The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-03-30

NO other man, save our Lord ha
made such an impress upon histor,
as the Jew Of Tarsus." Read care
ousay ono al and repeatedly Acts. chapterl
1922. 20 and 26.
l. Saul tho Man. (1) Physically. w,
know but little Of Saul (see Ramsey
Conyoeare and others), but we know
from his labors that he was man
or tremendous vitality. Distant Da
.nascus Knew Of his work ". 13) and
ne himself testifies as to his activities
lzz:3'26:1D. (2) Rellgiously he be.
Z ionged 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" ". ~. In
all his violence he was conscientious.
put yet he was awfully and terribly
wrong, and what Is more, his actions
were not alone against the disciples
but against Jesus (v. s.. (3) PoIiti.
ca''y Saul was perfectly legal in keen.
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
VINO believed I'm Jesus. (4) Mentally
this man transcends all who have ever
followed Jesus. A man OF intense con-
Vlct1ons, slave to misdirected con-
science, titan Of gigantic force and
power once In the right channel.
H. Saul Saved. 81 This man was
Hrst humbled (v- ~. God put forth
Ills hand to save the elect at Damas-
Gus, though he let Saul go long way
= sas mad career. When he did act.
1t was suddenly" and by means of
the glory Of Christ's resurrection
". z, 1. Cor 1879. Though # was
ABOUT noon" yet this glory outshone
the brightness Of the Syrian sun
Ten. 2e:1S}. Many who speak bold
plasphemous words would also be
cast down did they but really see his
glory. f2) Saul fs not left thus strfck-
en-, but tt fs called from above (v. 50.
The question of Jesus ". 4)twas a
most startling one and that, with tho
answer to his honest inquiry, convict
ed him of what must have been lurk
ing suspicion in his nTind, vtz..: that he
was wrong and Jesus was truly the
Messiah
III. Saul Sent. The first evidence
or the change wrought In Saul was:
tD Obedience (v. g.. His companions
heard but did not understand. There
is no contradiction w. z, Acts 22:9).
as thTs is the translation used else
where. Saul fs given three days for
meditation (v. 81, and he made good
use of the time. f2) Praying (v. ~.
The result was co. a, vision {v. 1a)
tnot only one, as there are others re-
corded) which resulted In changed in
divfduals and nations. But his vision
was (4C thorough commission fv.
1b). (af to the Romans Kings"
(b} Greeks-"G "Gentiles,'- and (c) Jews
-'chifdren Of Israeli" Along with his
vision and commissions there was Civ
en- enabling power, the enduement Of
the Spirit. The agent God chose for
the bestowtng was Ananfas, not an of.
ficial, merely "a certain disciple"
The gift Of the Spirit for power and
service is not necessarily by the clay
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, repentant, prayerful man
and ready and ohedfent servant who.
though filled with fear and protest ".
13, 14) yet takes God at his word
and goes at once to his task. AS we
read verses II and 18 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.
w. Saul Serving Cd 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
1916, II 1t is 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 began his min.
istry.
1t was a time Of rest, reflection,
analysis, meditation and formulation
of his gospel" (Rom. 3:19-2s).
(2) At Jerusalem. His testimony
was distasteful at Damascus ". 23-25)
and so he sought Jerusalem, only there
also to find distrust and rejection.
Then Barnabas did great work
Tor the Kingdom by showing his broth.
erly Fellowship and trust and becom.
ing sponsor for him to the early
church.
1t was not long ere he had to flee
Jerusalem and finally return to his
childhood home, Tarsus (v. 31).
Z Saul the Pharlsee becomes preach.
er OF the Cross, the Master Empire.
Builder,