Middletown transcript., 1921-07-16

REFERENCE MATERIAL-Acts 22:l
a.; 26:1-23
PRIMARY TOPIC-Learning to ODE,
Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Becomes Chris
Ian.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Pharisee Becomes a Christian.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| "A Study of PauPs Conversion.
!. SauI's Burning Hatred of Jesus
wv. ], y.
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
| .hrives 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 Saul's 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 %: and
Acts 26:1O-12). He obtained authority
from the chief priests to carry on this
murderous work.
u. Saul Kicking Against the Pricks
ivv. 3-9). The figure here is that Of
the eastern ox-drfver following the OK
with sharp iron fixed to the end
Of pole. The animal is prodded on
with this instrument and if it is re-
iron and Injuries itself. This is a
picture of Saul as he was madly fight
ing against Jesus.
!. 4 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, quickened
by the Holy Spirit as He used Ste
phen's testimony.
9. A voice from heaven wv. 4b. 81.
This was the Lords voice calling Saul
by name and asking, "Why persecutest
thou me!" This moved Saul to in
qure. "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 doY
(v. 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.
+. Saul entering Damascus (vv. 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 to de-
sire food. Doubtless in this time he
got hold of 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.
III. Ananias Sent to Saul wv. 10
19a).
Here appears upon the scene
hitherto unknown disciple.
1. Ananias' vision wv. 1O-12). In
this vision the Lord appeared and in
structed him to 60 to Saul. He gave
him the name of the street and Sauls
host, and Informed him that Saul was
now praying man and that he had
prepared Saul by the vision Tor the
coming of Ananias.
2 Ananias' fear and hesitancy wv.
1916. He knew of Saul's mission and
the authority by which he came. The
Lulu CuNOuldScu AiIII tO ~, dSSuIIIlS
him that Saul is no longer an enemy,
but chosen vessel to bear His name
.'efore the Gentiles, kings, and the
of Israel.
8. Ananias' obedience ". ~. His
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 a twofold
mission: (1) 'That thou mlglltrst
receive thy sight," (2) BE filled with
The Holy Spirit" He received sight
forthwith. 1t is not said as to whether
ne received the. Holy Ghost then, but
MS lfe's work proves that he did.
1. Saul baptized wv. IT, 19a). After
Saul received his sight Ananias bap
lied him. Since Ananias was not q
'hurch official it is clearly implied
hat official rank Is not necessary for
he administration of baptism. The
Lord bestows the gift of the Spirit
lpon whomsoever He will, and may
designate anyone, whether occupying
an official position or not, to lay
lands upon individuals. This is es-
,ecially significant since Saul's minis.
ry was to be entirely independent of
he other apostles.