Middletown transcript., 1921-07-23

the Son OF the living GOO-Mdtt. io.i'. 80
REFERENCE MATER1A - acts ID:
N-2S
PRIMARY TOPIC-saul Telling others
About Jesus.
JUNIOR TOPIC-saul Winning Others
to Jesus.
INTERMEDIATE AND, SENIOR TOPlC
Getting Ready for New Career
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT IoPle
Saul Begins His Ministry.
|. Saul Preaching Christ in Camas-
Gus wv. 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 ", 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 10
save others. Saul was dead in earn
est in his preaching. His message con-
cerned the Deity Of Christ. His doc
t1inal belief is summed up in six
words: HE is the Son of God.
,. Tile people amazed (v. 2D. They
| knew that the very one who had been
| rincleader 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 passionateiy adVo-
eating that which he had so vehe-
lnently sought to destroy.
s. 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. IL,
1S). Saul increased in spiritual
strength and confounded the Jews,
proving that Jesus was not only TIE
Son Of God, but their Messiah. His
proof, no doubt. was by citation from
the Gid Testament prophecies, show
| ing that the life, death and reSurrec-
ton of Jesus exactly para!leled them.
That Christ died and rose again from
the dead, no one then could deny; the
transformation of Saul from il hater
to an ardent witness WAS proof
which could not be gainSaid.
II. Saul Escapes From the Jews
wv. o3-2O.
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
low they might destroy Saul. SO in,
tent were they upon killing him tlla,
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 ut night in bas
ket by the wall.
III, Saul Visits Jerusalem wv. 2G
29a).
This journey to Jerusalem was in
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
place of distinction in the councils d
the Jewish nation. Now he is an out
cast. disowned by his countrymen, ant
fleeing for his life. Though these are
his outward circumstances, he knows
the fellowship of the Lord Jesus whom
he once hated.
| hr a
". 26). The believers at Jerusalem
had not heard fully about Saul's con
version They knew nothing Of his so
journ in Arabia and his preaching Al
Damascus after his return, so they re
garded him as spy. Part OF tht
penalty of wrong doing is the difficult!
Of restoration in the good opinion O
honorable men," But it is infinitely
better to be regarded with suspicion
when genuinely true than to be trust
ed as genuine when a hXpocrite.
2. Barnabas confidence in Sau
(v. 2D. He was Il man filled Will
the Eoy Spirit (Acts IL :24); there
fore. able to discern the reality o
Saul's conversion. He was in realit!
ii "sOn of consolation and in thi:
instance showed his kindly spirit.
3. Saul in fellowship with the disci
pies (v. 2S). They went in and on
together Peter received him into hi:
. home. since his object in going t
Jerusalem was to see Peter (Gal. 1 :lS)
He abode with him Is days.
, +. Saul disputing with the Grecian
, ". BOY He was not content to merel.
visit with the brethren; he spOk'
boldly in the name Of the Lord Jcsu
Christ.
w. Saul Sent to Tarsus wv
29b, 3O.
conspiracy similar to the one a
Damascus was formed against Saul
! When the brethren knew Of it the.
J sent him to Tarsus. Saul's life is il
$ danger everywhere except among tn
Gentiles. He is now back to the plac
Of his birth. The first and best plac
for ones testimony is in lis home
Saul's conversion is typical of the con
! version of the Jewish nation. Thei
eyes will be opened by persona
revelation Of Jesus Christ to them, AM
when they accept Him as their SaviO
, and Messiah they will go forth a
witnesses to the Gentiles. This trutl
is set forth in Romans II and Revela
tions and many Old Testamen
D prophecies.
Thank God.
Thank God every morning when yo,
8 get up that you have something to d
that day which must be done whethe