The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-07-16


ners. OF whom l am chlef.-I Tim. l.Is
REFERENCE MATEKIAL--Acts 2I-
Il. 26:l-23
PRIMARY ToPIC-Learnus to Obey
Jesus.
JUNIOR ToPIC-saul Becomes a Chris
tan
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Pharisee Becomes - christian
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A Study of Pauls Conversion.
|. SauPs Burning Hatred of Jesus
wv. l, y.
! 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,
thriyeS on persecution. Prosperity mavl
ruin the church, but persecution
never. -S~F
The noble display Of faith nv
Stephen in sealing his testimony with
his blood did not soften Saurs spirit.
but rather intensified his hatred for
Jesus and His disciples. II 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 %: 4 und
Acts 26 :10-12) He obtained authority
from the chief priests TO carry on this
murderOus work.
u. Saul Kicking Against the Preks
wv. 800. The figure here is that OF
the eastern Ox-driver following the OK
with a sharp iron fixed TO the end
Of pole. The animal is Ryodqse on
with this instrument and m.itsis re-
fractory it kicks againstr this sharp
iron and Injuries itself. This is a
picture of Saul as he was mady fight.
ing against Jesus.
/. A light frors heaven tvv.-3. 4a).
{ The time had come for the Ford
j to interfere. Saul is stricken with
blindness and falls to the earth. This
l. physical demonstration accentuated
= the workings of his conscience which
doubtless were going on. Quickened
8 by the Holy Spirit as He used Ste
phen's testimony.
e 9. A voice from heaven wv. Al o..
k This was the Lords voice caliinS Sau
If by name and asking, "Why persecuteS
4. thou me?" This moved Saul 10 IN
D. ouire. "Who art thou, LordT Inc
IS answer came. 81 am Jesus whom thou
IS persecutest," as II. TO say persecution
of the church is persecution OF Jesus.
r. Christ is so closely identified with De
n. levers that He feels their sunerihgs
Is and regards treatment OF them ~
e. treatment of himself.
N 3. "What wilt thou have me TO dof
le ". 6)). The dictator is now Wiling u
no dictated to. The Lord told MN u
90 into the city where informauoi
would be given him as TO what N
, must do.
:. 4. Saul entering Damascus wv. I-s)
a The naughty prosecutor goes quiz
~ humbly into Damascus nd by oil
Nj attendants. For the space of thret
III davs he remained in blindpess am
nc fasting. What went on In his SOD
ed in those days no mortal cSn know
rs but we may be assured That he Tx
nu the Lord in the wilderness yTaS 10
deep in meditation and -prayerto ~
: .,re food. Doubtless in this time 81
cot hold of the truths which he iate
re proclaimed TO the world; for his con
-ty version was the basal fact OF ~
in. theology. In these awful days ~
ed whole soul and being we're being IL
ny organized by Jesus Christ. :,
m. Ananjas Sent to Saul wv. "
19a).
Here appears upon the scene
hitherto unknown disciple.
/ Ananias' vision wv. lO-lZ).
This vision the Lord appeared anu
structed him to go to Saul. ne s"'
him tho name of the street ana Sau'
~ host. and Informed him that saui W
now a praying man and that ne ns -
nrenored Saul by the vision ior u
coming of Ananias. TO-
per Apanias' fear and hesitancs "
has 1a.16, He knew Of Saul's mission a.
to the authority by when ne caine. =,
Lord encouraged him to go, assu,'.
him that Saul is no longer an eiie''
but a chosen vessel to bear dis Ia :,
90, before the Gentiles. kings, anu
- children of Israel. =
oa 2. Ananias' obedience ". h'' :
fears being removed. Ananlas wen.
.ne the house where Saul was STAY.
ana mt his hands on him and aneu,s =
atelv addressed him as "brother.
savage prosecutor is now pro'ue'
Christ. He Informed saul Una.
mis-, Lord had sent him with va" ..s
and mission. az "That thou migi".
hau receive thy sight," GU BE lls' i,
S l. the Holy Spirit" He receiver ~
forthwith. 1t is not said as " ,
he received the Holy Ghost 'he ~
his life's work proves that ne ''s "A
ding /. Saul baptized wv. Is r'a,. :,
over Soul received his sight Anaiiia' :,
the fixed him. Since Ananias was III =.
esia, church official 1t is clearly -"
seen that official rank is not necess
the administration of bap'is" en-
Lord bestows the gift OF 'ie Z
upon whomsoeycr He WILL any,
has designate anyone, whether occup'
pctor an official position or not
, Bu. hands upon individuals. ln,s nh
ham neciallv significant since Sau' ,.,,
try was to be entirely lhuep