The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1918-08-24
The Problem, of
Leadership
(By Apostle Willis F. Jordan)
ARTICLE Ill
PAUL, A GENERAL OVERSEER
l. How He Became Such
l. How He Became Such
His first mention in history. - Acts 8 10

that time there was great persecution against the
church which at Jerusalem; and they were all
scattered abroad throughout the regions OF Juoea
and Samaria, except the apostles.
And devout men carried Stephen to his BURIAL
and made great lamentation over him.
AS for Saul, he made havocK OF the chufcn' entel
ing into every house. and haling men and women
committed them to prison.
He was a great prosecutor of the church, and
first appears upon the scene in connection with
the martyrdom Of Stephen.
g This martyrdom had much to do IN bring
ing about Saul conversion to Jesus the christ
He never forgot Stephens death - Acts ~:
10, 20:
And said Lord they know that imprisoned and
heat in every synagogue them that believed on Thee:
And when the blood of Thy martyr Stephen was
she'd | also was standing by, and conserving unto
his death, and kept the raiment OF them that slew
him.
3. Who was he? We are told nothing about
his parents and family connections. All we
know is that he was a jew born in the city OF
Tarsus. and that his father In some way, had
obtained Roman citizenship, so that Paul was a
free-born Roman citizen. Acts ~ 25-29:
And as thew bound him with thongs Paul said
unto the centurion that stood by Is it lawful for you
to scourge that is Roman, and uncon-
demned?
When the centurion heard that, he went and told
the chief captain saying, Take heed what thou do
est: for this man is a Roman. .
Then the chief captain came, and said unto him.
Tell me, art thou Roman? He said, YEA
And the chief captain answered, With great sum
obtained this freedom. And Paul said But was
free born. 49,
Then straightway they departed from him which
should have examined him: and the chief captain
also was afraid after he knew that he was Roman
and because he had bound him.
4. His conversion to Christ is recorded IN
Acts the Ninth Twenty-second and Twenty
sixth Chapters. It is referred to IN other places
in the New Testament. 1t was one OF the most
notable conversions in the history OF the cross,
and it was complete thorough, radical ana
revolutionary. His entire career and destiny
were changed thereby He refers to it and him
self in Corinthians 15:8-"As one born Ere
generated, not 'out Of as in the A.V., but) be-
fore the due time when he, as an lsraelite with
his nation, should be saved. That time is at the
Revelation at the end of the last seven years
His conversion was supernatural miraculous,
sudden and by the Revelation OF Jesus out OF
the opened heavens So Israels will be. Paul
calls his conversion pattern after which his
nation s will be fashioned at the sudden appear
inc of the Christ and His kingdom. - Ii Tim
othy 4 L.
Timothy Is, 16:
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all &C
ceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to
save sinners; of whom am chief
HoWbet for this cause obtained mercy, that III
me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long
suffering for pattern to them which should here
after believe Him to life everlasting.
5. What Paul thought before his conversion
= Acts 26:9-11:
I verify thought with myself that ought to do
MANY things contrary to the Name of Jesus OF
Nazareth.
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many
ontc shu t in received
authority from the chief priests; and when tney
were put to death, gave my voice against them
compelled them to blaspheme and being exceeding
ly mad against them, prosecuted them even unto
strange cities.
Acts 81, 2:
And Saul. yet breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went
unto the high priest, .
And desired of him letters to Damascus TO the
synagogues, that if he found any OF this way
whether they were men or women, he might prlng
them bound unto Jerusalem
6. Following his conversion he had to make
restitution move onto Straight Street = be-
fore the Lord would have much confidence IN
him, or men either.
Acts 9:6, 10, II:
And he trembling and astonished said Lord. what
wilt thou have to do? And the Lord said unto
him. Arise and into the city, and it shall be tolo
thee what thou must do.
And there certain disciple at Damascus,
named Ananias and to him said the Lord In a
vision Ananas And he said, Behold, am here,
Lord.
And the Lord said unto him. Arise and go into
the street which is called Straight, and enquire in
the house of Judas for one called SAUL of Tarsus:
for, behold, he prayeth.
II. From Straight Street God Called
Him to the Apostleship