Cleveland County herald., 1921-07-21

GOLDEN TEXT-Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.-Matt 16:16.
 REFERENCE MATERIAL - Acts IS: A-2S
 PRIMARY TOPIC-saul Telling Others About Jesus. JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Winning Others to Jesus.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC Getting Ready for a New Career.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC Saul Begins His Ministry.
 !. Saul Preaching Christ in Damas- GUS (vv. 19b-22).
 After Saul was baptized he remained certain days with the believers in Da- mascus (v. 19b). 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.
 l. Straightway preaching in the syn agogue ty, 29.) Saul, like every one who is really converted, begins to tell of the newly found Savior. Every Chris tian should be taught that it is his business as soon as saved to help to save others
 2. The people amazed (v. 21). They knew that the very one who had been ringleader in prosecuting the Chris tians 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- mentIy sought to destroy.
 3. The Jews confounded (v. 22). Saul retired into Arabia for three years. During this time he was taught the full truth of his mission Gal. 1:17, 1S). Saul increased in spiritual strength and confounded 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- tion of Jesus exactly paralleled them. That Christ died and rose again from the dead, no one then could deny; the transformation of Saul from a hater to an ardent witness was a proof which could not be gainsaid.
 II. Saul Escapes From the Jews (vv. 23-25).
 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 a bas- ket by the wall.
 III. Saul Visits Jerusalem (vv. 26- 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 a place of distinction in the councils of the Jewish nation. Now he is an out cast, disowned by his countrymen, and fleeing for his life.
 l. Suspected by the disciples (v. 26). The believers at Jerusalem had not heard fully about Saul's con version. They knew nothing of his SO 1 journ in Arabia and his preaching al | 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 ot l honorable men," But 1t is infinitely better to be regarded with suspicion when genuinely true than to be trust ed as genuine when hypocrite.
 2. Barnabas' confidence in Sau (v. 2O. He was man filled witf the Holy Spirit tActs II :24); there fore, able to discern the reality o SauPs conversion. He was in reality "son of consolation" and in this instance showed his kindly spirit.
 g. Saul in fellowship with the disci pies (v. 2S). They went in and ou together. Peter received him into hi. home, since his object in going tt Jerusalem was to see Peter Gal. :1S) He abode with him 15 days.
 4 Saul disputing with the Grecian. (v. 29). He was not content to merely visit with the brethren; he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
 ". Saul Sent to Tarsus (vv 29b, 30).
 A conspiracy similar to the one al Damascus was formed against Saul | When the brethren knew of it they sent him to Tarsus. Sau's life is iT danger everywhere except among the Gentiies. He is now back to the place of his birth. The first and best place for ones testimony is in his home