselves actually believe.
The evil spirit in the girl spoke truth, but the manner of outspoken delivery would paint a wild or crazy picture to investigators of true believers in Christ. He will keep His message pure and untarnished so most people can feel or reason out the missionarys' message.
