The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-04-06
Sunday Study
THE WORK OF SAIL.

The International Sunday school lesson
for April will be found in Acts tx, 1-2Q
The golden text is Acts ill.,, 10. The les
son Is devoted to the career of one who
afterwards became a great leader and
follower of Christ. Saul yet breathing
out threatenings and slaughter against
the disciples Of the Lord Sauls very
life seemed to be to hate Christ and
Christians. and yet The time came when
ne could truly say, For me to live is
Christ" Our first Introduction to him
IS IN Acts vii, So; viii !. 3, in connection
with the death Of Stephen and the per-
secution following. which at this time
was still going on.
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?"
Thus spoke Jesus to this active worker
against the Christians. Though it was
midday, this light with the word from
heaven was above the brightness of the
sun, and Saul could not see for the glory
Of that light.
cine Lord said, 1 am Jesus wkora
thou .persecutest." Saul recognizes a su-
perior and asks: "Who art Thou, Lord p
The answer fills him with trembling and
astonishmeEt. for Jesus Of Nazareth is
actually speaking to him. Seeing Him 10
be indeed the Christ the Messiah, whom
the prophets had foretold, he at once
acknowledges Him IS Lord and meekly
asks what he is now to do.
He was three days without sight and
neither did eat nor drink " The men who
were with him fell to the earth. seeing
the light and being afraid. They also
but did not understand the words fog
those were for Saul only. 1t was some
what like the experience of Daniel and
OF our Lord as recorded in Daniel x
Whar JESUS said to Saul as lie COM
named him TO rise and stand upon his
Ieet IS fully stated in PaupS testimony
before Agrippa in Acts XVI. 1918.
Inquire in the house of Judas for one
called Saul Of Tarsus, for, behold he
prayeth Thus spoke Jesus to Ananias.
a deVout disciple and one who had a
good report OF all the Jews at Damas-
Gus. He, like Philip in a previous les
son, IS prompt and obadient, one on whom
the Lord could rely to do His bidding
These three days find Saul and his Lord
IN intimate communionT Saul talks with
the Lord, and the Lord in vision reveals
Himself more fully to Saul. From Christ
by revelation Saul received the gospel
and from Him also all his future in
Struction.
He is Il CHOSEN vessel unto Me to
bear Ny name" Anarias thinks of Saul's
reputation and authority and his mad
ness against Christians. The Lord gra-
Clously bears with Ananias in his objec-
lions, but repeats His command to go
and assures him that Saul is to be His
special messenger to the gentiles. Saul
IS not only chosen to bear the name or
Christ, but also to suffer for faithful
ness 10 Christ and suffering for His sake
are inseparably connected in all the his
tory Of the rise of Christianity from that
day 20 this
Receive thy sight and be filed with
the Holy Ghost"
Thus said Ananias to Saul as, having
found him just where the Lord said he
would, he put his hands upon him and
told of the Lords commission. He re-
celVed sight, both natural and spiritual
confessed Christ in baptism, took food
for the body and was strengthened. and
forthwith began preaching in the syna-
gogues that Jesus of Nazareth is the
Christ. the Son of God Old things are
passed things hpcnma NAV
the Spirit has clothed Himself with Saul,
and now henceforth he does but one
thing, and works for but one Master, and
for Him is ready to lay down his life