The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-10-25

Ab1AD44'US GNN LIE UHAA
S.-Acts *: I-lS.-The Lesson
M-Aots xxi 1-2l.-A parallel account
2-Acts XVI l-20.-AHOtter account
W.-Gal i-AR apostle not of man.
from. vii.-The concerts struggle
E-Num. xxii.-AR eaenlyQf Israel met IN the
S-Acts <: 1-sa.%Rtsr seatto Corne7ias.
INTRODUCTORY.
SauIs native city, Tarsus in CiiOia. was
celebrated for its classical schools. His IA
miiarity with Greek literature gives good
ground for the belief, that he ayailed him
self of the advantages of these schools in his
early education. His religious training,
however, he received from the celebrated
Jewish Rabbi, GsmaEel, xxi 8 already
mentioned in this history, ": S4.) Yet his
bigotry and partisan zeal stands in marked
contrast with the moderation of his great
preceptor. The account of his persecution
in the first part of the last chapter, was In
terrupted by the narrative of Philip and the
Ethiopian, which implies that this occurred
whilst his prosecutions we're going on. The
recital of his assaults upon the Christian
Church is here renewed.
NOTEs ON THE LESSON.
The prosecutor commissioned, vs.. 1, 2.
V. 1. "Saul, yet breathing out" &c.
"Yet" expresses continuation of his per-
secutions through and after the events re-
corded in the last chapter. Breathing out
threatening and slaughter" is a strong ex-
preston, showing the spirit of this young
zealOt, who "made havoc Of the church, "
(Vin: 8. Being known at Jerusalem, and
having the countenance of the Sanhedrim,
he did not need commission of work of
destruction there; but now that ne proposed
to go to p ''strsnge city," be asked an official
commission from the high priest, as president
of the council.
V. 2. Damascus is situated about 80
miles northeast from Jerusalem, in plain
of extreme fertility and beauty, about 80
miles in diameter, the surrounding region
being an arid waste. 1t is one Of the eldest,
if not the very oldest city in the world,
(Gen. xiv: Is, XIV: q IfGaza, mentioned
in the last lesson, equals it in age, (Gen. !:
49, it by no means equals it in fame. Da-
mascus, (" the eye of the East has been con-
nected with the history of almost every ia
nous oriental empire and commander Saul
asked for letters to "the synagogues of
this city. This implies the presence of many
Jews there. Being city Of great inland
trade between the east and west, over the
caravan routes that centred there, Jews had
gathered to this city as to other commercial
centres. Josephus says 10000 Jews we're
put to death in Damascus in the reign Of
Nero. The Christians in Damascus, We may
suppose, consisted of some of those converted
at Penteeost, and those who had believed
through their preaching, and of others who
had sought this refuge during the present
persecution. Men and women are mentioned
here and in viii 8, to show the bitterness of
SauPs prosecuting spirit; neither sex was
spared.
Jesus meets him ga the rag, vs.. SO.
V. 8. Paul and bis companions were near
the city of Damascus, where they were sud.
denly arrested by this glorious vision. 1t
was about midday, and the light that shone
from heaven was ga great light, " "abOve
the brightness of the sun, xxi: 6, XVI: Is J
v. 4. From the other accounts of this
event, which should be carefully compared,
We learn that Sauls companions, as we'll as
himself, fell to the ground, at seeing the
brilliant light that came suddenly upon them.
Painters portray them as falling from horse
back; and this is consistent with the Ian
guage here used, though not implied in it. A
voice addressed them in Hebrew, "Saul,
Saul, why perseeutest thou me?" The his
tOrian preserves the Hebrew form of his
name here, instead of the Greek form, which
he commonly employs, The repetition of
the name conveys the idea of earnestness.-I
The rebuke of Jesus to Saul is tender in its
form, being question of appeal, why this
course? And he presents in it very pre-
oious Christian doctrine, the unity of Christ
and his people. Prosecuting believers was
prosecuting Himself. SIN as much as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these
my brethren, ye have done it unto me" We
are therefore not surprised to find Paul dwell.
ling upon this doctrine in his Epistlos, rom.
xii: 5, Cor. K: II, xii: 1927, Eph. i:
%, v: so, Col. i: "A, il: 49,
V. 5. Saul's reply, "who art thou, Lord ?"
implies that he regarded the person address
ing him, as a Divine, or at least a superhu-
man being. The Lord, who was thus ad-
dressed, replied, 81 am Jesus whom thou
perseeutest. 1t is hsrd for thee to kick
against ths pricks." The latter is proven
bal expression found in Greek writings. The