Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-05-21
SAUL BEGINS HIS GREAT CAREER


LESSON TEXT-Acts s:2O-SI
GOLDEN TEXT-'I determined not
20 know anything among you, save
Jesus Christ. and Him crucihed"--I
Cor. 2:2
PRIMARY ToPIC-How God Saved
Saul From Danger.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Preaching in
Damascus
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Saul Bold Preacher.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Courage in Witnessing for Christ
I. Saul Preached Christ IN Damas-
Gus wv. 1922.
/. SauIs Fellowship With the Dis
ciples ". 49,.
After Saul was baptized he remained
certain days with the believers in Da-
mascus ". 19). How beautiful to think
of the Transformation which took
place-the one who was so passionate
~ bent on their destruction was now
enjoying fellowship with the disciples.
2. Straightway Preaching in the
Synagogues ". 20).
Saul, like every one who is really
converted, begins to tell of the newly
found Savior. AS soon as he is saved
he goes to save others. His message
concerned the deity of Christ. His
doctrinal belief is summed up in six
words, HE is the Son of God'
3. The People Amazed ". Ply.
They knew that the very one who
had been the ringleader in prosecuting
the Christians in Jerusalem, and had
come to Damascus for the express pur-
pose of bringing them bound to the
chief priests, was now passionately adj
vocatlng that which he had so vehe-
mently sought to destroy. When
man is saved there ought to be such
change as to cause the people to notice
it.
4. The Jews COMPOUNDED ". 2o).
Saul retired into Arabia for three
years. During this time he was taught
the full truths of his ministry (Gal.
i :17-18). Saul increased in spiritual
strength and COMPOUNDED the Jews,
proving that Jesus was not only the
Son of God, but their Messiah
IL. Saul Escapes From the Jews wv.
2s-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 became known to the dis.
ciples, they let him down at night in
a basket by the wall.
III. Saul Visits Jerusalem wv.
26-29).
This journey to Jerusalem was in
strange contrast with the one from
jerusalem to Damascus. The one was
as a lea3es Of an important expedition
under the authority OF tie Jewish Of
1cers with the prospect of place of
distinction in the council of the Jew
ish nation. Now he is an outcast, dis
owned by his countrymen, and fleeing
for his life These are the outward
circumstances, but he knows the fell
lowship of the Lord Jesus whom he
once hated.
L. Suspected by the Disciples ".
26).
The believers at Jerusalem had not
heard fully about Saul's conversion.
They knew nothing of his sojourn in
Arabia, and his preaching at Damas-
Gus after his return Therefore they
regarded him as a spy. Part of the
penalty of wrongdoing is the difficulty
of restoration in the good opinion Of
honorable men"
Q. Barnabas' Confidence in Saul ".
27).
Barnabas was man filled with the
Holy Spirit (Acts IL :24) and therefore
able to discern the reality of Saul's
conversion. He was in reality "son
of consolation" and here showed his
kind spirit.
8. Saul in Fellowship With the Dis
ciples ". 28).
He was not content merely to visit
with the brethren He spoke boldly in
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
~. Saul Sent to Tarsus ". 30).
A conspiracy similar to that one at
Damascus was formed against Saul.
When the brethren knew of 1t they
sent him to Tarsus. Saurs life was
in danger everywhere except among
the Gentiles. He now is back to the
place of his birth. The first and best
place for ones testimony is in his
home. Sauls conversion was typical
Of the conversion Of the Jewish nation.
Their eyes viii he opened by a per
sonal revelation Of Jesus Christ to
them, and when they accept Him as
their Savior and Messiah, they will 60
forth as witnesses 10 the Gentiles.