The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1902-04-03
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL &.
Subject: Saul OF Tarsus Converted, Acts
tx, 1-2O-Golden Text: Acts ill.,, 49,
Memory Verses, 3-5-Commentary on
the DAYS Lesson.

Memory Verses, 3-6-CohnehIary o
the Days Lesson.
l. "And." "But."-R. V. The "but'
marks the contrast between the mission
airy zeal of Philip, and the, prosecuting
zeal of Saul. One is infiamed by natTed,
the other. inspired by love. saul. Inc
same as mentioned in the story OF Stephen.
His name in Hebrew was Saul, his Roman
name was Paul. yet" Up to this mo-
ment his blind, prosecuting rage against
the disciples of the Lord burned as herceiy
as ever. Breathing out threatenlngs.,
Persisted in prosecuting the disciples with
increasing violence, as If he could not
breathe without uttering threatenlngs
against them, or would, if able, have slam
them with the breath of his lips. Unto
the high priest" Being a jealous volun-
teer in the service he devised plans tor
fully DISCRIMINATING the religion OF Jesus,
and was ready to carry them into eXecu-
ton to the utmost of his ability"
2. Damascus" This is the Oldest city
in the world situated about one hundred
and forty miles northeast of Jerusalem
81; at midday (chap. &c: 49,, when the
sun was shining so there could be no de.
ception. Light" 1t was "above the
brightness of the sun" Chap. %: 10. 1t
was in the midst of this glory that Christ
was seen by Saul Il Cor. Is: g. so that he
could enumerate himself among those
who had beheld the Lord after His resur-
rection.
4. Eel to the earth" The whole COM
panv fell to the earth Chap. %: IA.
Heard voice" In the Hebrew tongue.
The voice was clear and distinct to Saul,
but to those with him it was only mys'
terious sound. (See on V. ~. why per-
secutest thou Me-" Canst thou give any
good reason for it? Must afresh be cru
cited by thee? Those who prosecute the
saints prosecute Christ Himself, and He
takes what is done against them as done
unto Himself.
5. "Who art Thou?" Jesus knew Saul
before Saul knew Jesus. Lord" Used to
denote respect for some unknown august
person. 81 am Jesus" He takes the name
which was the object of Jewish hate.
Thy enmity is against Me and My religion.
He whom you prosecute is the Lord of life
and glory, not simply poor, fugitive dlscl,
PIES ct is hard" etc. This clause and
the first part of V. are omitted from the
Revised Version. but they belong to the
account for Paul himself utters them in
chap. 26 ID 'Kck against the pricks."
Or goads; as stubborn oxen did, thus
wounding themselves the more deeply.
6. Trembling" etc. A true description
81 sinner who sees the wickedness of his
heart what wilt Thou" etc. Convinced
tnaJ he ndQ peTSeCuIeu SuIiSt, anu Iudt
his religious views and character were
wrong, he submits himself to the will OF
Him who had arrested him in his blind
career, with the consent that he would
be obedient to all His directions. Arise"
Until now he had continued PROSTATE on
the ground. GO" Into Damascus, to be
instructed by one whom he was on his way
to destroy.
7. Hearing a voice" In chap. %: 9 we
are told that those with Paul "heard not
the words" What is meant is clearly that
they did not hear the words as words
could attach no meaning to the sound.
We say that a voice is not heard, or that
we do not hear him, when, though we hear
his voice, he speaks so low or indistinctly
that we do not understand him.
8. Saw no man. Saw nothing" R.
had made him totally blind. This blind
ness was, no doubt, mercifully intended by
Providence to give him an opportunity
to attend to the great matter of his souls
salvation.
O. Neither did eat" etc. The mental
anga7h for for Tin time 0verp0weFed f3s natural
this man except what we find r. lesson
and in chap. %: p. He was devout
man, in good report among the Jews, was
in communication with the brethren at
Jerusalem, and was trusted by them. In
vision" Saul was prepared for the visit
by a vision, and by vision Ananias is
II. Straight" Main thoroughfare OF
Damascus; so-called from its running in
gate 1t was mile long, hundred feet
wide, and divided by Corinthian columns
into three avenues. He prayeth."
breathing out" no longer ''threatenings
and slaughter" but struggling desires after
life and light in the prosecuted One.
l3. "Have heard etc. This hesitancy
on the part of Ananias to visit Saul does
not prove that he was either fearful or in
clined to disobedience. He was merely ex-
ercsing due care; he desired to be sure
about the matter. "Thy saints" The
Christian converts were probably called
Saints" that is, "holy persons" at
very early period after the death of Christ
because Of the marvellous outpourings OF
the Spirit upon the first converts.
10. Go" This brief. expressive word
of the Lord ~ demands implicit obedi.
ence, 81 puts the doubts of weak faith
to shame, go contains a promise OF the
Lords aid and blessing. "a chosen
sell" One whom in view of his fitness -
a man, Jesus had chosen for a great mis-.
sion. This, however, implies neither any
impossibility that he would disobey His
call. nor any eternal predestlnatlon to sal
walton. God chose and appointed Saul be-
cause Saul chose the Lord.
l6 He must suffer" Compare PauPs
own words in chap. 20: %. See also chap
IA: 10; Cor. H. 1928.
IT, "Ananias went" How beautifully
childlike is the obedience of Ananias to
the heavenly vision. Brother Saul"
Knowing that the Lord had chosen Saul
to a sacred office, Ananias felt great re.
spect for him and an interest in his saliva
ton.
IS. GAS it had been scales" There is q
difference of opinion as to whether literal
scales fell from his eye. There is no ques.
ton, however, but that the restoration Of
his sight was supernatural. The nature OF
the injury we cannot determine, but it i,
certain that the recovery was instanta'
neous and complete. "Arose-baptized
From this we see that he was Immediately
baptized before he had received meat
49, Meat" Food. Certain days"
How long is not known. 1t might have
been for some months, as he did not go tc
Jerualsem until three years from this
time. He remained some time at Damas,
Gus, then went to Arabia and returned
! al L..