New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-07-15

PRIMARY TOPIC-Learning to Obey
Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-saul Becomes a Chris
tan.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Pharisee Becomes a Christian.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A Study of Paul's Conversion.
!. SauIs Burning Hatred Of jesus
(vv. 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
ruin the church. but persecution
never.
The noble display of faith by
Stephen In sealing his testimony with
bis blood did not soften Saul's spirit,
hut 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 26 :10-12). 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 that OF
the eastern oX-driver following the OK
with n charm iron AyaI m thn anH
Of a pole. The animal Is prOdded on
with this instrument and IL 1t is re-
fractOry 1t kicks against this sharp
iron and Injuries itself. This is a
picture of Saul as 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, Q%uickened
by the Holy Spirit as He used Ste
phen's testimony.
.. A voice from heaven wv. 4b. 81.
This was the Lords voice calling Saul
by name and asking, "Why p%ersecutest
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.
Christ is 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 dor
". 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.
T.. Saul entering Damascus wv. 7-0).
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 IN 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 IF 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.
~. Ananias Sent to Saul (vv. 10
l0a).
Here appears upon the scene a
hitherto unknown disciple.
l. Ananias' vision wv. 10-12). In
this vision the Lord appeared and in
structed him to 20 to Saul. lie gave
him the name of the street and Sauls
host, and Informed him that Saul was
now n praying man and that he had
prepared Saul by the vision for the
coming of Ananias.
.. Ananias' fear and hesitancy wv.
1910. lie knew Of Saul's mission and
the authority by which he anne The
Lord encouraged him to go, assuring
him that Saul is no longer an enemy,
bur n chosen vessel to bear His name
before the Gentiles, kings. and the
children Of Israel.
3. Ananias' obedience ". III. His
fears being removed. Ananias went to
the house where Saul was staying,
put his hands on him and affection
ntely addressed him as brother" The
savag prosecutor Is now a brother In
He Informed Saul that the
Lord had sent him with a twofold
mission: % THAT thou highest
thy sight" CD BE filed with
the Holy Spirit" He received sight
II is not said as to whether
he received the Holy Ghost then, but
his life's work proves hat he did.
L. Saul baptized tvv. IL, 1YaD. After
Saul received his sight Ananias bap-
tized him. Since Ananlas was not a
off.ial IL is clearly implied
that olic'si fnnk Is not necessary for
the administration of baptism. The
Lord bestows the gift of the Spirit
whomsoever He will, and may
designate anyone. whether occupying
official position or not. to lay
hands upon individuals. This Is es-
significant since Saul's minis
~ uas fo no apfiroIv ipdepandopf NJ