Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-03-31
LESSON FOR APRIL 2
CONVERSION OF PAUL.

and worthy of all acceptat1On, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners: of whom 1 am chief-1 Tim.
1:15 r. v.
No other man, save our Lord, has
made such an impress upon history
as the Jew of Tarsus.' Read care
fully and repeatedly Acts, chapters
1922. % and 26.
1. Saul the Man. ID Physically. We
Conybeare and others), but we know
from his labors that he was man
of tremendous vitality. Distant Da-
mascus knew of his work ". 13) and
he himself testifies as to his activities
(22: 3-26:1D. (2) ReliglousIy he be-
longed to the strictest of the strict,
the Pharisees (26: 5-9-11). His anger
at Jesus and the disciples was con-
suming passion; literally, he "breathed
threatening and slaughter" ". ~. 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. (3) Politi-
lcalIy Saul was perfectly legal in keep
ing the law and in his executions in
the name of the law. Doubtless
member of the Sanhedrim (26:10), his
hatred knew no pity; it included all
who believed in Jesus. az Mentally
this man transcends all who have ever
followed Jesus. A man of intense con-
victions, slave to a misdirected con-
science, a titan of gigantic force and
power once in the right channel
II. Saul Saved. % This man was
first humbled ". A.. God put forth
his hand to save the elect at Damas-
Gus, though he let Saul go long way
in his mad career. When he did act,
it was suddenly" and by means of
the glory of Christ's resurrection
". Z, l. Cor. 1879. Though it was
about noon," yet this glory outshone
the brightness of the Syrian sun
(ch. 26:13). Many who speak bold
blasphemous words would also be
cast down did they but really see his
glory. ~ Saul is not left thus strick-
en-, but it is called from above ". ..
| The question of Jesus ". A was a
most startling one and that, with the
answer to his honest inquiry, convict
ed him of what must have been lurk
| ing suspicion in his mind, viz: that he
was wrong and Jesus was truly the
| Messiah. Then follows the question
| of an humble man ". g. and the clear
| instructions as to his immediate con
duct.
III. Saul Sent. The first evidence
of the change wrought in Saul was:
| (1) 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 fol
meditation ". 81, and he made gooC
use of the time. (2) Praying ". ~
The result was (3) a vision ". Il,
(not only one, as there are others re
corded) which resulted in changed in
dividuals and nations. But his visio1
was (4) a thorough commission "
15). (a) to the kings,
OBJ Greeks-"Gentiles," and (c) Jew
children of Israel" Along with hi
vision and commission there was Civ
en- enabling power, the enduement o
the Spirit. The agent God chose TO
the bestowing was Ananias, not an OF
fetal, merely "a certain disciple.
The gift of the Spirit for power ant
service is not necessarily by the clay
ing on of hands" It came to MI
Moody as he walked the streets o
New York without earthly compar
ions. But the other conditions wer
fulfilled, a repentant, prayerful ma
and ready and obedient servant who
though filed with fear and protest (J
Is, 14) yet takes God at his wor
and goes at once to his task. AS W
read verses II and 1S we discove
that this special filing of the Spiri
was very evidently given to Saul bt
fore he received Christian baptism
read the order of events carefully
Gods gift or the Holy Spirit fC
testimony and service is not the PEE
quisite of the church, priesthood, nc
the result of any order of ceremon
/, followed by men. Jesus instruction
to Ananias were very simple an
plain; most of the great events the
have changed the courses of histor
have also been hinged upon like sin
pie actions. Ananias had no instru'
tions about the Holy Spirit, only to r,
store SauPs sight Much as he dreat
him, he salutes Saul as brother {
10 in the name of the Lord jesus
such is the only true brotherhoo
that stands the acid test of time an
usage. Jesus is, outside of the Go
pels (II. Cor. 5:16), always referred I
as Lord, and we do well to follow th
Bible example.
w. Saul Serving (D At Damascu
Saul is given refreshment (he alway
lays emphasis upon the body an
straightway began to testify to til
amazement of the people. From Ga
1:15, IT it is plain that he did M
-emain all of the time in the city, NJ
did he at once return to his friends
Jerusalem. This period is similar I
the hidden years at Nazareth" whic
our Lord spent ere he began his mi
istry.
1t was time of rest, refectio
analysis, meditation and formulate
Of his gospel (Rom. 3:19-2s).
(2) A. Jerusalem. His testimor
was distasteful at Damascus ". 1872;
and so he sought Jerusalem, only thel
also to find distrust and rejection.
Then Barnabas did a great wol
for the Kingdom by showing his brot
erly fellowship and trust and beco1
ing sponsor for him to the ear
church.
1t was not long ere he had to fl,
jerusalem and finally return to b
childhood home, Tarsus ". 81.
This is the greatest event in histo
since the life of our Lord.
Saul the Pharisee becomes a preac
er of the Cross, the Master Empil
Builder.
Let this lesson be trumpet call
4 the unconverted in your class al