Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-03-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON FOR MAR. rs
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Text of the Lesson, Acts TX, Ill, IT.
10. Memory Verses, IL, 18-Golden
Text Tim. l, 15-Commentary
Prepared by Rev. ID. M. Stearns.


Inc frst two verses OF our lesson
chapter describe Saul going on In the
same spirit as when he consented to
the murder OF Stephen and kept the
raiment OF those who stoned him. He
Is still breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples OF the
Lord (what horribly bad breath from
the pitt, and he is Endorsed by Israeps
high priest. who was professedly Gods
high priest The account of his zeal
for the devil is written In i've differ
ent places-in our lesson chapter and
In Acts xxi, XVI; Gal. and Tim 4.
He confessed that he was blasphemer
and prosecutor; that he was exceed
ingly mad against the saints. beyond
measure prosecuting the church OF
God, shutting up men and women In
prison and giving his voice against
them when they were put to death and
all the time thought that he was right
In thus opposing the teaching and the
followers of Jesus or Nazareth. He
was, as he afterward said. blinded by
the god OF this world and ignorant OF
his devices, and il was an exceeding
abundant grace that had mercy on
him and saved him I'll Cor. ii. II; iv, A.:
Tim. 4. l4l.
The day came when he reached the
limit, and Gods clock struck its mo
further" dob xxxviii. LII. He was not
at a preaching service nor under any
so called means OF grace. but on his
way TO imprison and kill more saints
and nearing his destination. many in
Damascus trembling IL they knew or
his coming. when suddenly. about
noon, he fell TO the earth because of
a light from heaven above the bright
ness OF the sun which shone upon him.
and he heard voice saying 10 him in
the Hebrew language. saul. Saul. why
persecutest thou me?' The people who
were with him saw the light, but did
not hear the words. He not only saw
and felt the light and heard the words.
but he saw the Lord Jesus verse la.
who thus condescended To appear to
him personally. as He will to the ma
ton at His coming in glory, for IL Is
written, They shall look upon me
whom they have pierced" and they
shall say, 10, this Is our God: we
have waited for Him. and He will save
u.s. Czech. xii. 10: Rev. 1. Z: lisa. XIV, ~.
To Saul's question. who art Thou,
LordT the answer came, Il am Jesus
of Nazareth. whom thou persecutest."
What an illustration OF the assurance
that believers are members OF His body
and that 10 touch one of His is as
touching the apple of His eye. lEph.
v, 80; Zech. ii. 81 Although Saurs nat
ural eyes were blinded by this great
light and he remained three days with
out sight, he received sight such as he
never had before. the eyes OF his I'M
Outstanding being enlightened. for the
light OF the knowledge'of the glory Of
God in the face OF Jesus Christ had
shone In Epk. /. Is; Ill Cor. iy, o.
From that hour he was born from
above, child of God, sinner saved,
a rebel surrendered. wholly submitted
to Jesus Christ risen from the dead
and assembled TO heaven. The glory OF
that light from heaven made him for
ever blind to all human greatness or
righteousness. and now to him to live
was Christ (Acts xii. IL; Phil. 1, 2D.
With trembling and establishment he
submissively said, Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do?' And thenceforth
Jesus Christ. What his communings
were those three days without sight
OF food or drink, and where he went to
in Arabia, and his experiences there
for three years (Acts TX, 8; Gal. 1, 1910
we may perhaps learn from his own
of-there was no one worth while to
him but Jesus Christ. How wonderful
are the words OF the Lord to Ananias
concerning him. He is chosen vessel
unto me, to bear my name, ." for
will shew him how great things he
must suffer for my names sake"
(verses 10. 16). Compare chapter xii,
14-16; XVI. 1918. and get a better
grasp OF his full commission.
Take to your own hearts, 0 fellow
believer, that these things were writ
ten for US and that we, too, may be
vessels unto honor, sanctifed and meet
for the Masters use. prepared unto
every good work Oh Tim. II, 2D. The
Lord had shown Saul, in a vision, dur
ing his blindness, man named An
anias coming in. and putting his hand
on him that he might receive his sight
(verse 12). and Ananias I'm person lit
orally fulfilled It. putting his hands on
him and saying. Brother Saul. the
Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto
thee In the way as thou earnest, hath
sent me that thou highest receive thy
sight and be filed with the Holy
Ghost" At once he received sight,
something like scales falling from his
eyes. He arose and was baptized, re-
ceived meat and was strengthened and