The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1921-07-08

1OLDEN TEAT-ThiS is faithful say
ng. and worthy of all acceptation, that
Jesus came into the world to save sin
aers; of whom l am chief.-I Tim LIB.
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Acts 22:1-
u; 26:1-23
PRIMARY ToPIC-Learning to Obey
Tesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Becomes Chris
man,
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Pharisee Becomes a Christian.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A Study of Paul's Conversion.
!. SauI's Burning Hatred of Jesus
(vv. 1, q.
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
aever
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
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 and
Acts 2U:1O-12). He obtained authority
from the chief priests to carry on this
murderous work.
u. Saul Kicking Against the Prcks
(vv. 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 1t is re-
fractory it kicks against this sharp
iron and Injuries itself This is a
picture Of Saul as ne was madly fight
ing against Jesus.
l. 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 accumulated
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 (vv. 4b, 81.
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, II 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?"
". 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 wv. 7-9).
The naughty prosecutor goes quite
humbly into Damascus led by his
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 too
deep in meditation and prayer to de-
sire food Doubtless in this time he
got hold of the truths which he later
to the world; for his con-
version was the basal fact Of his
theology.
III. Ananias Sent to Saul (vv. 10
19a).
Here appears upon the scene
unknown disciple.
1. Ananias' vision wv. 10-12). In
this vision the Lord appeared and in
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 |
Saul by the vision for the
coming of Ananias.
2. Ananias' fear and hesitancy wv. |
1870. He knew of Saul's mission and
he authority by which he came. The
Lord encouraged him to go, assuring
him that Saul is no longer an enemy,
)ut a chosen vessel to bear His name
before the Gentiles, kings. and the
children of Israel.
8. Ananias' obedience ". 10. His
ears being removed, Ananias went to
he house where Saul was staying,
,ut his hands on him and affection
lteIy addressed him as brother" The
avage prosecutor is now a brother in
Christ. He Informed Saul that the
Lord had sent him with twofold
mission: 1) "That thou highest
eceive thy sight," (2) BE filled with
he Holy Spirit" He received sight
orthwith. 1t is not said as to whether
Ie received the Holy Ghost then, but
lis life's work pGves that he did.