Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-07-15

ihg' and worthy OF all acceptation, that
Jesus came into the world to save sin
hers. OF whom ! am chef.--I Tim. lib.
REFERENCE MATERIAL--Acts Psi
q; 28:l-23.
PRIMARY ToPIc-Learning to Obey
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToP1c-saul Becomes a Chris.
tan.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Tho Pharisee Becomes a Christian.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A Study Of PGul's Conversion,
]. SauPs Burning Hatred Of Jesus
wv. !, y.
Saul knew full we'll 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.
/ The noble display of faith by
Stephen In sealing his testimony with
his blood did not soften Saul's spirit,
but rather intensified his hatred for
Jesus and His disciples. 1t made him
more determined than ever to stamp
out this Nazarene heresy. The In
tenslty Of his madness and the extent
Of Its operations are best set forth in
his own words (see Acts %: 4 and
Acts 26:10-l2). He obtained authority
from the chief priests to carry on this
murderous work.
u. Saul Kicking Against the Pricks
wv. 3-9). The figure here is thai 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 II 1t is re-
fractory 1t kicks against this sharp
iron and Injuries itself. This Is
picture Of Saul ms he was madly fight
Ing against Jesus.
!. A light from heaven wv. 3, 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
phen's testimony.
2. A voice from heaven wv. 4b, 81.
This was the Lords voice calling Saul
by name and asking, ''Why persecutest
thou me?" This moved Saul to In
qulre, "Who art thou. Lord?" The
answer came, ~ am Jesus whom thou
persecutest," as II to say persecution
Of the church is persecution of Jesus.
Christ ID so closely identified with be-
levers that He feels their sufferings
and regards treatment Of them as
treatment Of himself.
3. "What wilt thou have me to do7"
". 6)). The dictator Is now willing to
be dictated to. The Lord told him to
60 into the city where information
would be given him as to what he
must do.
4. Saul entering Damascus wv. TOY.
The naughty prosecutor 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
the Lord In the wilderness, was toN
deep In meditation and prayer to de-
sire food. Doubtless In this time he
got hold Of the truths which he later
proclaimed to the world; for his con-
version was the basal fact Of his
theology. In these awful days his
whole soul and being were being re-
organized by Jesus Christ.
~. Ananlas Sent to Saul wv. 10
19a).
Here appears upon the scene
hitherto unknown disciple.
/. Ananlas' vision wv. 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 Saul's
host, and Informed him that Saul was
now a praying man and that he had
prepared Saul by the vision for the
coming Of Ananias.
Q. Ananlas' fear and hesitancy wv.
1916. 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,
but a chosen vessel to bear His name
before the Gentiles, kings. and the
children Of Israel.
8. Ananias' obedience ". ~. His
fears being removed. Ananias went to
he house where Saul was staying,
put his hands on him and affection
ately addressed him as "brother." The
savage prosecutor Is now brother In
Christ. He Informed Saul that the
Lord had sent him with q twofold
"a "That thou highest
receive thy sight" (2) BE filled with
he Holy Spirit" He received sight
forthwith. II is not said as to whether
ne received the Holy Ghost then, but
1is lIfe's work proves that he did
/. Saul baptized wv. Is, 19a). After
Saul received his sight Ananlas bap-
.ized him. Since Ananlas was not a
,hurch official 1t is clearly implied
hat official rank is not necessary for
he administration of baptism. The
Lord bestows the gift of the Spirit
Upon whomsoever He will, and may
designate anyone, whether occupying
an official position or not, to lay
hands upon individuals. This Is es-
pecially significant since Saul's minis
Try was to be entirely independent of
The other apostles.
Teaching Of Jesus.
WNN