Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-07-14
LESSON FOR JULY II
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL.

LESSON TEXT-Acts 9:119a.
GOLDEN TEXT-This is a faithful say
ing, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Jesus came into the world to save sin
ners; of whom l am chief.-l Tim. l:l5
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Acts 22:1-
q; 26:I-23
PRIMARY ToPIC-Learning to Obey
Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Becomes 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. 1, p.
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
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 :10-12). he obtained authority
from the chief priests to carry on this
murderous work
II. Saul Kicking Against the Pricka
(vv. 3-9). The figure here is that Of
the eastern OX-driver following the OK
with a sharp iron fixed to the end
of a pole. The animal is prodded on
with this instrument and if it is re-
fractory it kicks against this sharp
iron and Injuries itself. This is a
picture of Saul as he was madly fight
| ing against Jesus.
| 1. 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, duickened
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.
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 doT'
". 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 (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 toe
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 (vv. 10
19a).
Here appears upon the scene a
hitherto unknown disciple.
l. Ananias' vision (vv. 1O-12). In
this vision the Lord appeared and in.
structed him to go to Saul. He gave
him the name of the street and Sauls
host, and informed him that Saul was
now a praying man and that he had
prepared Saul by the vision for the
coming of Ananias.
2. Ananias' fear and hesitancy (vv
13-16). He knew of Sauls mission and
the authority by which he came. The
Lord encouraged him TO go, assuring
him that Saul is no longer an enemy
but chosen vessel to bear His name
before the Gentiles, kings, and the
children of Israel.
3. Ananias' obedience ". I'D. His
fears being removed, Ananias went to
the house where Saul was staying,
put his hands on him and affection.
ateIy addressed him as brother" The
savage prosecutor is now a brother In
Christ. He informed Saul that the
Lord had sent him with a twofold
mission: ~ "That thou mightest
receive thy sight," (2) "Be filled with
the Holy Spirit" He received sight
forthwith. 1t is not said as to whether
he received the Holy Ghost then, but
his lifes work proves that he did.
1. Saul baptized (vv. IL, 19a). After
Saul received his sight Ananias bap
tiZed him. Since Ananias was not a
church official it is clearly implied
that official rank is not necessary fol-
the administration of baptism. The
Lord bestows the gift of the Spirit
upon whomsoever He will, and may
designate anyone, whether occupying
an official position or not, to lay
hands upon individuals. This is es
pecially significant since SauPs minis
try was to be entirely Independent OF
the other apostles.
Teaching of Jesus.
The teaching of Jesus is revolution