The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-07-07

nefs, OF whom | am chief.-I Tim LIS
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Aet. al.
n. S:l-22
PRIMARY ToPIC-I~arning to Obey
Jesus
JUNIOR ToPIC-saul BECOMES a Chris.
tan.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Pharisee becomes . Christian
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
"A study OF Paurs Conversion.
!. saups Burning Hatred Of Jesus
wv. l. -.
Saul knew full well that unless the
movement set on foot by Jesus was
stopped II 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 Saurs spirit
but rather intensified his hatred for
Jesus and Ills disciples. II made him
more determined than ever TO stamp
out this Nazarenc heresy. The In
tensity Of his madness aud the extent
OF It's operations are best set forth In
his own words (see Acts -: and
Acts - :lOl2) lie obtained authority
from the chief priests to carry on this
murderouS work
n. Saul Kicking Against the Prieks
tyy. 3yD. The hgure here II that of
the, eastern oH-driver following the or
with II sharp iron fixed TO the end
Of a pole. The animal Is prodded on
with this instrument and II Il Is re
frnctory Il kicks against this sharp
Iron and Injuries Itself This is a
picture Of Saul as he was madly fight.
Ing against Jesus.
!. A Hight from heaven (vv. 3, 4a)
The time had come for the Lord
10 interfere. Saul Is stricken with
blindness and falls 20 the earth. This
physical demonstration accumulated
the workings OF his conscience which
doubtless were going on. qulckened
by the Holy Spirit as lie used Ste.
phen's testimony.
.. A voice from heaven wv. N. ~.
This was the Lords voice calling Saul
by name and asking. "Why persecutcst
thou mei" This moved Saul 10 In
qulre. "Who art thou. Lordf" The
answer came II am Jesus whom thou
perSecutest," ms II 90 say persecution
OF the church Is persecution of Jesus
3. "What wilt thou have me 10 do5'
". G)D. The dictator Is now willing Ia
be dictated Co. The Lord told him 10
20 Into the city where Information
would he given him as 10 what he
must do.
T. Saul entering damascus wv. 7-9)
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 too
deep In meditation and prayer 10 de
sire food. Doubtless In this time he
got hold Of the truths which he later
version was the basal fact Of his
theology.
~. AnanIas Sent to Saul wv. 10
l4n).
Here appears upon the scene
hitherto unknown disciple.
I. Ananias' vision wv. 1922. In
this vision the Lord appeared and In
structed him 10 20 To Saul. lie gave
him the name OF the street aud Saufs
host, and Informed him that Saul was
now praying man and that he had
prepared Saul by the vision for the
coming Of Ananias.
2 Ananlas' fear and hesitancy tvv.
1870 Tie knew OF Sauls mission and
V the authority by which he came. The
Lord encouraged him 10 go. assuring
him that Saul Is no longer an enemy,
but chosen vessel TO bear His name
before the Gentiles. kings. and the
children ~ Israel.
3. Ananlas' obedience ". I'D. Ills
fears being removed, Ananias went To
the 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 twofold
mission: uD That thou mig1trst
receive thy sight" co. Re filled with
the Holy Spirit" He received sight
forthwith. u is not said as TO whether
he received the Holy Ghost then, but
his life's work proves that he did
i. Saul baptized (vy. IL, hal. After
Saul received his sight Ananias hap
fizab him