Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-07-22

JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Winning others
to Jesus
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Getting Ready for New Career.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT ToPlC
Saul Begins His Ministry.
I. Saul Preaching Christ In Damas-
Gus wv. 19b-22).
After Saul was baptized he remained
certain days with the believers In Da-
mascus ". lob. How beautiful to
think OF the transformation which
took place !--one who was so passion
ately bent on the destruction Of the
disciples was now enjoying fellowship
with them.
/. Straightway preaching In the syn
agogue ", ~ Saul. like every one
who is really converted, begins to tell
of the newly found Savior. Every Chris
tian should be taught that 1t Is his
business as soon as saved to help to
save others. Saul was dead In earn
est In his preaching. His message con-
cerned the Deity of Christ. His doc.
trinal belief is summed up In six
words: "He Is the Son Of God"
2. The people amazed ". 21). They
knew that the very one who had been
ringleader In prosecuting the Chris
tlans in Jerusalem and had come to
Damascus for the express purpose Of
bringing them bound to the chief
priests, was now passionately advo-
eating that which he had so vehe-
mently sought TO destroy.
8. The Jews COMPOUNDED ". 22). Saul
retired into Arabia for three years.
During this time he was taught the
full truth of his mission (Gal. lit,
ls). Saul increased In spiritual
strength and COMPOUNDED the Jews,
proving that Jesus was not only the
Son of God, but their Messiah. His
proof, no doubt, was by citation from
the Old Testament prophecies, show
ing that the life, death and resurrec-
ton of Jesus exactly paralleled them.
That Christ died and rose again from
the dead, no one then could deny; the
transformation Of Saul from hater
TO an ardent witness was proof
which could not be galnsaid.
II. Saul Escapes From the Jews
wv. 1920.
He used the Scriptures with such
skill that the Jews could not answer
him. Finding that the argument was
against them, the Jews took counsel
how they might destroy Saul. SO In
tent were they upon killing him that
they watched the gates of the city day
and night that they might take him.
When this was known to the disciples
they let him down at night in bas-
ket by the wall.
III. Saul Visits jerusalem wv. 20
29a).
This journey to Jerusalem was In
strange contrast with the one from
Jerusalem TO Damascus. The one
was the leader of an important expe-
dition under the authority Of the jew
ish officers with the prospect Of
place of distinction In the councils Of
the Jewish nation. Now he is an out
cast dlsowned by his countrymen, and
fleeing for his life. Though these are
his outward circumstances, he knows
The fellowship of the Lord Jesus whom
he once hated.
!. Suspected by the disciples
". 26). The believers at Jerusalem
had not heard fully about Saul's con-
version. They knew nothing Of his so
journ In Arabia and his preaching at
Damascus after his return. SO they re-
garded him as a spy. Part Of the
penalty of wrong-doing Is the difficulty
of restoration In the good opinion Of
honorable men," But 1t Is Infinitely
better TO be regarded with suspicion
when genuinely true than to be trust
ed as genuine when a hypocrite.
2. Barnabas' confidence In Saul
". 27). He was a man filled with
the Holy Spirit (Acts IL :24): there
fore, able to discern the reality Of
Saul's conversion. He was In reality
q "son OF consolation" and In this
Instance showed his kindly spirit.
8. Saul In fellowship with the disci-
Piles ". 2S). They went in and out !
together. Peter received him into his
home, since lbs object In going to
Jerusalem was to see Peter (Gal. :l8).
He abode with him 10 days.
4. Saul disputing with the Grecians
". 29l. He was not content to merely
visit with the brethren: he spoke
boldly In the name Of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
Nv. saul Sent to Tarsus wv.
Job, 30).
A conspiracy similar to the one at |
was formed against Saul.
When the brethren knew OF It they |
sent him 10 Tarsus. saul's life Is 10 |
danger everywhere except among the
Gentiles. He Ii now back to the place
Of his birth. The first and best place
for ones testimony Is In lis home.
sauls conversion Il typical Of the con-
version OF the Jewish nation. Their
ewes win be opened BY a personal
revelation Of Jesus Christ to them, and
when they accept Him AZ their Savior
and Messiah they viii 90 forth as
witnesses to the Gentiles. This truth
4 sef forth In Romans II and Revela-
ITEMS 7 and many Old Testament |