The Dolores star., 1921-07-15
i.-Saui's Burning Hatred Of Jesu.

! wv. !, p.
| 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 hntred 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 20 6:l0-12) 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 a sharp iron fixed to the end
of a pole. The animal is prodded on
with this instrument and If 1t 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.
!. \ 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
| nhrsi,.nl a 4
the workings Of his conscience which
doubtless were going on. quickened
by the Holy Spirit as He used Ste
| phen's testimony.
. a voice from heaven wv. Al. 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. ~ am Jesus whom thou
persccutest," as If to say persecution
of the church Is persecution of Jesus
3. what wilt thou have me to do?'
". G). The dictator Is now willing to
he dictated to. The Lord told him to
go into the city where information
w"uid be given him as to what he
must do.
!. 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 he 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.
III. Ananias Sent to Saul wv. 10
l9a).
Here appears upon the scene a
hitherto unknown disciple.
|. Ananias' vision wv. 1O-12), In
This vision the Lord appeared and in.
structed him TO go to Saul. lie 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 for the
coming Of Ananias.
2. Ananias' fear and hesitancy wv
1870. 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
bur chosen vessel to bear His name
before the Gentiles. kings. and the
children Of Israel
3. Ananias obedience ". 1D. His
fears being removed Ananias wenr tc
the house where Saul was stayine
put his hands on MIN and affection
ately addressed him as brother" The
savage persecutor is now a brother In
Christ. He informed Saul that the
Lord. had sent him with a twofoIt
mission % "That thou mightrst
receive thy sight" t2) BE filed witt
the Holy Spirit" He received sigh
forthwith. II is not said as to whethe,
he received the Holy Ghost then, bul
his life's work proves that he did.
l. Saul baptized (vv. IL. lya). After
Sanl received his sight Ananias han