Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1921-07-15

Jesus came into the world to save sin
ners: of whom am chief.-I Tim 1:B.
REFERENCE MATERIAL--Acts zs:l-sn
"a; 2s:1-23.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Learning TO Obey
Jesus. .4hH atH sFsi Ut bHs ~ a.
JUNIOR roPIc-sau Becomes chrs-
tan.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Pharisee Becomes Christian sltt
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A Study OF Paurs Conversion.
Ni5Ni --th 80 ltiis Duti
!. sauPs Burning Hatred Of Jesus
wv. l, p. ----
Saul knew full well that unless the
movement set on foot by Jesus was
stopped 1t 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. b aa..Hga aaaa 8as :. 4.s
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. 1t made him
| huuAC 0Ch~A nbaGA thdh CftA " otaAtR
out this Nazarene heresy. The in
tensity Of his madness and the extent
] Of its operations are best set forth In
his own words tsee Acts %: 4 and
Acts 26:10-12). He obtained sNhority
from the chief priests, to carry on this
murderous work
n. Saul Kicking Against the Pricks
(vv. y-g). The figure here is that OF
the eastern ox-driver following the OK
with sharp iron fixed to the. end
Of q pole. The animal is prodded on
with this Instrument and IL 1t is re-
fractory It kicks against this sharp
iron and Injuries itself. This Is .
4 picture Of Saul M heRwUs nazsiiJ b lfgtzt-
| ing against Jesus. 4
/. A light from heaven (vv. 3, 4a).
The time had come for the Lord
! to interfere. Saul is stricken with
blindness and fails 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
phen's testimony.
II N tOANC llOn tCuFCn wv 1O.s Oys
This was the Lords voice calling Saul
by name and asking, "Why persecutest
thou me?" This moved Saul to In
quire. "Who art thou, Lordf" The
answer came. 81 am Jesus whom thou
persecutest," as If to say persecution
Of the church Is persecution of Jesus.
8. What wilt thou have me to dor
| sxv vba L..
be dictated to. The Lord told him to
60 into the city where information
would be given him as to what ne
must do. ii,9 f, 6.ll ~
4. Saul entering Damascus (vv., I'D
The naughty prosecutor goes quite
humbly into Damascus led by his
attendants. For the space of three
fasting. What went on In his soul
In those days no mortal can know,
but we may be assured that he. like
: the Lord in the wilderness, was too
4 deep In meditation and prayer to de-
i sire food. Doubtless. in this time he
got hold of the truths which be later
proclaimed TO the world; for his con-
NcIsiOu Wds luc uaSoi ioSs VI 'hS
theology.
III. Ananiss Sent to Saul tvv. 10
i 19a). M s ss
4 Here appears upon the scene q
hitherto unknown disciple. .., sl..
1. Ananias vision (vv. 1922. In
this vision the Lord appeared and In
structed him to 60 TO Saul. He gave
! him the name of the street and SauIs
host, and Informed him that Saul was
now praying man and that he had
: prepared Saul by the vision for the
coming of Ananias- se 4Fsh nie
4 2. Ananias' fear and hesitancy tvv.
13-16). He knew Of Saul's mission and
the authority by which he came. The
Lord encouraged him to go. assuring
him that Saul is no longer an enemy.
I but a chosen vessel to bear His name
before the Gentiles, kings. and the
+ children of Israel. A tsA -
8. Ananias' obedience (v., IT'D. His
fears being removed. Ananias went to
the house where Saul was staying.
put his hands on him and Affection
ately addressed him as ''brotherr The
savage prosecutor IL now brother In
Christ. He Informed Saul that tho
4 Lord had sent him with twofold
mission: (ll That thou ndghtest
receive thy sight" (2) BE 9lled with
the Holy Spirit" He received sight
| forthwith. It 10 not said AZ to whether
De received the Holy Ghost then. but
his lIfe's work proves that he did. z
l. saul baptized wv. ~. l9al. After