Cleveland County herald., 1921-07-14

GOLDEN TEXT-ThiS is faithful say- ing. and worthy fof all acceptation, that Jesus came into the world to save sin ners; of whom I am chief.-I Tim. 1:15.
 REFERENCE MATERIAL-Acts 22:1- 2; 26:1-23.
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Leaming to Obey Jesus.
 JUNIOR ToPIC-saul Becomes a Chris tian.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC The Pharisee Becomes q Christian.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC A Study of Paul's Conversion.
 |. SaaI's Burning Hatred of Jesus (vv. l, ?.
 Saul knew full well that unless the movement set on foot by Jesus was stopped it would supersede Judaism, but he was. entirely ignorant of the genius of Christianity. Christianity thrives on persecution. Prosperity may ruin the church, but persecution never.
 The noble display of faith by Stephen in sealing his testimony with his blood did not soften Sauls spirit, but rather intensified his hatred for Jesus and His disciples. It made him more determined than ever to stamp out this Nazarene heresy. The in- tensity of his madness and the extent of its operations are best set forth in his own words (see Acts %: and Acts 26:1012) He obtained authority from the chief priests to carry on this murderous work.
 II. Saul Kicking Against the Pricks tvv. 3-9). The figure here is that of the eastern ox-driver following the OK with sharp iron fixed to the end of pole. The animal is prodded on with this instrument and if it is rA- fractory it kicks against this sharp iron and injures itself. This is a picture of Saul as he was madly fight | ing against Jesus.
 l. A light from heaven (yy. 8, 4a). The time had come for the Lord to interfere. Saul is stricken with blindness and falls to the earth. This physical demonstration accentuated the workings of his conscience which doubtless were going on, quickened | by the Holy Spirit as He used Ste | pnen s testimony.
 9 A voice from heaven (vv. Alb, 5. | This was the Lords voice calling Saul | by name and asking, "Why persecutest thou me?'' This moved Saul to in | quire, "Who art thou, Lord" The answer came, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest," as if to say persecution of the church is persecution of Jesus
 3. What wilt thou have me to do?' 1 (v. 6)). The dictator is now willing to be dictated to. The Lord told him to go into the city where information would be given him as to what he must do.
 4 Saul entering Damascus (vv. 7-9). The naughty persecutor goes quite humbly into Damascus led by his attendants. For the space of three days he remained in blindness and fasting. What went on in his soul in those days no mortal can know, but we may be assured that he, like 1 the Lord in the wilderness, was too deep in meditation and prayer to de- sire food. Doubtless in this time he got hold of the truths which he later l version was the basal fact of his theology.
 III. Ananias Sent to Saul (vv. 10- 19a).
 Here appears upon the scene | hitherto unknown disciple. 1. Ananias' vision (vv. 10-12). In | this vision the Lord appeared and in- structed him to go to Saul. He gave | him the name of the street and Saufs | host, and informed him that Saul was now a praying man and that he had prepared Saul by the vision for the coming of Ananas.
 2. Ananias' fear and hesitancy (vv. 13-1e). He knew of Sauls mission and the authority by which he came The Lord encouraged him to go, assuring him that Saul is no longer an enemy, but a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings. and the | children of Israel.
 3. Ananias' obedience (v. ID. His fears being removed, Ananias went to | the house where Saul was staying, put his hands on him and affection ateIy addressed him as brother" The savage persecutor is now brother in Christ. He informed Saul that the Lord had sent him with a twofold mission: Q) That thou mig'htest receive thy sight," (2) Be filled with the Holy Spirit" He received sight | forthwith. It is not said as to whether he received the Holy Ghost then, but his life's work proves that he did.
 1. Saul baptized (vv. IS, l9a), After Saul received his sight Ananias bap- | tized him!