The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-03-31
LESSON FOR APRIL 2
CONVERSION OF PAUL.

1.1S X. ".
No other man, save our Lord, has
made such an impress upon history
as the Jew of rarsus." Read care
fully and repeatedly Acts, chapters
9:22. % and &c.
1. Saul the Man. C1) Physically. We
know but little OF Saul (see Ramsey.
Conybeare and others). but we know
from his labors that he was a man
of tremendous vitality. Distant Da-
mascus knew Of his work (v. 49, and
he himself testif1es as to his activities
(~22:3-26:11). ca R%eIieiousIy he be-
longed to the ~strictest Of the strict.
the Pharisees (26: 5-9-11). His anger
at Jesus and the disciples was a con-
Stunning passion; literally. he "breathed
threatening and slaughter ". ID. In
all his violence he was conscientious.
but yet he was awfully and terribly
wrong. and what Is more. his actions
were not alone against the disciples
but against Jesus ". 81. go Poiiti-
caiIy Saul was perfectly legal in keep
ing the law and in his executions in
the name of the law. Doubtless a
member Of the Sanhedrim (26:1O). his
hatred knew no pity; it included all
who believed in Jesus. ca Mentally
this man transcends all who have ever
followed Jesus. A man of intense con-
victions, a slave to a misdirected con-
science. a titan Of gigantic force and
power once in the right channel.
II. Saul Saved. Q) This man was
first humbled ". A.. God put forth
his hand to save the elect at Damas-
Gus, though he let Saul go a long way
in his mad career. When he did act.
1t was suddenly" and by means OF
the glory of Christ's resurrection
". z, 1. Cor. 1879. Though 1t was
about noon," yet this glory outshone
the brightness Of the Syrian SUN
tch. 26:13). Many who speak bold
blasphemous words would also be-
cast down did they but really see his
glory. (2) Saul is not left thus strick-
en-, but it is called from above ". D.
The question Of Jesus ". ~ was a
most startling one and that, with the
answer to his honest inquiry, convict
ed him: of what must have been a Turk
Ing suspicion in his mind, viz: that he
was wrong and Jesus was truly the
Messiah. Then follows the question
of an humble man (v. g. and the clear
instructions as to his immediate con-
duct.
III. Saul Sent. The first evidence
of the change wrought in Saul was:j
% Obedience ". 81. His companions
heard but did not understand. There
is no contradiction ". z, Acts 22:9),
as this is the translation used else
where. Saul is given three days for
meditation (v. 81, and he made good
use of the time. (2) Praying ". ID
The result was ca a vision ". 12)i
(not only one, as there are others re-
corded) which resulted in changed in
dividuals and nations. But his vision
was (4) a thorough commission ".
15). (a) to the Romans-"kings,"
(b) Greeks-"Gentiles," and (c) Jews
-"children of Israel" Along with his
vision and commission there was CIV
en- enabling power, the enduement of
the Spirit. The agent God chose for
the bestowing was Ananias, not an Of
fetal, merely "a certain disciple"
The gift of the Spirit for power and
service is not necessarily by h lay
ing on of hands" 1t came to Mr..
Moody as he walked the streets of
New York without earthly compan-
ions. But the other conditions were
fulfilled, a repentant, ~prayerful man
and a ready and obedient servant who,
though filled with fear and protest w.
Is, 14) yet takes God at his word
and goes at once to his task. AS we
read verses II and 1S we discover,
that this special filling Of the Spirit
was very evidently given to Saul be-
fore he received Christian baptism
read the order Of events carefully
Gods gift Or the Holy Spirit for
testimony and service is not the per-
quisite of the church. priesthood. nor
the result Of any order Of ceremony
followed by men. Jesus instructions
to Ananias were very simple and
plain; most of the great events that
have changed the courses of history
have also been hinged upon like SIM
PIE actions. Ananias had nc instruc-
tons about the Holy Spirit, only to re-
store Sau1's sight. Mucha as he dread
him, he salutes Saul as brother" ".
10 in the name of the Lord jesus
such Is the only true brotherhood
that stands the acid test of time and
usage. Jesus is, outside of the Cos
pels (II. Cor. $40, always referred to
as Lord, and we do we'll to follow the
Bible example.
~. Saul Serving % At Damascus.
Saul is given refreshment .(he always
lays emphasis upon the body and
straightway began to testify to the
amazement Of the people. From Gal.
1915. II 1t lie plain that he did not
remain all Of the time in the city, nor
did he at once return to his friends in
Jerusalem. This period is similar to
the hidden years at Nazareth" which
our Lord spent ere he begsn his min
istry.
It was a time Of rest, reflection.
analysis, meditation and formulation
Of his gospel" (Rom. 3:19-28).
(2) At Jerusalem. His testimony
was distasteful at Damascus ". 23-25l'
and SO he sought Jerusalem, only there
also to find distrust and rejection.
Then Barnabas did a great work
for the Kingdom by showing his BROTH